Club Champs

[Question]

Is it true that the club champs clash with essen? why is this?

[Laurel]

According to current calendars this is certainly true. I have no insight into the scheduling of club champs, but at a guess I would suggest it might be due to the fact that size of club champs means it needs to be held over 3 days to give teams adequate game time and fair results. There are not a huge number of dates available that would allow a three day tournament, and this would therefore be dictated by available, suitable bank holidays.

Essen is also a three day tournament, and is always based around a 'bank holiday' equivalent in Germany. It seems it is unfortunate that this year those two clashed.

As someone who would in usual circumstances play in both tournaments I do think it is unfortunate - and I know GB squads traditionally compete in Essen. Presumably that will not be the case this year, as BCU seem to be encouraging players to prioritise club champs?

[JOHN THOMPSON]

Who wants to play at the club champs when you play the same teams about 20 times or play the best teams in Europe?Tough decision-NOT:mad:

[Samantha Barden]

Who wants to play at the club champs?

I do!!!! Club Champs winners are then eligible to play in the Euro Club Champs where you play the best teams in Europe so either way you play the best teams! :)

The Club Champs is our national event. It is held on the same weekend every year (last full weekend of May). It is held on the bank holiday weekend so that if it needs to run into a third day it can do so.

Germany move their bank holiday weekend every year to coincide with the religious festival of Pentecost (Whitsun). As Pentecost follows a lunar cycle the German bank holiday weekend can move significantly over the space of a few years. Essen takes place on that weekend and therefore the tournament moves every year (e.g last year Pentecost was the first weekend of June). Unfortunately this year Essen clashes with Club Champs.

We cannot move what is one of our national events which takes place the same weekend every year for the rare occurance of it clashing with an International tournament.

I agree that it is disappointing :( Essen is a very high calibre tournament however we must stick by our own National Calendar. Ultimately the choice is down to individual teams as to which tournament they play.

[curious]

Can anybody confirm if the GB squads will be going to Essen as usual or if they will be staying home to support the National Tournament?

[Guest Me]

staying home

[JOHN THOMPSON]

Thanks Samantha for that very boring long winded explanation about the Greman Lunar cycle or something????
Anyway the club champs,what prizes are open to the winners this year,maybe another plastic bottle top on a bit of red,white and blue ribbon OR a small wooden boat with an estimated cost of about 30 pence,yipeeeee book me in,i'm there.
:p

[Chris Benson]

John your attitude stinks !!

Club Champs is the show event for British polo, rather than mock the prizes appreciate their significance. & If you are so bothered about the size of trophy available encourage people to donate to our Exec. who do a really good job for us with limited finances .

Less negative stuff people . Thanks Sam ..

Chris Benson ( FOA Lpool )

[JOHN THOMPSON]

Mr Belson why do we pay comp fees etc for tat prizes?I agrea that yes to be good enough to win the club champs would be awesome,but imagine the great few who have,they go back to work or college or school the following day and then?
Non polo player friend=How did the canoeing go at the week end?
New national polo champ=Oh we won ,thanks it was great.
Non polo player friend=What did you win,a gold medal?
New national polo champ=Yes sort of,erm?
Non polo player friend=Bring it in i'd love to see it,you worked so hard this year,you must be proud?
New national polo champ=I have it here,what do you think?
Non polo player friend=Is that it,what is it,did you spend all week end in the freezing cold on a lake for that,you must be mad,you could have went to that place in Germany,i think it's called Essen.They have great prizes there and i believe that standard is very high.I think they hold it near to our bank holiday,when they have a lunar cycle or something?
New national polo champ=Cheers(feels bad,wind knocked out of sails)

Now can you see Mr Belson,how can we raise the profile of our sport?
As for your friend Sam,she and you must be on the polo comitee together,
having a jolly good time rah rah rah etc.
:thumbdown

[SirPatrickMoore]

Salutations from the Gamesmaster!!

