|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jan 21, 2012 17:03:25 GMT 8
.... The regular slots are: * Mondays, 9 to 10 pm, The Cage ( 5-a-side, will go ahead 4-a-side if short of players) * Tuesdays, 9 to 10 pm, Sports Planet (7-a-side, will go ahead 6-a-side if short of players) * Wednesdays, 9 to 10 pm, Premier Pitch @ Khalsa (7-a-side, will go ahead 6-a-side if short of players) * Thursdays, 9 to 10 pm, Premier Pitch @ Khalsa (7-a-side, will go ahead 6-a-side if short of players) * Thursdays, 9 to 10 pm, Sports Planet (7-a-side, will go ahead 6-a-side if short of players) * Saturdays, 5 to 6 pm, Premier Pitch @ Turf City (8-a-side, will go ahead 7-a-side if short of players) * Sundays, 4 to 5 pm, Premier Pitch @ Turf City (8-a-side, will go ahead 7-a-side if short of players) * Sundays, 5 to 6 pm, Premier Pitch @ Turf City (8-a-side, will go ahead 7-a-side if short of players) .... Other than the Wednesday night game at Khalsa, which requires a fair amount of SMSing, the other games that regularly go ahead fill up largely on the message board. However, external factors such as long weekends can affect numbers. The Tuesday night game at East Coast, which had three reserves by Monday morning for the last game on 17 January 2012, was one short the week before, as several regulars chose to watch Singapore Lions XII's return to Malaysian football instead. Since December 2011, both The Cage @ Kallang and the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa have increased their prices. Up to now, I have been bearing the increase in prices myself. If the Premier Pitch @ Turf City continues to operate, they will also be putting up their prices. As such, I can no longer give discounts to persuade players to switch from more popular games to less popular games ( one of the original objectives of prepayment), without first increasing the payment per player. Once I know the new price for a pitch at the Premier Pitch @ Turf City, I will review the payment per player across the board. I have merged the "Popular games" thread into this, the "Filling places & choices" thread. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jan 27, 2012 14:26:36 GMT 8
We've struggled to fill the Khalsa games for a while. However, this week, despite several regulars being away, and several others being unavailable due to Chinese New Year, we managed two games at Khalsa, on Wednesday and last night (Thursday), both 7-a-side. It's the first time we've had all three Wednesday/Thursday night games go on (including the Thursday night game at East Coast) since 12/13 October 2011 (including with the game at Khalsa on Thursday, 13 October 2011 effectively a team match). We had three games the following week (19/20 October 2011), but Wednesday was a public holiday, so the game was at Turf City from 5 to 6 pm. Having two games on Thursday night started on 25 August 2011, but the Thursday night game at Khalsa was often David T and his friends against the rest. It took a bit of SMSing to fill up the Wednesday night game, after the long weekend (Monday and Tuesday being public holidays for Chinese New Year). However, by Wednesday afternoon, we had 2 reserves for the Wednesday night game at Khalsa and 3 reserves for the Thursday night game at East Coast. On the other hand, we had no one down for the Thursday night game at Khalsa: .... Unless there is a surge in numbers by the end today, doesn't look like this game will go on. Bearing in mind what happened on 5 January 2012, when there had been a surge in numbers for Thursday night at East Coast after I cancelled the Thursday night booking at Khalsa, several of whom could have played at Khalsa, this time, I refrained from cancelling the Thursday night booking at Khalsa before Thursday. When, on Wednesday evening, David T put 4 names down for the Thursday night game at Khalsa, I thought I could fill up the game. I only saw the 4 names at 11 pm after I returned home from the Wednesday night game. I had some names from the Wednesday night game, and SMSed several others. By Thursday morning the places were full, including 1 more of David T's friends. However, even though David's 4 friends pulled out later in the morning, we had a withdrawal in the afternoon, and another player switching to East Coast, we managed to fill the 6 places by 5.20 pm, including David's brother. In fact, later that evening, Hail SMSed me to say he also had a friend who wanted to play. The last three games at Khalsa ( Wednesday, 18 January 2012, Wednesday, 25 January 2012 and Thursday, 26 January 2012) have all been one-sided. Since Fai and several of his friends have stopped playing, we're not having David T and his friends against the rest anymore, and several other former regulars are not playing anymore, we've had to rebuild our pool of players for our Khalsa games. We're building a good pool of players. However, it takes time for players to become familiar with each other, which makes getting balanced sides more difficult.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Feb 5, 2012 12:23:46 GMT 8
Neil S SMSed me on Friday to say he would play on Saturday at Turf City if it was 7-a-side. All our games have a target number, but the game can go ahead even with 2 less. For Turf City, the target number is 16 (8-a-side), but the game will go ahead with 14 (7-a-side). However, as numbers fluctuate, I can't guarantee the game will go ahead with the lesser number. For yesterday's game, we were at 13 when Neil SMSed me, but it soon went up to 14, which meant Neil could only be a conditional reserve, meaning he would only play under certain conditions. In any event, by late Saturday morning, we were up to 16, and had one reserve by early afternoon. In fact, for the weekend games at Turf City, I believe we've switched from 7 to 8-a-side as late as a couple of hours before the game. This has happened a couple of times when even though we only had 14 when the line ups were put up, there was subsequently a withdrawal, and when I asked around to fill the place, I got 3 more players. If a player says he only wants to play with the lesser number, there's no point putting him in early, because we could get more players and end up with the higher number, even if we only have the lesser number when the line ups are put up. It's only if we have the lesser number, and there is a late withdrawal, that the player will get in. That is the consequence of putting your name down on such conditions. It is a choice any player has to make for himself. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Feb 5, 2012 22:45:05 GMT 8
