MHBP future and shit.

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snottyotter
snottyotter's picture
MHBP future and shit.

It seems to be about time that we hand over control of our wee polo scene to people that can do a better job for the next wee period of time.

Personally I would love Neil to rediscover that part of him that has shaped manchester polo into what it is and supplement it with Andy's enthusiasm and someone elses support.

We need to get together again as a group and give a few people some sort of leadership. There was such a beautiful burst of activity last time we attempted to organise shit and time I think we have a better base to work from.

There is a good amount of "old" players and we have some new blood, I don't think we need to be as ambitious as we tried to be before, maybe we tried to be too close to what the LHBPA has. We can still do something that is casual enough to be throw ins for the old guard whilst nurturing the noobz.
A league is possible, noob days are possible, a little bit of organisation can lead to somewhere good to direct all the future players that we miss due to drunkenness and idiocracy.

I'd like to propose a meeting where everyone involved in Manchester polo (mancs, hebden,holmfirth and sheffield) pass on our steering group roles to new people. Some sort of voting would be sweet, I'm sure we can figure it out. I don't think that group needs to take on too much responsibility but it would probably help the whole scenen if there was some sort of direction and I'd fully support that in whatever way I can.

snottyotter
snottyotter's picture

Apologies for the brain fart but it needs to be moved across, if not to just get rid of any stigma attached to doing things without our "permission".

Neil
Neil's picture

Things that need attention/volunteers:

1. New goals - let's make some metal ones this time. Can we fund this through a collection or similar to the Light Club? I can get some made but I'm sure there are others who can too/cheaper etc.
2. Repair boards - the current ones need remounting and checking over otherwise they will turn to shit over the winter. Work party + tools + 3 hours.
3. New boards - let's raise funds for goal ends and corner boards now... the rebound goals are getting ridiculous!
4. Christmas social/end of year thing - can we have an awards dinner?? Someone organise it! Sandbar room?? Bring own turkey/soya?? Get other cycle groups to come out too??
5. Merch - get it ready now for 2014..
6. Web presence plan and upgrade.
7. Winter team games... new player coaching... old player coaching... ;-)
8. > Add more here <

andytk
andytk's picture
Neil wrote:

Things that need attention/volunteers:

1. New goals - let's make some metal ones this time. Can we fund this through a collection or similar to the Light Club? I can get some made but I'm sure there are others who can too/cheaper etc.

This was discussed at length last night. You mentioned having a contact who could make some, would you be able to get a quote? Alan has also suggested a system used for scaffolding and is looking into the cost of that (seems cheap). I have created a separate goal thread and we can look at shape/format/netting. See point about funds at the bottom.

Quote:

2. Repair boards - the current ones need remounting and checking over otherwise they will turn to shit over the winter. Work party + tools + 3 hours.

Happy to help with this, have a cordless drill - not sure how the battery pack is. Sundays might be our best bet here and beginners can get involved too.

Quote:

3. New boards - let's raise funds for goal ends and corner boards now... the rebound goals are getting ridiculous!

Agreed. Do you know roughly how much it would cost to run similar boards across the back? Again, see point about funds at the bottom.

Quote:

4. Christmas social/end of year thing - can we have an awards dinner?? Someone organise it! Sandbar room?? Bring own turkey/soya?? Get other cycle groups to come out too??
5. Merch - get it ready now for 2014..
6. Web presence plan and upgrade.
7. Winter team games... new player coaching... old player coaching... ;-)
8. > Add more here <

Agree with these too, may know someone who can print koozies...

Tournaments: I plan on organising another ABC tournament (possibly around September-October depending on when the big tournaments fall) and a SHITE if Edinburgh don't step up for 'Infinite SHIT' in April. I would like to see and happy to help organise another 2day invitational (like North vs South).

Funds: Our priority over the next couple of weeks needs to be getting money together for the lights. It seems most people I've spoken to feel that asking non-LTBLC members for a small donation on weeks they play (or an upfront donation if that's easier) is acceptable and shouldn't result in anyone paying more than LTBLC membership... This can be collected and then either allocated towards boards/goals/balls etc. or put towards the next lighting bill and LTBLC membership can be opened up again for another 6 months. I'm happy to handle this if it all goes to plan this time around.

Low risk funding alternatives: whip around for goals/boards, tournament entry fees and allocate 50% prizes 50% boards/goals, run a fundraising/social event - polocat/bake sale/whatever... and try and combine it with getting beginners down (more likely to work when the weather improves)

Neil
Neil's picture

Re. Tournaments

Yes - I think another spring classic a la N v S is important nationally, as it takes the pressure off Manchester to organise something bigger (and beyond our realistic resources right now) during the national 'season'.

I would also like to host a European-wide Masters tournament similar to the one held in Indianapolis. This would be either 2 players of 3 ages add to more than 70 or combined ages of all 3 more than 99.

Neil
Neil's picture

I think it important that we finally form some teams that can play in a fledgling winter league - it really doesn't mattter what the make up is or who wins. Manchester teams are inconsistent in national tournies because we are below standard at team play under tournament pressures. There is only so much one can learn from only playing throw ins and from then on it is merely reinforcing bad habits and is counter-productive to real team-play > eg. Rob and passing * cough * <

Alan - can you organise say 4 or 5 teams and a format (eg. Best of 3 x 12 minute reffed games) to sign up to say 8 weeks of matches? These could be every Tuesday or Thursday depending on fuxture lists/ availability.

Alan
Alan's picture

I have suggested using Key Clamp (or similar). You will have seen this around, it is often used for things like handrails. We can assemble / adjust / repair ourselves and it is demountable if necessary. We will need 12 x 90 degree connectors and some lengths of straight galvanised tube. We should be able to carry the nets over. I will price this up next week.

Question: Is there a regulation goal size?

Repair boards - Happy to help with this before Xmas. Am fairly handy and have a lot of the tools we will need. Tentative suggestion: Saturday morning, 7th Dec?

Will come up with a team format as you suggest.

Alan
Alan's picture

Will also try to price up some boards...

Emyr
Emyr's picture

Goals thread here: http://mhbp.co.uk/topic/new-goals

Width and height measurements are internal but the depth (front to back) is less critical.