For many years have I observed the night sky from my humble observatory and I can confirm that the tournament of Essen does indeed coincide with the mysterious lunar cycle of which my good colleague Samantha speaks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/olmedia/1355000/images/_1356919_moore150.jpg

[JOHN THOMPSON]

Thanks Patrick for that,hows your bro Bobby these days:wavey:

[Ze German]

Sam, thanks for your explanation... that makes sense. :thumbup:

Aren't all prizes symbolic? :confused: Who cares whether it's a :trophy: or a little wooden boat? If anything I would prefer a wooden boat because I can put it on a shelf in my lounge. Polo players will recognise it... and other people won't think "What a show off... trophies everywhere!"

My best prize I won at a comp to date was a polo ball and some straps by the way... whenever I use either, I think of Cancer Challenge 2006... thanks guys... :) (and yes, I have won a silver pot and a bit of plastic etc...)

My :twocents:

zG

[Guest Me2]

With an attitude like John's lets hope he does go to Essen - they are welcome to him.

[Chris Benson]

Guest Me2 / Ze German . Subscribers to this thread !

Id just like to make one thing clear, my comment about Johns attitude was a comment made in the heat of the moment. I was a little set back, besmirched if you like and i apologise .

I really really dont want this to snowball into a I HATE JOHN THOMPSON campaign !!

Johns has every right to air his opinion .

Thanks

Chris Benson ( FOA Lpool )

[Guest Me3]

What's up?
John’s attitude does stink!
His question was answered fully and accurately by the looks of it. It wasn’t “very boring long winded“. So why has he continued to put the event down.

John – Why would the Greman Lunar cycle be different to ours?
John - If you don't want to go, shut up. If you want it to be different then put in some effort and _VOLUNTEER_.

[JOHN THOMPSON]

Yes thanks Chris i do have an opinion don't I and I will raise it.I was just trying to raise what most people think anyway,when at the British champs you have to play the same team several times.
Also the German lunar cycle is different than ours otherwise it would be called the British lunar cycle.
Anyway thanks mr or mrs or ms guest for logging on :thumbdown

[Guest Me4]

Yes thanks Chris i do have an opinion don't I and I will raise it.I was just trying to raise what most people think anyway,when at the British champs you have to play the same team several times.
Also the German lunar cycle is different than ours otherwise it would be called the British lunar cycle.
Anyway thanks mr or mrs or ms guest for logging on :thumbdown



You may have an opinion. But why do you need to show such descent to the people that organise these events for us?
Do you think your comments help?
So in your opinion how should the event be run and what prizes do you want?

Have you ever one a prize from the club champs? Told your mates that you are the national champions of a sport that no one has heard of? Do you want the price of the event to go up?

Griping gets no where, constructive criticism may get you some where. Think about it.

[Chris Benson]

Guest Me ?!

If we are talking about being constructive, then you posting on theis thread is not helping.

If you have a personal dispute with John take that up some where else .

This was a serious issue thread and is in the serious part of this forum, i suggest when making future comments you either sign in as your real identity or restrict your 'banter' to the off the water section of this site !

Otherwise the purpose of this site will be lost !! It serves as a great medium to many of us.

Chris Benson ( FOA Lpool )

[Scouse Dog]

Hello friends, friends there is no need to quarrel we should all be gay and happy not fighting with each other. I have to admit I have had my run-ins with Mr T in the past - remember when I turned up at the town hall to celebrate the great achievements of many a fine paddler and no-one was there - that was a nasty trick. However if I can forgive and forget then so can everyone else. I think TOMMO has lots of interesting things to tell us. I can't abide these people who do not post under their own name - sure I may use a name which sounds foreign to lots of you out there but rest assured I am well respected bythe pantheon of great Allonby boatmen such as:

Richie the Raptor
Clip Watkinopolis
Dinny Ronaldo
Leski
Keith Chegwin

These men truly are the king of kings.

P.S. It's my birthday today :) 27 years young - and don't look a day over 35 :P

[Ooooo]

Come on all of you.
If this is a "serious issue thread". Why has it become so negative?

Comments like this are not serious:
"very boring long winded explanation about the Greman Lunar cycle or something????"

"As for your friend Sam, she and you must be on the polo comitee together,
having a jolly good time rah rah rah etc."

"John your attitude stinks !!"

"John’s attitude does stink!"


There is much that is constructive on this thread. Why's that?
Ze German comments are, and I do agree with him.

I thought canoepolo.com was a soap box for any one and every one so say and do what ever they wanted?