.... ..., for the weekend games at Turf City, I believe we've switched from 7 to 8-a-side as late as a couple of hours before the game. .... .... It happened today (Sunday), less than an hour before the game, which was from 4 to 5 pm. Rajseran withdrew in the morning due to back pain, to leave us with 14. Rajseran SMSed me about half an hour ago to say he is feeling better and can play. Fred can also play, so back to 8-a-side: .... |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Apr 16, 2012 11:27:00 GMT 8
|
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Apr 27, 2012 22:09:11 GMT 8
|
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on May 25, 2012 23:02:48 GMT 8
We've managed 2 games on the following dates this month: * Sunday, 6 May 2012, at Turf City, the first from 4 to 5 pm, the second from 5 to 6 pm. * Thursday, 17 May 2012, both from 9 to 10 pm, one at Khalsa and the other at East Coast. * Sunday, 20 May 2012, at Turf City, the first from 4 to 5 pm, the second from 5 to 6 pm. * Thursday, 24 May 2012, both from 9 to 10 pm, one at Khalsa and the other at East Coast. We were stuck at 11 for the game at East Coast on 17 May 2012, but a late surge brought us up to 14. The converse is that if we don't get to at least 12 by the night before, I am more likely to cancel. Four weeks of school holidays start this weekend. Those with children in school may go on holiday or organize other activity with their children, so it could affect numbers. Games will be cancelled if numbers don't look good. I'm not sure it would be wise to schedule two games on any one day in June. For the two slots on Sunday at Turf City, its simply a matter of consolidating them into one game. For the two games on Thursdays, I might alternate between Khalsa and East Coast. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jun 15, 2012 10:32:48 GMT 8
We again had 2 games in a day on the following dates: * Sunday, 10 June 2012, at Turf City, the first from 4 to 5 pm, the second from 5 to 6 pm. * Thursday, 14 June 2012, both from 9 to 10 pm, one at Khalsa and the other at East Coast. For the two Sunday games, with no one playing both games, for the first time, we had 32 different players! The East Coast game was cancelled on Wednesday on morning, but a surge in numbers saw us up to 11 by Wednesday night, the game reinstated, and the places filled by Thursday afternoon. I've been using one thread to organize both games at Turf City on Sunday, but two threads for the two games on Thursday. The one thread method seems to work better, so I'll apply that to the two Thursday games (one at Khalsa, the other at East Coast) from the thread for next week onwards. For the Sunday games, most players indicate their preference - a particular slot, either slot (with or without a particular preference) or both. If there are enough for two games, I split up the players between the two slots based on their preference. Those who make themselves available for both are only in reserve for the second game. The same will apply to the two Thursday games (although both is not an option unless you have discovered a way of being at 2 places at the same time!). The biggest problem will be having to make a call on the East Coast game by Tuesday or Wednesday. The Premier Pitch (at both Turf City and Khalsa) are more accommodating of cancellations on the day itself. It means that the Khalsa game is always more likely to go ahead than the East Coast game, especially now that the pool of players for the Khalsa game is as big as for the East Coast games. However, if we have insufficient players for two games due to withdrawals on the day itself, the Khalsa game is easier to cancel. If the East Coast game is not cancelled by Wednesday: Especially with former East Coast loyalists, such as Kelvin and Melvin Au, and Kenji, now prepared to play at Khalsa. Other East Coast loyalists, such as Justin, Murray and Chen Hong, have always been prepared to play at Khalsa if necessary, more so because they currently live closer to Khalsa than East Coast. The willingness of players to play in the available game (whichever slot or venue it may be) is what makes a single thread for two games workable. On the other hand, there are the East Coast only loyalists, Glenn T, Jeff S, Joel Ong and Glenn F. Even there, Jeff S has waivered: I am tempted to put my name on reserve at khalsa. hmmmmm... As always, those who are more flexible are more likely to get a game. I do however appreciate that factors such as travel time and other commitments do influence how flexibility. Those who want only to play at East Coast, do try to fill up the places by Wednesday - at least 6 by Wednesday morning, at least 12 by Wednesday night. It makes it very hard for me otherwise. Convince friends to play if necessary. Both Joel Ong and Glenn F added a friend to fill up last night's game at East Coast. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jun 25, 2012 10:14:00 GMT 8
