Non Playing members in boxes - RANT

Ed Hall · Joined: 07 Aug 2007 Posts: 7 Location: Southampton

As the ladder organiser I am becoming steadily disallusioned as regards the amount of matches NOT played per month, and this is echoed by the amount of e-mails and calls I am getting from keen box players.

I have tried to seperate the Premiership players into their own box away from us mere mortals and to be honest we all know they were not going to participate in the ladders anyway, but we are still getting a lot of unplayed ladder matches leaving a lot of frustrated keen box players.

On this basis the box format WILL change starting 2008 and whilst I have my own ideas however any suggestions are welcome.

Let me know your ideas by Mid December otherwise I will just go with my new system - details to follow!

Wayne · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 25

You're in a no win situation. No matter what you do, it will suit some and not others. People want to be in the ladder to get regular games, but usually can't be bothered to arrange them themselves, they will play if there opponent organises it.

It is also the inevitable consequence of forcing players to play in the ladder, or they can't represent the club. Due to lack of playing, players get moved down to a level where they feel it's not worth them playing, so it spirals down. Unfortunately your idea of penalising them will give them even less incentive to participate - they just won't play and will wait until they are thrown out.

Ladders should be used as a guide to selecting team players, not a criteria.

The real question about ladders is: Do you want large non active ladders or smaller active ladders? I think that we want both.

So here are my suggestions
Have 2 ladders.
The 1st is a straight ladders, not boxed with all TSC members on the
ladder - anyone can play anyone within + or - 5 of their current
position - no-one has to play, it's up to them. I've got a points
system for promotion/ relegation for this, so it can easily be done on
excel.

The 2nd is a boxed ladder, as we have now, but if you don't play for a
month then you are removed from the ladder. You can challenge in (or
request re-entry by buying the organiser a drink), but the highest that you can
go back in is 1 box below where you were removed from.

Also for the boxed ladder, put all players that complete all of their
matches into a free draw, for £10ish worth of bar vouchers, or free
courts. Rolling Eyes