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Post by Rajiv on Jan 11, 2011 18:21:52 GMT 8
This thread currently deals with the above subject matter. Announcements and developments relating to the subject matter are posted below. Go to the last page (by clicking the largest number to the left of "NEXT >>" above) for the latest announcement/development. As the subject matter has been modified from time to time, as described in various posts below, any given post may not fall squarely within the subject matter. As at 17 February 2014, this first post on this thread was: From the outset, our games have been open to all adults. The only requirement has been that participants play in the right spirit. We have a wide variety of players - some more skilful, some more physical, some more instinctive, some more cerebral, some outspoken, some quieter. It doesn't really matter. On the other hand, our games are not just a kick-about. Although intended to be social, they can be quite competitive and demanding. Those who haven't played before in out games may find it takes a few games to get used to them. Even those who have been haven't played for a while may take a a few games to get back into the swing of things. I try to accommodate everyone through the proposed line ups, so that both teams have a mix of playing styles and abilities. I have noticed that our playing standards have gone up. Although we still have stronger and weaker players, everyone has some basic abilities. Over the course of this year, I may move towards greater standardization of the GIFFA system and equipment. However, any changes should still allow for the diversity of players we have. It is easier to know what kind of game to expect if you you are familiar with the other players in that game. If you introduce your friends to our games, then of course, you are more likely to have your friends playing in the same game. On the other hand, we regularly have new players, so you are just as likely to have new players in a game. Whether games are enjoyable depends on everyone playing in the right spirit. Our players by and large play in the right spirit, although I have in the past month played in a game in which there was an unacceptable degree of petulance shown by more than one player. I have only ever told one player not to play for a few weeks. That was about 2 years ago. I did not ban him, but he hasn't come back since. However, I am prepared to block anyone who repeatedly does not play by the rules or in the right spirit. As I said before: If several players independently inform me that a particular player is not playing by the rules or in the right spirit, I will not hesitate to block the player from playing for as long as necessary. You can send me a message via the "private message" function on the message board. Adding comments on the report thread is also useful. The way we play the game is also significant. As I said on another occasion: Losing possession in dangerous positions is one thing, but two things about it can be very annoying:
* When the opposing team clearly has the measure of a player who tries to bring the ball out of defence past a couple of opposing players, the player keeps trying to do the same. There is always your own goalkeeper behind you, so the better option when closed down is to turn around and play it back.
* When the player who loses possession merely holds his hands in his head but doesn't chase back to recover the situation.
Some players hold the ball well, some others don't hold the ball as well. A passing game usually works best. A good first touch and the ability to lay the ball off well is no less useful than being able to dribble past one or more opponents. Our games give weaker players ample opportunity to work on these basic aspects of their game. More generally, as I stated when discussing footballing abilities in November 2008, no matter how good you are: None of us are great players, for if we were, we should be asking ourselves why we are playing here rather than at a high level in the professional game.  Feedback about individual players can be given to me by e-mail or the private message feature of the message board. I may not reply to individual messages, but I will bear them in mind. All such messages are confidential. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jan 30, 2011 11:15:15 GMT 8
Our games are open to all adults who have basic abilities and play in the right spirit. Currently, the schedule thread for Saturday games states: "The maximum number is 14. However, if there are several new players, we can consider going up to 16. The game will go ahead even with 12." For that reason, with new or newer players, or players who haven't played with in a particular game before or regularly, it is harder to get balanced teams. However, it is less of a factor if a new, newer or non-regular player is one out of 16 rather than one out of 14. If more people want to play regularly, extra games can become regular games, and we can have extra games on/at other days/times and/or venues. Feedback helps. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 2, 2011 13:17:20 GMT 8
Registered members can introduce friends and acquaintances either by: * Putting their name down for them. * Providing them with the URL for the message board, and allowing them to register. You need to provide an e-mail address when you register. If I recognize the e-mail address, and the person has played before, I will approve the registration. If I do not recognize the e-mail address, I will send an e-mail to that person along the following lines: Hi there, I see you’ve registered as a member of the message board as ‘[registered name]’.
Can I have your nationality and mobile number?
And please let me know how you found the message board.
Please read the following for more information:
- giffas.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=schedule&action=display&thread=615
- giffas.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=schedule&action=display&thread=523 - “You have to be registered and logged in to put your name down for a game on this, the Schedule board. For now, the registration of everyone who has played in at least one of our games will be approved.”
You can liaise with me or the person who introduced you to the message board (if the person is already registered) to arrange your first game.
