UK City Championship Dates 2006/2007 season

[Ace_Gaming]

We did eventually get the rest of our booster support through btw - so better late then never.

After speaking with a few people I'm not actually convinced that TPFG is entireley at fault with what's happened with the City Championships. However there definately IS a huge breakdown in communications between TPFG and TO's, and something which could be resolved very swiftly with very little cost.

It's a great shame how things stand at the moment; let's hope things improve soon...

 

[NoPoke]

We did eventually get the rest of our booster support through btw - so better late then never.

I'm glad that you got something.. I don't think anyone else has.

After speaking with a few people I'm not actually convinced that TPFG is entireley at fault with what's happened with the City Championships.

If not TPFG then who? They are tasked with providing OP. TPFG have repeatedly turned down offers of help promising that all is well, or will be fixed soon. Always "Jam tommorow". Good grief they cant even successfully send out an email. And when they are informed that there is a problem don't follow up to ensure that important emails are received by all. Then theres the answerphone: " leave a message and we'll call you back": ROFLOL.

However there definately IS a huge breakdown in communications between TPFG and TO's, and something which could be resolved very swiftly with very little cost.

SNAFU. Been this way for ages. I wish there was some reason to believe that things will improve. It would be foolish to ignore past history

It's a great shame how things stand at the moment; let's hope things improve soon...

Hope. Is that all we are left with?

I don't think that there is anything new in my reply. Colin left about a year ago to join Wizards for reasons that wont be posted here. Its been the slippery slope ever since. I'm a very patient person by nature. Probably a little bit too trusting. I don't want to get all 'dutch' on this (with appologies to Lia) But somehow we have to get OP functioning properly in the UK. We got off to a reasonable start in the UK, but you only have to look at the pokemon specific part of tpfg's website to see that this is no longer the case.

Why am I so grumpy... well I hear on the grapevine that I probably wont be recompensed for the CC I ran on Saturday. Grumpy because of what I heard and grumpy because it was the grapevine! Now if only TPFG would actually contact me and explain what is going on. I've tried calling them.....

 

[TheGame]

I'm not sure if there is light at the end of the tunnel, but I managed to speak to Carl today and he has informed me that the CC kits have now arrived with Tpfg and they are being sent out early this week, so all being well we should be in possession of them by the end of this week! Now I'm well aware of the well known phrase about the pinch of salt and seeing is believing but hope springs eternal..................!

 

[afirule]

Why am I so grumpy... well I hear on the grapevine that I probably wont be recompensed for the CC I ran on Saturday.

does that mean it wont be classed as a premier event? that ***** HARD!

 

[ukpokemonpro]

Added Glouscester, Guildford and High Wycombe CC details

 

[nigelsturman]

this may be me but can somone tell me is it just the uk thats had these problems, cos the few people I know aboard have said nothing like this happend to them and in agreement with posts by others that the players are dishearterned to the point that they aren't coming any more. Now I've only been here a short time (3 years) but I've notested that the surrport and the prizes are not only geting less but are now late to arrive. Of the 5 events I have run on my own, only 1 turned up on time and most were put up 3 months before the events happened.
I and a lot of the players I have talked to, feel that we are being made to feel unwanted by pokemon usa and the pfgs and the only reason that me and a lot of these players have stayed is cos we love the game (and martins pokemon group rocks)but there is only a limit to their pachents and there is only a limit to the times that me and martin can say sorry before we lose all our players which I for one dont want to happen and nor does anyone else.
I would go on about that the high-ups should pull their finger out, but more than enough people have said that already.

 

[robrow]

it says that you have word there might be a city in truro in cornwall if this is true could u give me the info and get to it to try and get some more information about it thanks

 

[ukpokemonpro]

this may be me but can somone tell me is it just the uk thats had these problems, cos the few people I know aboard have said nothing like this happend to them and in agreement with posts by others that the players are dishearterned to the point that they aren't coming any more.

As a TO I have tried and tried over the years to shelter the players from any problems and present a positive face. Unfortunately the 2006/2007 City Season collapsed to the point where it has been impossible to do this.

Most UK TO's have handed out their own stock to at least give out the booster pack support and Ian even went as far as raiding his kids prizes from last year to hand out an almost full prize package at Crawley last week.

Now I've only been here a short time (3 years) but I've notested that the surrport and the prizes are not only geting less but are now late to arrive. Of the 5 events I have run on my own, only 1 turned up on time and most were put up 3 months before the events happened.