Is any one going to contribute to our sport that no one knows about? I can’t be arsed.

[Ivanthorn]

You are absolutely correct, this should be a forum where construction observations, suggestions, etc. are put forward and discussed, it does all too often end up with one person having a go at another(s), which is blatently ridiculous and a complete waste of time and effort; and, from my own observations, a significant factor in the current status of our sport, i.e. one that is hardly known outside it's own membership and related disciplines (but not the only factor).

However, why come on anonymously? This sort of looks like someone stating that something should be done
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by someone else.

I, for my tuppence (and to avoid rebuke) served several years on the committee whilst living in the Midlands and have worked hard to attain a odicum of refereeing ability, both areas which, sadly, now being back in the N.E. suffer through a general decline in the Sport up here (hopefully something which can be fixed????).

Recently there was a general thread over corner taking; I even joined in until it also turned into a witch hunt turning what could have been a lively debate into a schoolground argument. Pointless.

Anyway, point is, if you have an opinion, make it, own it and do it in a fashion not to put someone else down.

Cheers

Bye:wavey:

[Laurel]

I do think far too many people are more willing to criticise than to make positive suggestions or actually bother to do something about that which they are critical of. It is impossible to please everyone, but I personally believe that the Committee work hard to do what they, within the restrictions of their time and resources, think is best for polo. If you disagree and have ideas for improvement, then why not stand for the committee yourself next year, and get a chance to make a real impact? Believe me, being on such committees is mostly a thankless task - however hard you work, and whatever you achieve, people are more willing to be critical than to ever offer helpful suggestions or say "thank you". If everyone (like Ivanthorn) took their turn at some point in trying to make a positive difference, the load wouldn't have to be carried by so few, and people would have more sense of ownership of their sport.

As for the issue of prizes, well, who wouldn't like more rewards for their efforts and achievements? However, Canoe Polo is not (yet? there's wishful thinking!) a profession sport with large sponsors, and most people compete for either the pure pleasure or the challenge of seeing what they, individually, can achieve through dedication and hard training. Anyway, the trophies at last year's club champs weren't dissimilar to those at some Internationals (I'm not sure about Essen, I haven't been lucky enough to win anything there!).

Club champs is a chance to compete against other top British teams, who are some of the best teams in the world - witness the fact that FOA ladies won the European club champs last year, and remember that club teams are not unknown to do exceptionally well against National teams at some international competitions (I remember a club team beating their own National team at Ieper the year before last). It is also a chance to qualify for European club champs. Moreover, it is a fun, sociable weekend at a venue with good facilities, and is not too far for most people to travel. So yes, it is a pity it clashes with Essen this year, but there are still many reasons for teams to compete at and enjoy club champs, and there are many other Internationals to attend over the year.

As for posting anonymously, remember that most people are far more likely to respect you and your opinion (even if they disagree with you) if you are willing to claim it as your own.

[Club-Champs-Org]

I am sure we would all like to thank Mr Thompson for his words of encouragement to the Club Champs organising team who do this voluntarily and give up their own time to organise this event, it makes it all worthwhile:mad:

Perhaps those people that have something to winge about the way the canoe polo committee run event's should turn up to the open forum at the Club Champs and air there views? or even the AGM?

About once every four years it may be that the Club Champs coincides with Essen, this is unfortunate but the Club Champs date is fixed in the UK & International calendar as being the first UK event of the new season.

If anyone has some constructive input please feel free to email me club-champs-organiser@canoepolo.org.uk

For those of you that support and would like to take part in this event, the entry forms will be available to download off the www.canoepolo.org.uk (http://www.canoepolo.org.uk) website early next week.

I would like thank all the teams that have taken part in the past few years of me organising the event with the rest of my hard working team and welcome you all to this years event.


Thanks

Graeme
Club Champs Organiser

[Aaron Fear-Ross]

Well said

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi all

The entry form for this years National Club Champs can be downloaded at www.canoepolo.org.uk (http://www.canoepolo.org.uk)

Cheers

Graeme

[peter lineham]

Hi Graema thinks for all the hard work you and all your helpers put in to run the club champs.
But will the club champs be run over two or three days this year? As in the past its been on a bank holiday weekend and its only been over 2 days.