Kind regards,
Rajiv |
I hope that new players meet our standards. When you introduce a new player, you are vouching for that. I also hope that we meet the expectations of new players. Ultimately, those who enjoy our games come back for more. I think it takes at least 3 games to have a good idea if a player fits in. Therefore, I don't expect anyone to register before they have played 3 games. Even if you do not know anyone who plays in our games, instead of registering, just introduce yourself on the "New Players" sub-board. Provide your contact details, and I will get in touch with you. I will remove your contact details from the post after I have taken them down. Anyone who is not registered can still play as a guest. You just need to rely on me or another registered member (including, if applicable, your introducer) to put your name down for games. On the other hand: .... I hope that guests who have played more than 3 games over the past 6 months will consider registering. I think anyone who has played more than 10 games over the past 6 months should register. .... In the 6 months from August 2010 to January 2011, there were 21 guests who played 3 or more games and 6 guests who played 10 or more games. Even if you don't have regular access to the internet and rely on others to put your name down for games, just register anyway, if for no other reason then to show support for the system. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 2, 2011 15:53:16 GMT 8
Over the past couple of weeks, we've had: * Boris back, after being away for 2 years. * Kumar returning to playing in our games. He last played in 2008. * Dennis and Mike A visiting from Hong Kong. We've had other players play in our games while they are visiting Singapore. A couple (Tristan and Dilesh) are even registered, as they plan to be in Singapore at least once a year. On the other hand, Ace will be away for 2 years. I assume he will play if he comes to visit during that time. This goes back to the original idea - we play when we can. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 2, 2011 16:29:33 GMT 8
Apart from the regular and extra games I organize, there are two other ways to propose or organize football-related activities on the message board: * any registered member can propose and organize a game on the "Other Games" board. * anyone can suggest or propose football-related activities on the "Queries, Suggestions, Introductions & Chat" board. I recently put up two threads on the latter board: * A proposal for new format 7-a-side mini-league. * Sports Planet's request for me to put up a flyer for their league starting on 10 February 2011. Elvin responded to the first thread, and later added the following: I dont think many people come to this page and thus may not be aware and respond. Perhaps a better idea would be to approach some potential "managers" directly via sms or phone to round up a team. .... Organizing the regular games takes enough time as it is. I am trying to use the message board as a central depository for participation, discussion and information, and to cut down on SMSing. If registered members are keen on a particular game or activity, and take up is poor or slow, they can always try to canvass support by contacting other registered members and guests directly. The contact numbers I have are found on the "Details" sub-board. You can also use the private message function on this board to contact other registered members. The above activities were also highlighted in the monthly update for January 2011, circulated by e-mail. The more involved people get, the more the scope for organizing other games and activities. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 10, 2011 12:30:53 GMT 8
.... Three players from last night won't be around after this week: * Leo returns to Australia after his project. * Ashwin returns to Australia after his internship. * Dustin was here on holiday, and returns to the US. As our games are open to all, players who are in Singapore for a short while find it easy to join our games. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 20, 2011 11:13:11 GMT 8
I asked Imran how the [the Thursday] game was, and he replied: .... Imran also described a bit of a run in he had with Srini during the game, but continued "we shook hands and it was fine in the end". Run ins are best avoided, but if they do happen (as they might from time to time), it's good that it ends with handshakes. As stated earlier: .... As the aim of our games is social, I try to not to have the same players always on the same side or always on opposing sides. In the case of the latter, it may lead to personal rivalries, which is not useful. .... When discussing line ups on the blog earlier in August 2009, I also highlighted the following: |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 23, 2011 19:29:30 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 27, 2011 22:14:57 GMT 8
Arising out of the issue of everyone taking turns in goal: .... Perhaps some players don't have the confidence to play in goal. Our games are an opportunity to work on our weaknesses, including lack of confidence. If any player is reluctant to go in goal because he believes he is too good or valuable an outfield player to go in goal, then he is mistaken, and not playing in the right spirit. .... .... In any event, as stated above, none of us are great players, for if we were, we should be asking ourselves why we are playing here rather than at a high level in the professional game. |
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Post by Rajiv on Feb 28, 2011 14:11:18 GMT 8
As far as regular GIFFA games are concerned, a competitive game played in good spirits, and enjoyment, are more important than winning or losing. |
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 1, 2011 23:58:46 GMT 8
When a player registers, he cannot put his name down for a game until his registration is approved. However, as matters stand, a player must have played in at least one game before I will approve his registration. Anyone who is not registered, or whose registration has not yet been approved, can still play as a guest. You just need to rely on me or another registered member (including, if applicable, your introducer) to put your name down for games. Although I will assist new or newer players put their names down for a game, I am more inclined to do so for games in which I am playing. If I am not playing in the game, I am more likely to do so after the 48-hour cut-off, subject to a place still being available. As the more popular games tend to fill up more than 48 hours before the game, and I tend not to play in the more popular games to allow others the chance to play, it will be difficult for a new player to play his first game in a more popular game. A new player might get to play in a popular game if his introducer puts his name down for the game. I would hope the introducer would only put the name of a new player down for a popular game if he himself is playing in that game. I would prefer to avoid any mismatch in the expectations of a new player and the regulars who play in the more popular games. |
