Tournament Proposal: Swiss Bike Polo League
Objective:
To establish a bike polo league in Switzerland, with a format to be determined, providing Swiss teams with additional opportunities to meet and play throughout the year, complementing the annual Swiss Championship. This league aims to strengthen community cohesion, improve the level of play through more frequent competition, promote inclusivity, and energize the entire community.
Competition format:
- Number of Teams: 10 to 12 teams.
- Format: The exact format is yet to be defined, but it should align with the Swiss Championship. The idea is to have a league with games spread over several days (3 to 4 non-consecutive days) throughout the year. Matches could take place, for example, on 3 Saturdays during the year.
- Schedule: The competition days will be scheduled in advance, considering the teams’ availability.
- Location: Matches will be organized in different Swiss cities, depending on the availability of courts and local organization. Central cities could host these events to minimize travel distances.
Specific rules:
- 4v4 Mixed Format?
- Match Duration: 16 or 18 minutes?
Structure:
- Matchups: Each team will play against all other teams at least once during the season.
- Standings: Teams will earn points in the overall standings (win: 3 points, draw: 1 point, loss: 0 points).
- Final Standings: A final ranking will be established after the last match day, determining the league champions. Considering the existence of the Swiss Championship, we could even use the league’s final standings to set up the groups for the championship. This would reward consistent performance throughout the year and add extra stakes to the league participation.
- Tiebreakers: In case of a tie in points, goal difference, the number of goals scored, and head-to-head results will be used as tiebreakers.
Advantages of this format:
- Flexibility: Teams are not constrained by a tight schedule, making it easier to participate over several months.
- Cohesion and Competition: This format allows for regular competition and strengthens bonds between players from different regions, while fostering gradual improvement.
Organization:
- Coordination?
- Registration: Teams must register by a set deadline.
- Costs: Registration fees will be determined based on organizational costs (court rentals, refereeing, etc.) and shared among the teams.
More questions and considerations:
Presence of Teams:
- Consider whether all teams need to be present on each league day.
- Explore alternatives such as flexible match scheduling, allowing teams to meet anytime in a city of their choice.
- A combined approach could include three main common match days, with the possibility for teams to reschedule and make up missed games at another time.
Time Commitment:
- Assess how much time participants are willing to invest.
- Develop a format that allows participation even if a team only has one/two Saturdays available throughout the year.
Team Stability and Participation:
- Reflect on the ability of teams to remain stable, especially for those who rarely attend tournaments.
This proposal is a starting point. I invite all teams and players to discuss the details to refine the format and ensure it reflects the values and expectations of the Swiss bike polo community.
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