Peter

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi Peter, thanks for that.

We will not know for sure if it is going to be a two or three day event until all the entries are in, if we have entries from more non national league clubs and Universities then it could go to three days, if we have the normal 50ish teams it will stay as two days.

Sorry I can not give you a more definate answer than this at the moment.

Cheers

Graeme

[Ivanthorn]

Hi,

To reiterate my learned colleagues thanks and congratulations on a perenially successful tournament. Ta.

Sorry, whats the deadline, we have comp this weekend but are likely to be demoted so probably will be in pub not thinking about summer and want to make sure we don't miss out as comps likely to be a bit thin on the ground this year?

Cheers:confused:

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi,

To reiterate my learned colleagues thanks and congratulations on a perenially successful tournament. Ta.

Sorry, whats the deadline,

Hi Ivan

Thanks, the reason it is a success is largely down to the players and teams who give us a great amount of support by being ready to play and are nearly always there on time to ref/timekeep ;) thanks girl's & guy's :thumbup:

The deadline for entries is Monday 30th April, which is one week after BUSA to give the Uni teams a chance to enter.

We have got somewhat restricted camping this year due to the changes and new build at HWP and there is only 49 pitches available, so people with motorhomes or caravans must book quick with HWP on 01302 841572 stating that you are with the Club Champs, that way we will get exclusive use of the campsite that weekend.

Good luck for the weekend, hope you don't have reason to get too drunk except to celebrate ;)

Graeme

[Forgotusername]

Just a thought but aren't there likely to be more than 49 teams attending the weekend? At a guess each team will have more than one tent? And if my maths serves me correctly that isn't going to work out to well?! What are those who do not get camping space expected to do? I don't imagine that many will be willing to pay for hotels, though I don't imagine that there are that many hotels in the area??

Maybe this isn't the greatest venue for the club champs if thats all the camping they can off and a new venus should be looked into for next year.

On a similar point, in the past there has been even more people camping at BUSA at the same venue, how are they getting round the camping issue?

[Club-Champs-Org]

Perhaps if you had read the thread properly you would see that,
"there is only 49 pitches available, so people with motorhomes or caravans must book quick with HWP" there is plenty of room for the amount of tents that have normally arrived in the past and we can always accomodate more than this.

Graeme

[forgotusername]

No probs, but why then, on the entry form does it say, and i quote, 'please note there are only 49 pitches available for camping' and on canoepolo.org.uk it say, and i quote again, 'Due to the changes at Hatfield Water Park the camping is restricted to only 49 pitches'

Not sure what everyone else thinks but that reads camping which is usually done in a tent? not a motorhome/caravan?

Maybe before telling others to read things properly, they should be written properly to aviod confusion in the first place?!

Though thanks for letting us know where we stand regarding camping.

[Barabus]

Am I right in thinking that until the entry deadline has passed on 30th April, less than a month before the event, nobody knows whether the it will run into a third day?

Unless I've misunderstood, I don't think that gives people enough notice. Obviously it's not something that can be addressed this late in the day but I just wanted to make the comment so that it might be considered in future years.

I'm not meaning to have a go at the people who are giving up their time to organise it but I think it's worth pointing out that a lot of people at school or uni have exams around this time so it's desirable to have as much notice as possible.

Thanks.

[Club-Champs-Org]

Perhaps if teams did not wait till the last minute to enter we would all know well before the deadline? We could always make the deadline a month earlier this would help us, but could cause problems for teams due to the earlier date.

Just a reminder that entries close on the 30th April, it would make our job easier if teams could get their entries in in the next week please.

Thanks

Graeme

[Barabus]

I agree but why not 3 or 4 months earlier? Tournaments like Ypres have entry dates way in advance usually end up over subscribed. If teams don't get their entry in then they don't get to play. That's the whole point of a deadline.

I probably seem a little agitated but I think it's justified given that my exams start the Wednesday after the tournament and I still don't know what I'll be doing on the Monday.

Thanks for your response though.

[Club-Champs-Org]

Sorry but it has been this way for a lot of years now

[Club-Champs-Org]

Entries close on the 30th April :wavey:

Then we will all know how many day's we are commited to :thumbup:

[Ivanthorn]

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply, we only just have confirmation that we have a team that can attend!!!!!!