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 8, 2011 16:49:13 GMT 8
There are six players playing tonight who haven't prepaid, and I won't be there to collect. 5 of the 6 have informed me that they will be making payment through fund transfers or cheque deposits. .... .... We do operate with a certain level of trust. Especially for regular players. Not just for prepayment, but across the board - turning up for a game and on time, playing in the right spirit etc. |
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 26, 2011 23:32:45 GMT 8
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Post by Rajiv on Mar 30, 2011 11:24:14 GMT 8
No one was sure if it was 7v7 or 8v8 as there were only 14 ppl in the beginning. Arijit and wayne had not shown up yet and vincent was in red. We started 7v7, Erik unfortunately went out early with a recurring ankle injury. Thankfully Arijit showed up in time and balanced the lineup again. Wayne came soon and joined red. Reds with extra man had to scored after penalty spot but did not deter them from overwhelming whites. White side had to rely on Poh keng to do almost all the scoring. High scoring game and some confusion with the scoreline, I don't know the final score but think it should be red victory in the end. Thanks Azmi. Every schedule thread includes the following: .... There were 7 vs 7 at the start. Then Arijit and Wayne showed up for the reds, which meant 9 reds in total, although Erik's injury meant it was 8 vs 7. .... As Azmi pointed out, Vincent W was supposed to be White, but ended up as Red. One team having two more players than the other side due to a player being in the wrong colour would be very unlikely to happen if everyone is early. If anyone is in the wrong colour, so that one side looks like having two more players than the other side, the necessary correction can be made. It doesn't even have to be the line ups proposed on the message board, but both sides will have even numbers. Even if players don't have time to check the line ups, just bring both colours. .... Everyone, please be early for every game. The games are only one hour, so factor in an extra 15 minutes before the game starts, and try to be at the venue 15 minutes before the start of the hour. I might have to start including a reminder with the line ups. Previously, on 23 May 2009: The reasoning: I continued the practice until I had to make alternative arrangements towards the end of October 2009. I would rather not have to resume the practice. We are all responsible adults here right, capable of being punctual without having to factor 10 to 15 minutes beforehand into the time slot. |
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 4, 2011 10:25:24 GMT 8
Controversies.. this is what made soccer interesting and get people engaged in discussion. Hope the forum will come back alive. How i miss Look liew, Raj and so many others comments from the games! More discussion, rather than "controversies". |
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 9, 2011 12:01:12 GMT 8
As stated above, there needs to be give and take in our games. |
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Post by Rajiv on May 16, 2011 12:52:16 GMT 8
.... 1. I prefer the larger space in 7-a-side but don't have the legs for it, and welcome the extra body in 8-a-side. .... 4. .... Secondly, because of incidents (broken shoes, injury), the affected player becomes the goalkeeper for the whole game and the others do not have a chance to take a rest. .... .... I think the better way to deal with differing fitness levels and the contingencies that might arise in a game is to pace yourself. .... |
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Post by Rajiv on May 31, 2011 11:14:34 GMT 8
Actually I was surprised when after the match Vincent and Cheng Poh revealed that they are in their late forties! So I guess comparatively, we were the younger side though Whites had young CH and KK to compensate ;D .... We actually have 12 members (excluding guests) between the ages of 45 and 49. The oldest guest currently playing in Nordin, who is 51. He still plays about 3 or 4 times a week, and joins us when he can. We've had a couple of other players over 50. The oldest guest ever was Nick C's dad, Tony, who played in June 2009 at the age of 61. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jun 5, 2011 7:14:27 GMT 8
.... n what got me today was " i should cut my nails "......naw, dont bother on this topic ......hate to be nasty but 2 things came up regarding my youngest daughter - she enjoys piano cos theonly contact in piano is with the keyboard and she was making the Loser sign to her Pri 5 friends...i saw that sign today.... .... Personal issues betwen Look Liew and Rajseran I believe. We should be mellowing as we get older. |
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Post by Rajiv on Jun 13, 2011 12:44:37 GMT 8
We were stuck at 12 for yesterday's game, so I considered switching it from Turf City to Khalsa: However, two players didn't want to play at Khalsa, while a third couldn't make it to Khalsa yesterday. Several of those who play at Turf City at the weekends had previously expressed the view that they didn't want the games switched to Khalsa. It would be disappointing if in the event it comes down to switching the game to Khalsa or cancelling the game, players would rather cancel the game than play at Khalsa. On this occasion, through the efforts of CH, we got 2 more players, and the game went ahead at Turf City. Those who only want to play at Turf City, and not at Khalsa, at the weekend, should make some effort to ensure we have enough players for the game to go ahead at Turf City. |
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From the outset, our games have been open to all adults. The only requirement has been that participants play in the right spirit. 
