worlds 2008

First of all, the info came from NZ and I don't think they are hosting unless Durban has moved over a continent. I think the message meant one mens and one womens team for elite. I also assume there will be a masters division, but I won't know until I hear from SA. Stop jumping to conclusions and going even further. I will stick my neck out and say I am SURE it will be the same as always: divisions possible but not guaranteed: elite men, elite women, open juniors, women juniors (all juniors under age 19), open masters (over age 35) and women masters (over age 32). All usually depends on entry interest and pool time and $$$$$$$. I am also SURE each country, as USUAL, may enter one team in each division. It was merely careless wording - creating mass hysteria and utter panic. Everyone calm down please.

Carol

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Carol Rose

For those that missed it, above is the link to the website refered to originally. The information did not come from NZ, it came from the offical worlds web site. Also on that website is an email address for querries, quoteFor any queries please feel free to contact our tournament management on : info@uwhworlds2008.net unquote. Once the organisers have more info, I am sure they will post it. Less jumping (to conclusions), more hockey.

Review of my records show that NZ paid

Entry Fee Data
Calgary- NZD $4508.55 (I think this was due to a poor exchange rate at the time with CanD)
Christchurch- NZD $3000 Jnr Comp fee
Sheffield NZD-3118.39
Durban NZD- $4800 approx but includes partial subsidy of USD$1000 per top 12 referees.

Addressing the 3 games in a day as I can only see this happening once we start to get over 20 countries in the Mens and 16 Countries in the Womens and Age Group Grades of 10 countries or more. This is still a long way off. The draw at Sheffield had plenty of possibility of being condensed as the playing hours were for most days 8am till 5pm and many countries only played one game on a few days during the round robin.

For less than 16 teams we can also look at the possibility of having two groups (with the top 10 countries seeded into the different groups) to produce seedings for the quarter finals.

Alternatively (for 16 or more) we could have 4 seeding groups with the top two in each group carrying points and moving into a super eight scenio and playing the other 6 teams that qualify through. Using 16 teams then the teams would all get 3 games in RR stage, 6 Games in Super Stage and 3 games for the playoffs. This would all fit into the 5.5 days for RR games and 2.5 days for Knockout as stipulated in the old 9.2 version Rule Book.

The Junior and Elite comment may be because of a discussion about development of Juniors and a possibility of Juniors playing in the Elite B divisions then extracting out at the knockout stage to their own separate grade as at present it seems only SAF and NZ have junior teams to attend Durban so a lot of money to play one team. Remi- Is France sending Juniors?

This scenio has been discussed with the NZ U19 Girls squad and NZ U19 Boys Coach to see what they would prefer. Both groups are keen on playing in an elite B competition as its better for their development and gives them more variety of teams to play. All of the above depends on the number of teams entering.

Perhaps the discussion should be held on how to increase the participation at a World Level with the introduction of a (future qualifying) system of international tournaments?

These tournaments could be localised to reduce travel cost eg Bushy's invite to play in Singapore could be that we have the Trans Tasman/ SHC Championships in Singapore some time in the future. The top 3-4 teams qualify for the Worlds the following year. This event would include Singapore, Japan, Philipines, NZ, AUS and perhaps SAF plus any other Asian Country currently playing. This tournament could be a Junior Worlds & Elite Qualification then two years later another tournament Say Euros is the Junior Worlds & Elite Qualification.

The ideas are endless and not pie in the sky stuff. All it would take is a bit of organisation and thinking how can we grow the sport.

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Tristan Reynard
Schools/Chair
Underwater Hockey NZ
www.underwaterhockey.org.nz

i thought canada were sending a juniors team?

australia will more then likely have a side - finances being the main problem for most players; but this can be sorted out.

no other countries are sending junior teams? USA? UK?

I can only speak for USA (and I heard same fromm GB) - it is the timing. I cannot get kids out of school for a week or more, travel to SA takes time too, during school year, and this tournament is late in our school year. We would love to send a team but ..........

Carol

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Carol Rose

Carol is correct about UK U19 teams, although there has been talk of a scratch Open U19 team.

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GB National Squads Manager (also Open Master & Ladies Elite)

British Underwater Sports Association President

There is a scratch open U19 team... does that mean like any kids from any country will just come together to make a team???
and also CANADA will have a Junior team at worlds. guaranteed

Question: Why do we continue to play with a pool of A teams? Why don't we split into two equal pools (or more depending on the number of teams) and then have cross finals depending on your seeding after the group games.

Advantages:
- Shorter tournament
- More chance for B pool teams to get exposure

Disadvantages:
- Less top hockey for the current A teams

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Faster than a speeding puck...

Sup fellow UW peeps...

Just thawt i'd say hi from SA and hope 2 see u peeps down in durbs next yr for worlds... its gonna be hectic...

Hi,


The organisers confirmed to me that there will be Masters divisions.



CU in Durban.



keith

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GB National Squads Manager (also Open Master & Ladies Elite)

British Underwater Sports Association President