Download AGM feedback and proposals for 2014-15 document

National Leagues 2014-2015
Summary of AGM feedback and further
proposals
Top 4 Play Offs
•
•
•
•
Clubs did not want one off games at any stage
Clubs wanted a round robin format
Clubs wanted league winner after 18 games and lowest European
qualification place
Clubs wanted dispensation early season for tournaments
Marketing and Sponsorship Perspective
Hockey in Scotland requires vibrant, exciting, entertaining domestic
competitions and events to sell to sponsors, media and spectators. Without
this, the sport will struggle to attract any commercial investment, media buyin or spectator interest.
Friday Night Lights are not compulsory, but significant advantages to the
clubs, e.g. bar revenue, senior players free on Saturday to coach, rest of
club players able to watch first team, increase interest from other clubs who
can also watch.
A two-leg semi-final and final play-off format is exciting, entertaining and
keeps people talking and interested, including players, coaches, media and
sponsors, until the LAST games of the season (nobody was drifting off into
mid-season slumber last season).
A two leg SF means home clubs potentially have an event to sell to their
members, sponsors, local media, etc.
Possibility of clubs deciding to field weakened teams or not to compete in
play-offs if league title decided after 18 games and Europe not a
consideration.
Round Robin means probability of no fixed event i.e. no Grand
Final/Relegation Decider over a weekend, which equals damp-squib dead
rubbers and no event to sell to spectators, sponsors and media
League title after 18 games devalues play-offs product as a selling
proposition to sponsors, media and spectators. Creates possibility of rapid
diminishing interest, especially if round robin.
We need a league sponsor now; uncertainty and turbulence creates little
confidence among sponsors in the sport as a potential investment.
We are continuing to seek means of funding regular broadcast of hockey,
including play-offs. Something that was a real success last season. A
round-robin format with no event would make this incredibly difficult.
Summary of ‘AGM’ format
•
Advantages
•
•
•
Every league game counts
Could do one home tie and one away tie before central venue for final games
Disadvantages
•
•
•
•
•
Round robin is in fact a one off match against each team
No final event if games don’t go to seedings
Could be over before final game
Teams may settle for just getting into top 4 knowing they play each other again
Availability of international players through the season
•
Proposal
•
•
•
•
1 v 4 (A) and 2 v 3 (B) in best of 2
Winner of A v winner of B in best of 2 at the GNHC
League winner get a Euro spot only
Advantages
•
•
•
•
•
Prize for winning the league
Play offs with lots to play for
Minimise a big prize going to a team that may have won due to availability of
international players
We have an event to the last day although the last game could be meaningless if
the previous day was a big win
Clubs with facilities have a big game at home
Bottom 4 and Top 2 Division 2
•
Clubs did not want one off games at any stage
Clubs wanted a round robin format
5th and 6th finish their season at that point
Clubs wanted division 2 winner promoted (agreed)
•
Clubs wanted bottom of division 1 relegated (agreed)
•
Advantages
•
•
•
•
•
•
By having 5th and 6th safe, teams not in top 4 will play hard for these positions
(agreed)
Could do one home tie and one away tie before central venue for final games
Disadvantages
•
•
•
•
•
Round robin is in fact a one off match against each team
Example - if games go to seedings then the final match will be a one off game
between 9th and 2nd in div 2
No final event if games don’t go to seedings
Could be over before final game
Teams will settle for just getting into 7,8,9 if out of top 6
•
Proposal
•
7 v 2nd div 2 (A) and 8 v 9 (B) in best of 2
•
Loser of A v loser of B (C) in best of 2 at the GNHC
•
Loser of C is relegated
•
Advantages
•
No one off games
•
We have an event to the last day although the last game could be meaningless if
the previous day was a big win
•
Clubs with facilities have a big game at home
•
No settling for any position within 7,8,9 so less meaningless games through the
season
Dispensation
Clubs are given dispensation once for early season top level
tournaments
No dispensation given for indoor league, cup quarters onwards and
play offs
Application for dispensation needs to be made by 14th July
Dispensation for weddings need to be made 4 months in advance
Rearranged game needs to be played before the fixture date and on
one of the slip dates
Dispensation for funerals at the CEM discretion