The reduction in support is lead by POP and is most noticeable in the Pre-releases, otherwise their support for CC's seems on a par to last year and the year before. But there are further reductions made by TPfG - Like no Judge or TO support for CC's for the last 2 years.

I and a lot of the players I have talked to, feel that we are being made to feel unwanted by pokemon usa and the pfgs and the only reason that me and a lot of these players have stayed is cos we love the game (and martins pokemon group rocks)but there is only a limit to their pachents and there is only a limit to the times that me and martin can say sorry before we lose all our players which I for one dont want to happen and nor does anyone else.

You and Martin should feed back to POP through the Professor and TO Forums and your players need to use the feedback option on your tournaments via the My Pokemon account.

I would go on about that the high-ups should pull their finger out, but more than enough people have said that already.

Doesn't stop you having an opinion about it and I am sure they do take note of feedback.

However sometimes there are other pressures that prevent action, POP are no doubt under budgetary pressures just like in any company and they will be trying to balance their books whilst still keeping the majority of their players happy.

As for other European/Worldwide OP Providers there are differences dependant on the OP Provider and who is working on it. The best seem to work closely with the Professors and TOs and some like Italy and Norway even employ them directly or indirectly.

The UK CC's have been a disaster in terms of Prizes Support and Advertising - None yet have Premier Event Status - But they have happened and the count if the others are delivered is 31 UK CC's something most other european countries will and do envy.

BUT there are lessons to be learned, the unfortunate thing is that each year there seem to be the same problems - this year they just got worse - here's hoping the lessons finally are learned.

In future we need honest and easy communication with TPfG, we need them to keep their side of the bargain in advertising and supporting our events and we need to work in partnership with them.. lets hope that we see an improvement from now on.

Back to back posts merged. The following information has been added:

it says that you have word there might be a city in truro in cornwall if this is true could u give me the info and get to it to try and get some more information about it thanks

We know nothing yet but I hope someone can tell us more.. I will be chasing TPfG once they are back from the UK Toy Fair.

 

[TheGame]

In future we need honest and easy communication with TPfG, we need them to keep their side of the bargain in advertising and supporting our events and we need to work in partnership with them.. lets hope that we see an improvement from now on.

And just as I read that paragraph by Ben,I was distracted by a huge flock of flying pink pigs that whizzed past my window and came down and began to graze in my back garden. Oh dear,oh dear where are my pills!? :lol:

 

[bulbasnore]

I was distracted by a huge flock of flying pink pigs that whizzed past my window and came down and began to graze in my back garden. Oh dear,oh dear where are my pills!?

Yes, pills b/c those were really purple Spoink. Bouncing, not flying. Sorry to hear things continue amiss.

 

[Rainbowgym]

There are many things I can comment, but I will do only two.

Did any of you realize that using CC's as qualification for Nationals could cause a problem in the current way the rating/ranking system works.

So, the UK needs to have 30+ CC's, because they will be Nationals qualifiers, while others "only" get 5-9-12?
Last year there was no problem to let a certain area/country have more CC's as others, but this season I would say it causes a real unfair advantage to do it that way.

Overall I don't support a system as used in the UK (but also Italy as I am correct) to qualify players for Nationals, it should be an open event for each UK resident. Using a qualify system for Nationals should only be used if you have such a large playersbase you cannot accomodate them and as far as I know that's not valid for any country outside the USA. (and the USA is not even using such system).


2. The problems you are facing now with TPFG are only a small part of what we have faced in the past.
But beside Ian and Ben, who always tried to help us, everybody was telling me to shut up. Even telling me, I was the one to blame.
Now problems are knocking on doors who did not expect to get those problems, and suddenly I see people raising their voice.
Where were you in the past?

Ian and Ben - patience seems the way to go (don't "go Dutch" you have NO need for that, while we had), but be prepared you have to start from scratch (nothing or less). Providing prices from you own stock doesn't make it better.
Run tournaments as you did before, but no support means no prices to give away.
Yes it will hurt, but to get a healthy OP you should not cover the mistakes of the ones responsible

 

[NoPoke]

I anticipate that 10 or more of those 30 won't run anyway because they won't receive any advertising. No one knows when or where they are to take place We could have 1000 City Championships and it would make no difference under the present system where the players dont know what events are taking place.

I'm told that there is to be a City Championship in Yeovil. But can anyone actually find out where and when?