Anyhow, is it possible to enter electronically (i.e. will Curly accept electronic transfer of funds)? or should I just get me butt in gear and post it off rapido like everyone else????

Regards

Ivan

[Club-Champs-Org]

Sorry Ivan we don't have the facilities available for electronic entries, so I am afraid lick it and stick it in the post :eek:

Cheers

Graeme

[Aaron Fear-Ross]

Good idea for future years though...in it's most basic form it would simply be a matter of publishing the bank details for the funds and an appropriate email address for the entry...I know that we would have had our entry in far earlier if this had been available.

[Club-Champs-Org]

Entries that have arrived for this years event have confirmed that we will only be running a two day event on the Saturday & Sunday this year.

We are dissapointed in the fact that there are not many Div 3/4 teams entered and not one Div 2 ladies team? this is an ideal opportunity for players to gain experiance at the start of the new season :confused:

Thank you to all that have stipulated the number of tent's you are bringing, you will all be accomodated on site. :thumbup:

See you all in a month's time :wavey:

Graeme

[hudman]

I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn but from my time at ULU i remember thinking Club champs were aimed at the higher levels of the game and not really for Div 3/4 players.

Having now played in 3(?) the emphasis does seem to be at the div 1/2 standard but I imagine that's simply because of the lack of div 3 and below teams.

Would the introduction of a 2nd league encourage more teams in or would that lose the point of being a National Club championship?

I do know that when I was starting I wouldn't want to come up against soem of the Meridian boys or worse still the Welshies......that Lineham clan are a scary lookin bunch!!

[Ze German]

We are dissapointed in the fact that there are not many Div 3/4 teams entered and not one Div 2 ladies team?

Maybe they are all going to Essen instead? Playing higher quality games and getting real prices? ;) and probably getting fined €€€s for reffing in dark blue trousers and other silly offences... :eek:

Sorry guys, I tried to get ULU teams together... but this being in the middle of exams for many, I didn't manage to get the required numbers... I guess other uni teams might have had similar issues? Maybe next year? :wavey:

[Club-Champs-Org]

I don't know if I'm speaking out of turn but from my time at ULU i remember thinking Club champs were aimed at the higher levels of the game and not really for Div 3/4 players.

Having now played in 3(?) the emphasis does seem to be at the div 1/2 standard but I imagine that's simply because of the lack of div 3 and below teams.

Would the introduction of a 2nd league encourage more teams in or would that lose the point of being a National Club championship?

I do know that when I was starting I wouldn't want to come up against soem of the Meridian boys or worse still the Welshies......that Lineham clan are a scary lookin bunch!!

We do run seperate leagues so it does accomodate for the Div 3/4 and investment league teams (those that do not play national but only regional). The Div 1/2 teams are the ones that will play in the Europeans so there are alway's good numbers entering for these div's. The Club Champs itself is exactly what it say's although there are prizes for the individual leagues the overall Club Champs winning team is the one that has scored the most points over the weekend between all its teams, so if a club entered teams in all the div's they would stand a good chance of being the Club Champions, where as a club that only enters one team will not get enough points (as defined on page 39 of the yearbook).

Anyway, I thought we had nearly converted you to a Yorkshireman now? so you should not be afraid of the southerners and the people from over the borders now;) Our WR ladies team I believe is playing open this year and they are not scared :ninja:

Graeme

[Club-Champs-Org]

Maybe they are all going to Essen instead? Playing higher quality games and getting real prices? ;) and probably getting fined €€€s for reffing in dark blue trousers and other silly offences... :eek:

Sorry guys, I tried to get ULU teams together... but this being in the middle of exams for many, I didn't manage to get the required numbers... I guess other uni teams might have had similar issues? Maybe next year? :wavey:

Maybe some teams will go to Essen this year but that is unfortunate, I do hear what you say about exams for the uni teams, but you can't beat a bit of relaxation before exams and what better way than relaxing than playing polo and having a good time :rolleyes:

Graeme

[RachD]

but you can't beat a bit of relaxation before exams and what better way than relaxing than playing polo and having a good time :rolleyes:

Graeme

I agree with that, weekends are for playing and having fun. Not stressing about revision.