Some additional considerations in using a single thread for the two slots on Thursday at the same time at different venues: The reason I keep it as one list is to determine priority if there is only 1 game, or we have more than 28 players in total. If anyone splits the list into two, those who are either should be in both lists. However, if both games go on, and the players for each game are finalised, they can only be in one game, so I need to be sure there are still enough for the other. Best to keep it as one list, up to 28. .... .... The risk for those who rule out the other venue is that they will miss out on a game if there aren't enough for two games and the game at their venue is cancelled. .... If there only one game, priority for the first 14 who make themselves available for that game, even if their preference is for the other game. So those who are available for either, please indicate accordingly, even if you add a preference. If it looks like there is going to be only one game, while the East Coast game is more likely to be cancelled if it is before Thursday, it's easier to cancel the Khalsa game on the day itself. Also, where there is only one game, to decide which of the two goes on and which is cancelled, the preference is used as a vote. Of course, if the way the preferences work out, only one particular game can go on despite the "vote", then that game will go on. For example, say we have 17 players. 7 are Khalsa only. 9 can play either but prefer East Coast. 1 is East Coast only. Although East Coast has 10 "votes" and Khalsa only 7, the game has to be at Khalsa because there are insufficient players for East Coast. If too many players are inflexible, we could end up with no game even though we have more than enough players. For example, if we have 9 for Khalsa only, 9 for East Coast only, and 2 for either, both games might have to be cancelled as we won't have sufficient players for either game. Rajiv, I find this combined list more detrimental than good. But that's just me... When we had two separate threads, the risk was we get less than 12 for each game, and no game at all, even though we have more than 12 in total, enough for one game. It is therefore important that players are willing to switch to the other venue if necessary. Then priority becomes an issue. If they put their names down for both games, if both go on, they can't be at both places at the same time, so they have to be removed from one, which might leave that game short. Having two threads requires a lot more monitoring. What I used to do is make a judgment call. If it looked like there would be only one game, I would reserve places for those who put their name down for the other game who I believed would switch if necessary. If in the end, there were two games, I would still need to fill up those places. One thread is therefore much better, at least until the pool of players is big enough to consistently fill two games on Thursday. As to having two lists in one thread, see above. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jun 27, 2012 15:10:33 GMT 8
More considerations for using a single thread for the two slots on Thursday at the same time at different venues: .... As long as we have least 24, both games can go on, at least 6-a-side. Better if we get to 28. .... .... Where we have enough for for two games, the players are allocated after 3 pm on the day of the game as follows (the first 28 if we have more than 28): * Those who have a preference, according to their preference. However, if one venue has more than 14 players, those available for both with lower priority (that is, put their name down later in time) will be allocated to the other venue. * Those who do not indicate a preference: .... * first, need, that is, make sure both games are up to 12 at least, with players with lower priority (ie, those who put their name down later in time) allocated first. * secondly, to fill the more popular game first, then the less popular game, with players with higher priority (ie, those who put their name down earlier in time) allocated first. . .... .... Splitting hasn't been a problem, either on Thursday or Sunday, when we've had two games, and we've had quite a few recently. Bottom line is, the earlier you put your name down, the greater your chance of getting a game. That has always been the case. The bigger complication can be keeping those who want to play together in the same game. And of course, fluctuations in numbers as players add their names, or withdraw. Usually, you won't have the full picture until the afternoon before the game. As long as numbers look good, I don't worry about it before then.  Looks like we'll have two games tomorrow. If the pool of players for each of the two Thursday games were large enough to sustain both games without players having to make themselves available for both, I may revert to having separate threads for each. I don't think we're there yet. Other considerations relating to filling places for games: |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jun 29, 2012 18:52:36 GMT 8
By Wednesday afternoon, we got to 28 plus one reserve for the 2 games yesterday (Thursday), so all seemed well. Even with one withdrawal yesterday morning, we still had 28. There was eagerness to see how the players would be split between the 2 venues: Looks like it's pretty straight forward from here on. .... I just happened to put this together to figure out if we have too many players for any of the venues. Looks like we're good, provided nobody pulls out!  My response: However, as there were new or newer players at both venues, I proceeded to suggest line ups at about 1.54 pm, instead of waiting until after 3 pm. Within an hour, there were an amazing 4 withdrawals from the East Coast game (nothing to do with the line ups as none of those who withdrew actually use the message board!). ... we're down to 10 for East Coast. We need at least 12 for the big pitch. Withdrawals. The main reason I usually avoid splitting the players up between the 2 venues before 3 pm.  There is the option of switching the East Coast game to a small (5-a-side) pitch, as a pitch is available. Better than nothing right? And actually, it's quite fun for a change. .... There was a further withdrawal from the Khalsa game, but one of the withdrawals from the East Coast game came back in, so in the end, I switched one of the players with no preference from East Coast to Khalsa, to keep that game at 14, and the returnee came into the East Coast to keep it at 10. .... There was an alternative of switching one player from Khalsa to East Coast so that both games could go on on a big pitch with 12. However, I didn't do so for several reasons: * There were several new or newer players at both venues. 6-a-side on a big pitch would have been more demanding. * I had already allocated players. A player who preferred Khalsa would have had to switch to East Coast. It would have been Leon (keeping Wayne H at East Coast), as the rest were linked through Kelvin Au. * Unusually, a small pitch was available at East Coast. If no small pitch was available, the alternative would have been to cancel the East Coast game. In that case, I would have been more inclined to go ahead 6-a-side at both venues. .... .... Switching the East Coast game to a small pitch really depends on the availability of a small pitch on the day of the game itself, which in the past, was very, very rare. There is also an issue of cancelling the big pitch on the day of the game itself. I've never felt so uncertain about anything else, as waiting till 5.30pm to know if I was playing at ECP or Khalsa. .... Actually, switching of players between venues can take place anytime before the game. Say you had a withdrawal from one venue, and the only available replacement could only play at the other venue. Someone from the latter venue who had no preference could be requested to switch to the other venue. However, if it was less than an hour before the game, it would be understandable if the player concerned couldn't switch. The later I leave the allocation, the less risk of subsequent withdrawals or switching. 5 pm might be better.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Aug 1, 2012 19:13:47 GMT 8
Volatility remains high. The Monday night game at Kallang was again cancelled on 9 July 2012, with no names down, but it has gone on every week since, with even reserves for the most recent game on 30 July 2012. Since 16 June 2012, we have managed 2 games on Thursday night on 28 June 2012 (5-a-side at East Coast), 5 July 2012 and 19 July 2012 (both 6-a-side). The one game on 12 July 2012 was at Khalsa. It was down to one game at Khalsa last Thursday as well (26 July 2012), but it was cancelled due to several withdrawals in the 24 hours before the game, so there was no game at all. We couldn't get any replacements: .... A combination of Puasa, illness, injury and travel. And I believe Elvin and David T have arranged a match at Turf City. There was only one game at East Coast on 21 June 2012, and there is only one game at East Coast tomorrow. The factors in going ahead at East Coast rather than Khalsa: Based on preferences, or where no preference is stated, past indications of preference, fairly even between Khalsa and East Coast, whether I take the first 14 or all 19. However, I'm having trouble filling tonight's game at Khalsa (2 places left), while we had reserves for last night's game at East Coast without any effort on my part. I don't see both games going on tomorrow, and as I have to make a call, I'll stick with the venue that filled up better this week. Also, last week, the East Coast game got cancelled first (although in the end, the Khalsa game was also cancelled due to withdrawals, so there was no game at all), so this week, I am inclined to give the East Coast game a chance instead. .... We haven't managed two games on Sunday at Turf City since 10 June 2012. 2 games on Thursday or Sunday may be difficult for the foreseeable future: The Premier Pitch @ Turf City called me early last week to say that one of their regulars had agreed to try out the (cheaper) uncovered pitch last Thursday. If that regular sticks with the uncovered pitch, then the covered pitch will be available on Thursday nights longer term. They said they are liaising with both Elvin and me on the availability. I suggested they liaise with Elvin first. I understand a big covered pitch was made available to Elvin last Thursday. I believe Elvin and David T arranged a match. .... Anyway, I'll let Turf City sort out their weeknight regulars before I try a weeknight game at Turf City. Might take a month or two, or longer. I suppose during that time, those who prefer playing at Turf City will also have to consider what they want. As a consequence, I expect the numbers for our weeknight Khalsa games (as several of those who play at Khalsa also play at Turf City) and weekend Turf City games to be affected. In the meantime, I'll continue with the usual schedule. As always, if we don't get numbers, games will be cancelled. For the game at Turf City on Saturday, 7 July 2012: We were stuck at 11 for much of Sunday morning: .... Rainer got in his neighbour, Desmond got a friend, and Brendan got 2 friends of a friend (plus Imran), to bring numbers up: .... We even had two more add their name between 1.45 and 1.48 pm. .... We got to 19, so Imran dropped out, and the two late reserves didn't get to play. A couple of the new players have been regular since. Bringing in friends is the best way to ensure the game(s) you prefer are sustained. Even though we had 27 games in July 2012, up from 24 in July 2011, it did feel like a struggle filling up places. Funnily enough, most games actually filled up on the message board. I think it felt like a struggle because when I did SMS to try fill up remaining places, the response was poor. Perhaps with WhatsApp, fewer people use SMS. With the international schools continuing with their vacations even the Singapore school holidays came to an end, I didn't expect numbers to really pick up until later in August. On top of that: * The flu bug has been doing its rounds (including with me, since I withdrew from the game on Wednesday, 18 July 2012). * We're into the Puasa period. * A lot of people seem to want to try playing 11-a-side or in a league with the re-start of the main European season imminent. On top of that, with the opening of several new pitches at various locations in Singapore, people might want to try organizing their own games.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Oct 3, 2012 11:19:26 GMT 8
Numbers for the first East Coast game of each week have been ok since I moved it from Tuesday night to Monday night last week - we had a reserve for 24 September 2012, and even with withdrawals for 1 October 2012, I managed to fill up the game. .... ..., I won't move the game at Kallang from Monday to Tuesday night until 9 October 2012. The Monday night game at Kallang has filled up reasonably well over the last couple of weeks. Hopefully, the switch won't affect numbers significantly. .... On the other hand, it hasn't been easy to fill up the Monday night game at Kallang, even before the East Coast game was moved to Monday night. Although we had a Monday night game at Kallang in the 5 weeks from 27 August 2012 to 24 September 2012: * There were several cancellations of the game in July and August 2012. * The game on 3 September 2012 only went ahead because Sushil, Imran and a couple of their friends joined the game after the Monday night game at Turf City was cancelled. * We got to 10 for the game on 24 September 2012 by pulling across the reserve from the East Coast game, and Sushil joining late on after the Monday night game at Turf City was cancelled. It is difficult for me if whether we get enough players for a game at Kallang on Monday depends to some extent or other on whether the game at Turf City goes on or not. For this Monday (1 October 2012), by Sunday night, we had only 3 players down for Kallang, while there were still 2 places left for East Coast. Rather than trying to fill both games, I sought to consolidate the game East Coast. One of the three down for Kallang switched to East Coast, and another who would have played at Kallang also put his name down for East Coast. Another of those down for Kallang switched to the Wednesday game at Khalsa. Hopefully, the switch to Tuesday night will see the Kallang game fill up more consistently. Even though it now has to compete with the new Tuesday night game at Turf City (5/6-a-side, 22 places in total), the pool of players for Turf City and Kallang are fairly separate. And if there are not enough players for both games, it's easier for me to see if I can consolidate the numbers for a single game at either venue, as both are my games. Let's see how it works out. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Oct 17, 2012 10:06:31 GMT 8
It's hard to get the Sunday night game going when the Sunday evening game is slow to fill up. I won't put the Sunday night game up unless the Sunday evening game fills up early. There is some chance that I could fill the new Sunday night game at Indian Association or Khalsa if I put in more effort, but I can't afford to be doing that when it's taking some effort to fill the Sunday evening game at Turf City. For last Sunday, we didn't even get to 16 for the Turf City game. Combination of work, travel, illness and EPL Masters. .... .... But even then .... The Monday night game at East Coast also suffered from travel and work. After first filling up, withdrawals brought it down to 10. The risk of withdrawals on Monday/Tuesday was high even when the game was on Tuesday. We've had up to 6 withdrawals at the start of the week even when the game was on Tuesday. The bigger problem this week appears to be the number of players who are away. All the weeknight games have suffered over the past couple of weeks. I also think people are working longer hours. A lot of fearmongering about an economic slowdown - one way for employers to get employees to work longer hours. In the end: Not enough for the big pitch, and Sports Planet doesn't have a small pitch available for 5-a-side, so game cancelled. .... A few Tuesday night games at East Coast were cancelled earlier in the year - three in February and once in May. It seems to be a seasonal thing with East Coast, with the peak period being August/September of each year. On the other hand, I had cancelled the Tuesday game at Kallang on Sunday (before the Monday game was cancelled). .... I've had to cancel early as The Cage are getting sticky about late cancellations. The previous week (the first one switched from Monday to Tuesday), I couldn't fill the game, and a withdrawal brought numbers down from 8 to 7 on the day on the game itself, so the game was cancelled on the day itself. After the Monday night game was cancelled, I checked that the pitch at Kallang was still available, then tried to fill up the Tuesday game. Remarkably, we got to 12 by Monday night, including several new players. Even with withdrawals on the day, we had enough players for a 5-a-side. Turned out to be a good game. Hopefully, the cancellation of the Monday game at East Coast is a one off, and we have enough players to sustain the Tuesday game at Kallang. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Dec 19, 2012 14:14:51 GMT 8
The schedule thread for the Saturday game at Turf City filled up very quickly in successive weeks in November 2012: * Game on 3 November 2012, within a day of the schedule thread being put up, with 3 reserves 24 hours of the schedule thread being put up. * Game on 10 November 2012 - within 12 hours of the usual time of putting up the thread (about 8 am). * Game on 17 November 2012 - within 12 hours of the thread being put up. * Game on 24 November 2012 - in just over 2 hours of the thread being put up. * Game on 1 December 2012 - within an hour and a half of the thread being put up. A Tuesday night game at East Coast had previously also filled up in just over hour and a half of the thread being put up - the game on 18 September 2012. The Tuesday night game at East Coast had also filled up fast in the weeks before: * For the game on 4 September 2012 - within 7 hours. * For the game on 11 September 2012 - filled within 8 hours. In fact, the Tuesday night game at East Coast had been filling up fast from late July/early August 2012. However: .... .... ..., with withdrawals on Monday and Tuesday, reserves usually get to play, up to the sixth reserve two weeks ago. .... Finally, the solution was to move the East Coast game from Tuesday night to Monday night. The rationale: .... Currently, the Tuesday night game fills up on the day it is put up, that is, Thursday, or by the following day, and there are several reserves. On the other hand, the Monday night game at Kallang struggles to fill up. It is frustrating that the Tuesday night game, with 14 places available, fills up, and has several reserves, much earlier than the Monday night game, with only 10 places to fill. The system works better if the earlier game fills up first. It appears to be the venue that is more popular than the day of the week, so it would make sense to move the East Coast game to Monday night. Also, by having a longer gap between the first East Coast game, and the second one on Thursday, more players are likely to play twice a week, which would give the Thursday night game at East Coast greater consistency. .... The game at Kallang was correspondingly switched from Monday night to Tuesday night. Since the switch was made, both the Monday and Thursday night games at East Coast, as well as the Tuesday night game at Kallang, have been more sustainable. Like the East Coast game when it was on Tuesday, with withdrawals in the day or two before the game, most of the reserves for the Saturday game at Turf City have gotten to play. When a game develops a reputation for being very popular, players try to get their name down quickly, and then withdraw later if they find they can't make it. So you end up with games filling up within 2 hours. The longer term effect is that other players stop even looking to put their name down, which in turn limits the pool of players for that game. With the normal attrition of players being injured, away or losing interest, this artificial limiting of the pool of players for a game is counter-productive in the longer term. With several players away, it took a fair bit of SMSing on the Friday to fill the game at Turf City on Saturday 8 December 2012, the week after the game that had filled up in an hour an a half. Several players who don't usually get to play on a Saturday got to play. With several players being away of having other social commitments at this time of the year, the Saturday Turf City games last week and this week have filled up well, again, with several players who don't usually play on Saturdays or who are new. It is good that the pool of players is broadened, but when everyone is back and raring to go in the new year, the Saturday Turf City game may well fill up faster than ever. For me, a game filling up by the second day after the schedule thread is put up is too fast. You get players rushing to put their names down, and then withdrawals as you get closer to the game, which makes for much volatility and uncertainty, and can be a barrier to playing for less regular players. The aim is to have several players down by the end of the second day, and full or almost full by the third day, 2 days before the game itself. It's a sign of a good spread of games and players - sufficient players and sufficient games - which makes the system sustainable. However, unlike the Tuesday East Coast game, I can't move the Saturday Turf City game. My preference would be to start a Saturday morning game at Turf City to take some of the pressure off the Saturday evening game, but unfortunately, a covered pitch at Turf City is not available on Saturday mornings as it is block booked by a soccer school. Also, it is never easy to start a new game, as it does not have a "track record". However, if in the new year, the Saturday Turf City game regularly fills up within an hour or two, I will need to find a solution. It might well be a Friday night game at The Rainforest Arena at Turf City, a bit further up from the Premier Pitch. Another option is to not allow guests in the first 48 hours after the schedule thread is put up. Players who want to get in quickly for Saturday would need to be approved players. New players need to get at least one game in before their registration is approved. If they can't get a game in on Saturday, there are lots of other games to get in for. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jan 11, 2013 16:08:23 GMT 8
From time to time, players put themselves down for a game while not fully fit, or recovering from an injury. It's ok to indicate that you're coming back from a long lay off, or after illness or injury, so that the team selectors can take that into account when agreeing on line ups. As long as the player is not seriously hampered, I have no problem with that. However, if a player is ill or injured, or so unfit, to the extent that he would be way off his usual game, he really should think twice about taking up a place, especially when there are other players wanting that place. I have previously stated: Of course, there may be special reasons why players want to play a particular game, for example, Babs last game as a single man: ..., I will make my last appearance as a single man, and I will be the beer sponsor for this very reason! .... Also I request to be keeper for most of the match as my ankle is still pretty painful & swollen. I will put some heat stuff on it on the day & if it feels ok I can play defense. To send Babs on his way, Rainer played that game while carrying an injury too. Or Dan B's last game before he left Singapore: Yo I'm nursing a knee injury.. prob gonna have to spend some serious time in the goal. Must play tho as last GIFFA GAME EVAR!!!  . Leaving S'pore next week. See y'all tomorrow! Yo yo yo Capitano's can you please put me & Dan on separate teams pls as my knee is still not right so I need to spend a large stint in goal also! Can't miss the game though! Last request is to be red please! See you fine gents 2moro! Dan and babe - do give me the opportunity to play keeper too.just in case my groin doesn't last long Not only Dan B himself, but Babs and Rockstar as well for that one. Often, the injured player thinks he can spend more time in goal. For about 3 months after he picked up a knee injury in September 2012, Derian was putting his name down for games with a view to playing primarily in goal, for example: .... With Derian still carrying a knee injury, he was in goal for most of the game, which meant I didn't have my customary 10 to 15 minutes in goal. .... For this Saturday: .... 6) Anthony (played before - is it okay if he only plays in goal? - let me know if not - slow recuperation from back injury) .... .... With 6 reserves for the game, Lynz messaged me yesterday to ask if it was fair for Anthony to take up a place just to play in goal. I raised the matter with Jake, who followed up with: Remove Anthony. Unfair to have him just play in goal with so many reserves. Also, I have had queries about guests who want to play only or primarily in goal. CH put a friend down, and followed up later with: .... .... my friend Ram plays almost exclusively as a goalkeeper. .... In the end, the friend didn't show. Our games are premised on everyone taking turns in goal. This is expressly provided in the Playing Rules & Principles. A player can of course volunteer to spend more time in goal, but he shouldn't be playing entirely or primarily in goal due to an injury or impediment that he was aware of before the game. It is a different matter if he picks up an injury during the game, and continues in goal for the remainder of the game. Previously, I stated: ..., we have several players playing with niggling injuries. .... With more players playing on with injuries, more players want to spend time in goal so as not to over-extend themselves. Recently, I've played in games where there has been almost a queue to go in goal! It's hard for me to take into account injuries in the line ups. If there are several players playing with niggling injuries, all I can do is make sure they are split between the two teams. .... On the other hand, there are several players with hand and wrist injuries, who can't go in goal, so they remain outfield, and end up exhausting themselves. .... Now, with team selectors, players should disclose any illness, injury or impediment before the team selectors are elected, so that they can be taken into account when agreeing on the line ups. However, if the impediment will substantially impair the player's ability to participate in the game on usual terms, I will in future move the player to reserve. An indication that the player can only play primarily or entirely in goal will also result in the player being moved to reserve. I will of course inform the player concerned before moving him to reserve. If there are special reasons the player wants to play in that particular game, they will be considered on a case by case basis. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Jan 12, 2013 17:08:30 GMT 8
We use the term "reserve" for players waiting for a place. However, "waitlist" is more appropriate. From now on, whenever I update the list of names, I will replace "reserve" with "waitlist". New or newer players sometimes think that being in reserve means they still have to turn up, which is not the case. Players only need turn up if they have a confirmed place. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Feb 2, 2013 9:10:22 GMT 8
I currently schedule 2 games from 9 to 10 pm on Thursdays - one at Khalsa and one at East Coast. Both are 7-a-side games on uncovered pitches. However, we have not had the East Coast game for 4 weeks now, since the last one on 3 January 2013. .... While trying to fill up the East Coast game on Thursday, at least one player said he could only make 8 to 9 pm, not 9 to 10 pm. I would consider bringing the Thursday game at East Coast forward to 8 to 9 pm to give players more choice. .... Also: .... ..., an 8 to 9 pm weeknight slot has been on the horizon: .... ..., for weeknights, an 8 to 9 pm slot would appear to be more viable than a 10 to 11 pm slot .... If we ever get round to having two regular games at the same venue on the same night, the extra one can be from 8 to 9 pm. However, our pool of players would have to be very much larger before we get there. .... It is also worth bearing in mind that the one occasion we have had a weeknight game from 8 to 9 pm, it was on a Thursday night at East Coast, due to Sports Planet mixing up the bookings. The available pool of players would be less of an issue when it is a matter of moving an existing slot forward, rather than creating an additional slot. If the East Coast game on Thursday is brought forward to 8 to 9 pm, I would also be inclined to switch it to a 5-a-side on a small covered pitch. We would then only need 10 players for the game to go on. Also, as I believe there is a greater risk of an 8 pm game being affected by rain (compared to a 9 pm game), a covered pitch would eliminate that risk. Further, the small covered pitch doesn't have the plethora of maintenance issues that the big uncovered pitch has. We have tried to switch to a small covered pitch when we have been short of players for the East Coast game, but a small covered pitch would not usually be available at such short notice. We have only managed that once. Since we started playing on the big uncovered pitch at East Coast in July 2010, I've noticed that each year (so far, 2010, 2011 and 2012), the Thursday night game on the big uncovered pitch at East Coast only flourishes from July/August until November/December. I am reluctant to struggle on with it as it is. I'll put up separate polls on the Stand-Alone Polls sub-board, one for whether to bring the East Coast game on Thursday forward to 8 to 9 pm, and the other for whether to switch the East Coast game on Thursday to a 5-a-side on a small covered pitch. Changing the character of the East Coast game on Thursday (earlier game on a small covered pitch) will also give players more choice. As the two games on Thursday are currently of such a similar character, I will continue to use one schedule thread for both games. It's a different kind of flexibility, relating to ensuring at least one game goes on, and priority. However, now that I have simplified the schedule thread, I will have to modify the standard thread for the two games on Thursday. If the character of the East Coast game on Thursday is substantially changed (brought forward and/or switched to a small uncovered pitch), I will then switch to using a separate thread for each. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Feb 22, 2013 15:58:00 GMT 8
.... The Saturday game continues to fill up fast: * For 19 January 2013, in just over 2 hours. * For 26 January 2013, in just over an hour and a half. * For this Saturday (2 February 2013), in just under 2 hours. Ideally, my solution would be to move the Saturday evening slot forward to Saturday afternoon. Then if it continues to fill up as fast, I could then re-create the evening slot. Moving the game to an earlier slot of similar character worked when the East Coast game was moved from Tuesday to Monday - what used to fill up within a couple of hours now fills up more evenly, over 3 or 4 days. Unfortunately, no big covered pitch is available between 2 and 5 pm on Saturdays. Between 12 noon and 2 pm would be too different in character - a midday game. I would imagine even 2 to 3 pm wouldn't work. What I need is 4 to 5 pm or 3 to 4 pm, both of which are not currently available. 6 to 7 pm is available, but creating a later additional slot has its own difficulties, including: * Persuading players to switch from the very popular 5 to 6 pm slot to an unknown new slot. * Trying to get enough players for an additional slot later on Saturday evening, when many players will be planning a Saturday night out. 4 to 5 pm on Sunday is also available, but the Sunday game is not an issue, regularly filling up fairly evenly over 3 to 4 days. I guess all I'm left with is again Friday night at Turf City ( now known as The Grandstand). Like I said, I'll try again after Chinese New Year. After 2 slow Saturdays due to Chinese New Year (9 and 16 February 2013, with the game on 16 February 2013 barely making it as a 7-a-side), the game this Saturday again filled up within an hour and a halfIt's time for a solution. .... The aim is to have several players down by the end of the second day, and full or almost full by the third day, 2 days before the game itself. It's a sign of a good spread of games and players - sufficient players and sufficient games - which makes the system sustainable. .... The 7-a-side last Saturday (and on Sunday as well) generated several positive comments. .... ... previously: .... In the interval, we had the question decided game by game, with the Saturday game often being 7-a-side, and the Sunday game ending up as 8-a-side. 2 reasons for keeping the maximum number at 16: * With both games being popular, it's hard to tell the players who are 15th and 16th that they can only be on the waitlist when in the past, we have comfortably played with 16. * If we cap numbers at 14, we no longer have the fallback of playing 7-a-side in the event of late withdrawals, with no replacement being available at that late stage. .... For each venue, the price per player is based on the maximum number of players, and applied even if we only have the minimum number. When it picked up to 12 at 2.5 hours before the game, some players were keen to switch back to the big pitch. We have played 6-a-side on the big pitch once before - Sunday, 23 October 2011. Worked out ok. Since the Premier Pitch put up their prices last year, price is now a bigger factor. .... From next month onwards, I will schedule two slots on Saturday, the first from 5 to 6 pm, and the second from 6 to 7 pm. As was the case when we used to have two slots on Sunday (one from 4 to 5 pm, and the other from 5 to 6 pm), I will use one thread for both slots. This is how it will work: * If there are enough players for two games, the first game will be limited to a 7-a-side on the big covered pitch. The first 14 will be in the first game (5 to 6 pm). * The second game (from 6 to 7 pm) will also be on the big covered pitch. This is for players outside the first 14. The minimum number is 12 (6-a-side). The maximum number will be 16 (8-a-side). The aim is to get 14 (7-a-side). Players outside the first 14 who cannot make 6 to 7 pm should indicate as such against their name. * If there are not enough players for two games, then the first 16 will go into the 5 to 6 pm slot, and it will be converted to an 8-a-side. * Although one of the aims of prepayment was to fix the payment so that it would not vary with the number of players, this was based on the difference between the minimum and maximum number of players for the game being two. However, as we will now have a range of 12 to 16 (difference of 4) for a game on Saturday, the price will have to vary with the number of players - $13 for 8-a-side, $14 for 7-a-side, and $15 for 6-a-side. Therefore, there will be 2 games if we have 26 to 30 players. Players from the first game will be allowed to make up numbers for the second game, up to 14. However, priority in the second game will be given to players not playing in the first game. If we have less than 26, only the first 16 get to play in the single game from 5 to 6 pm. |
|
|
|
Post by Rajiv on Mar 8, 2013 22:27:41 GMT 8
The night game at East Coast on Monday, 25 February 2013, was cancelled due to rain. We had 14 players for the big ucovered pitch, and although the rain had eased up from earlier, it was still raining at 8.15 pm, with a bit of lightning. A small covered pitch was available from 9.30 to 10.30 pm, but only 7 or 8 of the 14 players were interested - not enough for the game to go on. .... A small pitch is not often available at such short notice, just over an hour before the game. The reason it was only available from 9.30 pm instead of 9 pm was that the players for the earlier booking from 8 to 9 pm were delayed due to the rain, so Sports Planet allowed them an extra half hour. However, with only about half the players ready to make the switch to the small covered pitch, we did not have enough players. That is a choice players have to make. |
|
. Leaving S'pore next week. See y'all tomorrow!