Dec 2003

What follows are the thoughts of the Registration Secretary, not of the Committee in general.
It is posted chiefly to get people thinking about how we compete in the league and whether it can be improved.
Any moans / groans should only be directed to the Registration Sec on the TT Forum

Ok, so Part 1 seems to have some major stumbling blocks for some of the smaller clubs which probably makes it unworkable.

However, Part 2 which I will discuss here could be used together either with Part 1 or just on it's own.

At present, the League plays 5 divisions of 14 teams (catering for a maximum of 70). We only have 61 teams this season, which results in several Blank teams, with a disproportionate number of these in Division 4.
A few seasons back we changed the divisions to 12 teams, this resulted in a shorter season - starting later, a longer mid-season break over Christmas, and obviously an earlier finish. There were some benifits from this - we still have a longer mid-season break despite having reverted back to 14 team divisions.
It didn't however, go quite far enough to knock the Blank team problem on the head.

A Question or two for you:
How many teams are just going through the motions by Christmas with the existing Divisional system?
Is promotion already out of reach?
Is it already pretty obvious who will be relegated and promoted?

What I propose is to reduce the no. of teams per division even further:

• Each Division would be made up of 7 Teams.
• Each Team would play other Teams of their division twice (Home and Away) over 12 weeks.
• Effectively 2 seasons will be played over 1 of our existing seasons.
• The first season will run from September to Christmas over 12 weeks.
• The second season will run from New Year to March / April, also over 12 weeks.
• From our existing 61 Teams we would create 9 Divisions. (A few divisions may require 1 Blank week - but no more than one!).
• At the end of each season, two teams will be promoted and 2 teams relegated.
• Only those teams finishing First will be awarded Trophies. (No Runners up, but the same same no. of Trophies are still awarded).
• The AGM would still recognise the season running from Sept - May, but effectively cover two mini seasons.
• Player Registration and Team Secretaries would apply for 2 'new' seasons.
• Team and Player fees would stay the same and cover 2 'new' seasons.
• The Handbook would be issued once - at the September start.
• The Handbook would contain a list of all teams in the league, and will be valid for 2 'new' seasons (Sept - May).
• Teams assigned to each division would be published with the new Handbook, and then again by mail (and web site) for the session after Christmas .

What are the Benefits?

• Each division would be made up of more evenly matched Teams.
• More Teams would be actively involved in Promotion / Relegation issues (4 out of the 7).
• Blank weeks and the addition of new teams would be more effectively managed.
• A slightly shorter season, but long enough to cope with rearranged matches.

What are the Cons?