Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 10:47 am  

Cowiesarse wrote:

Just out of interest....are teams not required to have a minimum number of players signed on before they are allowed to enter the leagues for the upcoming season??....It lets so many sides/lads down when teams can't fulfill fixtures!

my understanding is that when you apply to your District Association (which you should do before joining the NWC) the other clubs in the district look at the numbers you have and any impact you'll have on them...certainly, within the Manchester and District we were asked to do this for Little Hulton who provided a list of 25 player names. But this only applies to new clubs.

When we set Bury up we had about 20 players - touch and go with whether or not we should apply. If you apply, you give yourself a chance of getting players on board, if you do not apply, you probably lose all those lads anyway...so there is no inbetween position. We have 30+ for this year so it was the right call.

For an existing club, what can be done? As a club administrator, you have to take the risk of reapplying because you submit your application two months before the season starts, you might only then discover your numbers are down to something unviable. All player registrations from the previous year are void anyway, so until you get your squad back training and start registering people again, you really do not have any guarantee about what numbers you have, and there is no way the league can check as there are still teams who havent submitted player registrations for the upcoming season and we are less than a week away!!! You are trusting the administrator of clubs and they have to take the risk as they are in a Catch-22 position about whether they should/or shouldnt apply.

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 11:35 am  

Surely the answer must be....Getting a minimum number of registrations say for 1st July...the minimum being 18/19, most clubs return to pre-season late June/early July, and from my experience this is when the numbers at training are at there highest. This then included in the criteria that must be met by each club wanting to enter the league.

Or Maybe...a fee paid by the club....which then must be re-couped in signing on fee's...or nominal fee per player, but influencing the clubs to then seek/keep players once they have commited to the league for the upcoming season.

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:14 pm  

It might work with August 1st being the date, given how late fixtures came out...not everyone goes back in June and some not to late July.

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 1:59 pm  

As a new club we only received our registration forms on the 9th August and it has been a challenge getting all signed on before the start on Saturday.

I will probably be relying on final forms being signed on Saturday to enable us to fulfil our first game...saying that can't wait we are down to play Irlam Hornets A at home and it should be great.

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 2:50 pm  

Cronus wrote:

Yeah we discussed this at training - if they can't raise 13, we're happy to pocket the points and play 9s, 10s, 12s, whatever, even narrow the pitch a little if people prefer.

Fingers crossed they'll get a squad, they struggled last year at times but generally raised enough for match day.

We should know tonight if it will be on or not on Saturday. I genuinely cannot see us having a team, fingers crossed we do though. Im working this saturday so definately not playing. If we do raise a team, its going to be interesting to see who plays where. Our 6 & 7 have gone, our wingers gone, i fear the worst... Sorry guys. Will post tomorrow and let you know.

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:34 pm  

How's everyone feeling then? Nervous, excited!

Can't believe the season is upon us already!!!

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:25 pm  

Can't wait at Bury!!!

Months (actually, a few years!) of hard work about to come to fruition...an actual playing base we can call home, a few new players, and everything coming together. big question for me now is do i make the side?!

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Tue Aug 31, 2010 9:30 pm  

Yeah I get that feeling this year, we have a new coach in place, some new lads, a new feel about the place, seems like lads want to play for us again, a nice mid table will Do us good this year and kick on next season.

Can't wait....

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Wed Sep 01, 2010 8:51 am  

mmp wrote:

Can't wait at Bury!!!

Months (actually, a few years!) of hard work about to come to fruition...an actual playing base we can call home, a few new players, and everything coming together. big question for me now is do i make the side?!

I think your going to have to wait mate, pathetic numbers at training again last night, going to take a miracle to get 13 lads out on saturday, nevermind 17!

Training again tomorrow night, fingers crossed

Re: Here we go again, NWC Wk 1 : Wed Sep 01, 2010 9:32 am  

Very excited about Saturday in Chester......Not sure how many we will get turning out but things are looking good for our first season in Winter Rugby.

A lot of our team still away (Chester University lads) but still should have a strong side out.

Still got a lot to sort out to make sure the game, and afterwards goes well, at the moment I will be cooking on the side but I am hopeful it will be a good day and the result will be the right one!