Comments on: Focus on the Championships

By: eli

eli — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:12:29 +0000

Chris,
I do not doubt that flyball will eventually make it into “extreme” competitions with sports media sponsors and all that hype. As for me, I much prefer the flyball that first drew me to the sport – fun with dogs and other dog lovers, bragging rights for a job well done, a hobby as expensive or cheap as you wanted to make it, with no cash incentives to set racing stables and start making a buck traveling the flyball circuit. The cameraderie enjoyed by most flyballers is the backbone that built this sport.

Flyball “Championships” today still represent teams that have the urge to travel. As in, the fastest team in a NAFA region or U-FLI qualifier may or may not be inclined to travel “to the next level”.

In light of this, I feel both NAFA and U-FLI should recognize racing year accomplishments with in regions and divisions, and let the “National Champion” be a “National Challenge” match. With time divisions. And disquals for break outs, flat out. End of story.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:10:38 +0000

Thank you, eli! Yours is exactly the perspective I am looking for constructive input. I really believe that a fresh, “outside of the box” thinking is what will make “Divisional Championships” a reality for NAFA.
I would like to know more that you think would make this “fair”.
For instance, Do you think that for “Divisional Championships”, NAFA should do away with Regional identities? Make it one, big “National” championship divided into time divisions?

….and, as for Cynosports, I agree with you TOTALLY in that is was a a HUGE step away from the traditional, “fun, family sport” that NAFA has evolved to support. ….but, I attended Cynosports as a spectator only and I was amazed that so many of the so-called “slower teams” had such a blast and raved about how much fun they were having. Perhaps, the lower division teams are more “competitive” than anybody realizes?
Thoughts?

By: eli

eli — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:49:28 +0000

The concept of divisional champs is interesting to me. After reading about the Cynosport, I felt that the overall result was a step away from the general “fun, family sport” that most NAFA rules are designed to support.
I am concerned about “competitive” teams touring the country looking for smaller tournaments in which to build tournament points.
U-FLI, in not having regions, allows this to work.
By no means am I experienced in flyball or running for office.
Just my penny.

By: bcollie

bcollie — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 16:16:22 +0000

I think divisional championships would be awesome. I myself have struggled with weather or not I want to be in a club that runs div 1 or trys to set all teams up to score 25pt heats. It may sound like an after school special but for me it’s not always about winning. On the other hand I have a really fast dog so I’d like to know that we run as fast and as clean as possible within our division. I think a divisional champioship would increase competitivness and make it more fun for the lower divisions.

By: Robbie

Robbie — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 14:58:44 +0000

The NAFA Regional Championship is certainly a battle of speed, but also endurance. There may be 10+ tournaments in a region and for those teams competing for that championship, attendance is critical.

The Cynosport Championship was a bit of an exhibition, but it is a step toward a true championship. Any team could enter, and based on the level of participation last year, any team that entered would have advanced. Certainly this will change in the future, but it’s still a learning process. Oh yeh, the NAFA “Championship” was run on grass!

U-Fli’s Qualifier/Championship system gives teams a goal to focus on throughout the year. We know exactly how many practices we have between now and the Championship in November and we will plan to use them wisely. It’s the “Big Game” approach. It really is a blast. I hope they don’t change a thing.

By: Larry

Larry — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:58:22 +0000

Thanks Chris, I was unaware of your proposal as I am sure the majority of people were until now. I support your proposal in general in that divisional championships of some sort are needed. Many good teams out there deserve to be recognized even though they may not run in division 1.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:10:07 +0000

I’m so glad you brought this subject up. I have had a proposal for Divisional Champioships submitted to the NAFA Board for two years. I know there are problems with the proposal in the form I submitted it. It is a “draft” of a concept that needs input from the NAFA Delegates in order for it to become a reality.

The NAFA Board solicited such input by publishing my proposal on the NAFA Website, May 2006 News section .

To my knowledge, no one submitted comment to that proposal except for myself. According to the Abridged minutes of the NAFA BoD meeting held in Detroit on August 12, 2006, Dale Smith was appointed Special Project Leader to continue development of Divisional Champions.

Both Dale and myself are running for the NAFA Board of Directors this Fall. If the NAFA Delegates would like to see the concept of Divisional Champioships become a reality for NAFA, vote for us!

I plan to write an Article about Divisional Championships on my blog. I welcome constructive comments. I believe that the NAFA Board and the NAFA Delegates can work together to make this idea become a reality for NAFA competitors.

Thank You!

You can read Chris’ proposal here: http://www.flyball.org/news_05222006.html