Rather than being held in Sydney, as it has every year since 2005, it has split up into two regional championships: East, which is basically the Open/Women's Eastern and Northern regions, and South, which is everywhere else.
This is a change for the better. Given the recent explosion in youth ultimate, continuing to hold Nationals in Sydney would have turned the event, which is really about development and recruitment, into a stifling exercise. It's hard enough to justify the expense and hassle for a junior to get to Sydney from Melbourne, let alone kids travelling from Perth, Darwin and Adelaide.
It's also a step towards my junior development-related Final Solution - regional youth tournaments acting as the basis for selecting merit teams from each state to compete at a roving Youth Nationals event every year.
If you're a player or coach I'd encourage you to get involved. Volunteer to help out at regionals, coach a youth team, or just teach your younger siblings how to forehand. Every new face to the sport could be the next John McNaughton or Ju Birchall.
1 comment:
Get your own ideas, champ.
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