[hudman]

Anyway, I thought we had nearly converted you to a Yorkshireman now? so you should not be afraid of the southerners and the people from over the borders now;) Our WR ladies team I believe is playing open this year and they are not scared :ninja:

Graeme

I have got the flat cap....no whippet as yet!

It is true that I am less scared of the welshies now.......the WR ladies however..........!!!! No comment!!:waah:

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi all

The groups for the 2007 event are now available on www.canoepolo.org.uk (http://www.canoepolo.org.uk) and for your benefit are also attached :thumbup:

Hatfield Water Park at this time does not have any on-site catering so I have arranged for a mobile catering unit to be available on-site over the weekend, doing all your favourites, bacon butties, sausage sandwiches, burgers, jacket potatoes with fillings, hot & cold drinks and freshly made sandwiches and pasta and not forgeting chips! They will be on-site Saturday and Sunday so I am afraid you will have to make your own arrangements for Friday night and Monday morning if you are staying over. I will publish with the information sheet a list of nearby fish & chip, kebab and pizza shops for the evenings.

Graeme

[Ze German]

I agree with that, weekends are for playing and having fun. Not stressing about revision.

Completely! And the whole uni thing was more an observation/explanation than a request to change the date or anything... :)

On a different note, will there be a Level 2 Reffing theory course at Club Champs? I know I need quite a bit more practise before I would pass that... but I might as well do the theory part... and if I have to sit through it twice it will only make my reffing better, right? ;)

All that remains to be said otherwise is:

BRING IT ON! and that means both the polo and the beacon butties... :)

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi all

Attached is a general info sheet for the weekend with details of the camping, facilities on site and general rules for Hatfield Water Park and the event.

You may be reffing and timekeeping after your game so don't forget to bring suitable clothing down to the pitch with you ;)

See you all at the weekend :wavey:

Graeme

[Club-Champs-Org]

Attached is the provisional playlist for the weekend, this could be subject to change, so please check at the control cabin on Sturday for any updates.

Also pitch numbering and camping and carparking map.

Cheers

Graeme

[Fran16]

Just for info, as well as the Top Club, Open and Ladies championships at Doncaster this weekend mentioned in the event organisation notes, there is also the Youth Trophy to be played for, between Meridian and Viking Youth teams, who are also involved in the Open Level 2 tournament.

[Club-Champs-Org]

Should be a good match :)

Hot food and drinks will be available from about 7.00am on both Saturday and Sunday morning. The catering unit will be parked in front of the centre in the carpark area near the campsite.

Just a reminder no boats to be taken through the centre, the side gate to lakeside will be open from just before 8.30am on Saturday & Sunday. Please try and keep the walk ways clear.

Thanks

Graeme

[Pru_blyth2]

"the side gate to lakeside will be open from just before 8.30am on Saturday & Sunday."

can we paddle tonight? or is no one allowed on the water??:confused:
Pru :barbell:

[Club-Champs-Org]

can we paddle tonight? or is no one allowed on the water??:confused:
Pru :barbell:

No sorry no paddling tonight, you are allowed on the water 30 minutes before start of play and must be off the water 30 minutes after the end of play on both days.

All the info is in on the Info Sheet for you to download.

Cheers

Graeme

[Ze German]

So who won in the end? Had to run of as my lift had to get back...

Thanks Graeme and alll the others behind club champs... it was a super weekend... Good organisation and thanks for 7 games! :thumbup: nice one!

Only one grubble! Could you please order slightly nicer weather for next year? :rolleyes:

Thanks a lot... :)

zG

[Club-Champs-Org]

Hi ZG Thanks for that, sorry have no control over the weather yet :mad:

I would like to say thanks to all the ref's, timekeepers and teams for helping the event to run smoothly, Curly for doing the playsheets, Hatfield Water Park for the venue, Dave Brown from DB Xclusive and The Family Boat Shop for their sponsorship, Wendy, Cass, Heather & Sara for their help over the weekend setting and clearing up and inputing the results.

Attached are the final placing, the full results I will upload onto canopolo.org.uk.

Look forward to seeing you all again next year.

Graeme :wavey: