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Post by Rajiv on Apr 19, 2011 17:03:41 GMT 8
.... The lights went out from about 9.10 to about 9.25 pm. .... There is one set of lights that is usually left off. They had it serviced earlier in the week, but it tripped, causing all the lights to go off. They did not switch it on again. As it is with floodlights, it took about 10 minutes for the remaining lights to come back on. Sports Planet has agreed to reimbursing part of the cost. It works out to $3 per player: Andre, Nick H, Mike P, Weeliam, Faizal, Rashid, Justin, Andy Tan, Isaac, Srini, Bryan F, Noor, Alex F. You can choose to leave the sum as a credit with me, or receive it in cash from me next time you see me.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 27, 2011 11:58:19 GMT 8
.... The one set of lights was left off again last week. Not having that one set of lights on leaves the side of the pitch closer to the road darker. When playing there last Wednesday, I felt that having that one side darker does affect the game to some extent. I spoke with the Sports Planet management last night. They are looking to replace the floodlights for the big pitch. Hopefully sooner rather than later. When I last went down to collect payment on Thursday, 7 April 2011, there were 2 spotlights put up below the faulty floodlight, but they were switched off. When I asked, they explained that they thought they could run the existing wiring to the faulty floodlight to the spotlights, but the spotlights also caused the lights to trip, so it must be a wiring problem, which may involve more extensive work to fix.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 27, 2011 12:03:07 GMT 8
I've done all the SMSing I can, but it doesn't look like we have enough players. That's three weeks in a row. I'll have to consider switching next Thursday's game to the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa. The main advantage of the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa over Sports Planet is that as it is more central, we also get players who otherwise only play at the weekend at the Premier Pitch @ Turf Ciy. Both the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet and the pitches at the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa are uncovered, so no difference there. However, we don't have the problem with the lighting at Khalsa that we have at Sports Planet. On the other hand, as the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet is not very popular with other groups, the 10 to 11 pm slot is usually free, so they allow us to continue for 20 to 40 minutes after 10 pm. While everyone gets good value for money, some players pace themselves for one hour, so they struggle in the extra time, while others who may have to leave soon after 10 pm end up staying later than they should. It is strictly one hour at Khalsa, so everyone needs to get there on time.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 27, 2011 12:06:33 GMT 8
The numbers for Thursday night game at Sports Planet have always been volatile - up to 3 reserves some weeks, short of players other weeks. However, the Thursday night game has now been cancelled three weeks in a row due to insufficient numbers. I'll have to consider switching next Thursday's game to the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa. .... The main advantage of the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa over Sports Planet is that we also get players who otherwise only play at the weekend at the Premier Pitch @ Turf Ciy. Both the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet and the pitches at the Premier Pitch @ Khalsa are uncovered, so no difference there. However, we don't have the problem with the lighting at Khalsa that we have at Sports Planet. On the other hand, as the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet is not very popular with other groups, the 10 to 11 pm slot is usually free, so they allow us to continue for 20 to 40 minutes after 10 pm. While everyone gets good value for money, some players pace themselves for one hour, so they struggle in the extra time, while others who may have to leave soon after 10 pm end up staying later than they should. It is strictly one hour at Khalsa, so everyone needs to get there on time.
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Post by Dhiraj on Apr 27, 2011 23:32:24 GMT 8
All games to Khalsa!
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 10:37:02 GMT 8
As there is an extra 7-a-side game at Khalsa next Monday, I may just skip next Thursday. I plan to switch next Saturday's game (7 May 2011) to Khalsa to see how it goes. We could also mark the occasion of the general elections with PAP (Whites) v Opposition (Reds)!  Let's see how it goes. Longer term: .... If the game is at Khalsa, there is no longer any question of 8-a-side. It might make sense to switch/keep games designated as 7-a-side to Khalsa and allow up to 8-a-side at Turf City. The Saturday game is designated as 7-a-side, but we sometimes end up with 8-a-side at Turf City. The Sunday game is designated 8-a-side at Turf City. The Sunday evening game will remain at Turf City, the Monday night game will remain at The Cage, and the Tuesday night game will remain at Sports Planet.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 10:50:00 GMT 8
.... The wet surface made ball control a bit difficult, with the ball going out of play frequently. A good game nevertheless. .... The pitch was wet in the preceding two weeks as well. We were using a standard size 5 ball. A futsal may have helped improve control. The netting is similar to that for the 5-a-side pitches at Sports Planet. When we played 5-a-side at Sports Planet, we played off the side nets. Playing off the side nets at Khalsa would give the 7-a-side game a better flow. I've put it up for a vote by adding a poll to this thread. The poll will remain open indefinitely. We'll stick to the side lines for 6-a-side at Khalsa.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 13:39:35 GMT 8
.... Sports Planet has agreed to reimbursing part of the cost. It works out to $3 per player: Andre, Nick H, Mike P, Weeliam, Faizal, Rashid, Justin, Andy Tan, Isaac, Srini, Bryan F, Noor, Alex F. You can choose to leave the sum as a credit with me, or receive it in cash from me next time you see me. Those who are not regulars can let me know through their introducers. This is for the game at Sports Planet on Thursday, 24 February 2011, when the lights went out for about 15 minutes.
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PRG Player
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Post by Fred on Apr 29, 2011 13:39:47 GMT 8
I thought the khalsa pitch was bigger than the TC pitch ? 
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Post by Boris on Apr 29, 2011 13:45:25 GMT 8
its slightly smaller actually
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 13:54:19 GMT 8
Boris, Fred was being facetious. The Premier Pitch inform me that the big pitch at Turf City is 36m x 27m while the 7-a-side pitch at Khalsa is 36m x 24m. Fred maintains that the Khalsa pitch is not just narrower, but shorter too. A couple of other players who have played both venues agree with him. The only solution is to bring a measuring tape next time. 
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PRG Player
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Post by Fred on Apr 29, 2011 14:11:05 GMT 8
After reading the posts in this thread I'm not sure switching the saturday game to khalsa might be a popular decision.
Can you put up a poll to find out ?
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Post by Jye on Apr 29, 2011 14:15:49 GMT 8
Rajiv
I am a regular for the Sat games..don't mind 7 or 8 a side but prefer to keep the game at Turf city which is covered and near my home! S'pore weather can be unpredictable and having covered pitch pretty much g'tee that we get a game regardless of weather. My 2 cents worth
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PRG Player
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Post by Raj Singh on Apr 29, 2011 14:16:24 GMT 8
It's smaller for sure or either the lightings could play a major part.
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 14:28:54 GMT 8
After reading the posts in this thread I'm not sure switching the saturday game to khalsa might be a popular decision. Can you put up a poll to find out ? The election day switch is intended to be a one-off. My intention is to leave the Saturday at Turf City for a while longer, and perhaps put up a poll after 7 May 2011 to decide the longer term position. For me, the main advantage of Khalsa is that as it is more central, we get a mix of players who otherwise only play at either Turf City or Sports Planet. The Sunday game will remain at Turf City in any event.
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Post by Dhiraj on Apr 29, 2011 14:31:00 GMT 8
My vote is to play off side nettings at Khalsa. More flow, less stoppages. My unabashedly biased view is to have more games at Khalsa
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PRG Player
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Post by Fred on Apr 29, 2011 14:56:46 GMT 8
No matter what the size of the pitch I think playing the lines makes for better quality football as players have to be more accurate with their passing.
On a different note there's another thing that doesn't work in favour of khalsa, at least for midweek games : the availability of taxis in the area. Had to wait 20 min the other day, couldn't book either. Maybe we should include a car-pooling option in the game thread?
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PRG Player
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Post by Raj Singh on Apr 29, 2011 17:05:18 GMT 8
Parking is really challenging but i had to lie to the security that i was there for a function and thankfully there was really a function . Thank god , he only saw my jersey and not my shorts therefore allowed me to park in the building . Probably the next round , i better call Khalsa in advance to check if there is any function . Security guard might be thinking this guy must be a VIP for coming weekly for all functions . Who knows i might get a Salute the next time when i drive in
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Post by Rajiv on Apr 29, 2011 17:15:55 GMT 8
No matter what the size of the pitch I think playing the lines makes for better quality football as players have to be more accurate with their passing. .... True, if all the players have a good touch, but we're a mixed bunch, and some may not have that great a touch, while others would like to run a lot more. Playing off the side nets (for the 5-a-side pitch at Sports Planet) or side padding (for the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet and at The Cage) has shown that the quality doesn't drop by much, but the fun increases a lot. Anyway, I'll go with the vote. .... On a different note there's another thing that doesn't work in favour of khalsa, at least for midweek games : the availability of taxis in the area. Had to wait 20 min the other day, couldn't book either. Maybe we should include a car-pooling option in the game thread? I think taxis are a problem across Singapore at that time. Walk about 5 minutes towards the restaurants on Race Course Road or the 24-hour shopping at Mustafa Centre, and I think the chances of catching a taxi increase substantially. Car pooling is an option. And of course, there is always the MRT. Parking is really challenging but i had to lie to the security that i was there for a function and thankfully there was really a function . Thank god , he only saw my jersey and not my shorts therefore allowed me to park in the building . Probably the next round , i better call Khalsa in advance to check if there is any function . Security guard might be thinking this guy must be a VIP for coming weekly for all functions . Who knows i might get a Salute the next time when i drive in I've managed to get parking along Tessensohn Road each time. It's only $1 from 9 to 10 pm, and then free after 10 pm. Even if you can't get parking on Tessensohn Road, you should be able to get parking in the Civil Service Club next door to Khalsa or on the parallel stretch of Race Course Road. Using the location map here, you can move it around to see the layout of the surrounding area.
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Post by Rajiv on May 3, 2011 9:38:23 GMT 8
.... The election day switch is intended to be a one-off. My intention is to leave the Saturday at Turf City for a while longer, and perhaps put up a poll after 7 May 2011 to decide the longer term position. The Sunday game will remain at Turf City in any event. and It's a one-off. See it as an adventure - trying something new. Of those who regularly play Saturdays, only Fred, Dhiraj, Azmi, Lynz, Rajseran, Arijit and Boris have tried the Khalsa pitch so far. Open air, sunshine or a bit of drizzle, maybe a wet pitch - see it as getting closer to real football. If you absolutely cannot bear the thought of playing at Khalsa instead of Turf City, even as a one-off, there's always the Sunday game at Turf City. You do need the right type of shoes though for Khalsa (as with the 7-a-side pitch at Sports Planet). Click on the link for more information. There's no point putting it up for a poll if not many players have tried the Khalsa pitch.
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