=====

I'm not particularly keen on how the invites to UK Nationals are being handled either. If you look at last season there were only 169 players with ratings/opted in MyPokemon accounts in the UK. There seems to be little to be gained by placing yet more barriers in the path of entrants other than the evident barrier of just having a MyPokemon account. A large number of Citys in the UK certainly wont mean a big attendance at UK nationals, and nor sadly will it mean a big rating for any UK player as many of these tournaments will have zero players attending.

 

[Rainbowgym]

NoPoke - There is no advertising in more countries.
We all have the same ways to go, sanction a tournament and it will appear in the locator.
There are some private websites who display information about OP, but it's not coming from were it should coming in several countries.

Last years the UK looked to be ahead with OP of all EU countries, the ways things were arranged were more equal to the US system as anywere else.
My choises this year are for France ( Michel as head OP) and Italy (Marcello in charge of OP). Norway (Eskill) will be a good 3th, but the position of Eskill is different as for Michel or Marcello (and even those 2 differ).

Marcello has the best changes because he is under contract of PUI (if I understood correct) and the Italian LD is listening/following whatever Marcello does.
Marcello has what many "old fossil" professors wanted for their country: the LD NOT in charge of OP.
I doubt there was any choise 4 years ago for PUI other than to work with the LD's.
I hope there will be changes in the future.

 

[PokemonSteve]

I agree with the current system in the UK as it stands (but not with the prize support at this current moment in time)

If the UK was a open event then we could expect to see over 500 players at nationals.

In the last few years, in each age group there have been over 100 players (nearly 100 in 10-) and to have a open event would cause headaches for the TO, Judges, Players, parents and TOM.
This would mean that at the end of the day, everyone would be stressed, there would be at least 6-7 rounds for each age group, and that nationals would not finish in one day.

If nationals was a open event, it is possible that there would be a drop in the amount of players going to cc's, sc's, regionals, and may also effect leagues. As players would hope to strike it lucky at nationals.

 

[NoPoke]

Steve... what is the problem with a 500 player Nationals. That is surely something to aim for?

The numbers for last year weren't 100 or more. 63 in the 15+, 67 in the 11-14 , and 45 in the 10- . So thats 185 players total.

 

[Ace_Gaming]

I actually agree with steve on this one. Nationals (in the UK at least) should be an invite only event. Simply because otherwise people may not play in qualifier events such as Regionals and City Championships. Nationals is good in the fact it is an event you need to put some work into to get a chance at World's - and that helps the player base quite a lot.

It is a shame however, there is not something in place to qualify for nationals other than CC's and Regionals...perhaps a last chance qualifier may be the right way to go? It would certainly pull in the crowds.

Just as a note, we recieved all of our prize support today including the goodie bags, promos, pins etc etc. At least thats something...:wink:

 

[Magic_Umbreon]

Yey! So we get 2 next city championship?

 

[Kempley05]

Who on earth is running Harlow?! Sorry, I'm just intrigued as no-one at the league even knew about this .

 

[ukpokemonpro]

Who on earth is running Harlow?! Sorry, I'm just intrigued as no-one at the league even knew about this .

Harlow will likely be at Marquee Models - I have spoken to them in the past with regards to Leagues there - they haven't run anything for a long time and may yet not run the Harlow CC - after all just because it is planned by TPfG does not mean it will happen?

And yes where in Yeovil indeed??

Back to back posts merged. The following information has been added:

I actually agree with steve on this one. Nationals (in the UK at least) should be an invite only event. Simply because otherwise people may not play in qualifier events such as Regionals and City Championships. Nationals is good in the fact it is an event you need to put some work into to get a chance at World's - and that helps the player base quite a lot.

Ben, sorry matey I can't agree with you and steve, if we had our CC's listed as premier events the draw to play in CC's is surely the chance to earn premier points and grab a place at Worlds via that system so that you had two bites of the cherry.

Also a less frantic dash ensues for places if Nationals is not invite only, then you don't get travelling players going to as many CC's as possible to grab that qualification place and for TO's and Judges that also want to play the pressure is off there too.

Nationals should be a reward for all players not just a day out for the good, the l33t and the lucky. If others can do it why not us?

The number of CC's could then be cut and events would be bigger and better for that instead of the usual last minute dash to fit more CC's in so that everyone that wants to gets to qualify anyway..

Look at the situation now with just a month to go (aparently) we have 20 CC's still to play that's 60 places at nationals up for grabs, with 10 CC's already completed the total places so far comes to 90 and we can expect 4 or 5 regionals/states each supplying a further 24 places that's up to 120 places from Regionals and from all tournaments a total of 210 places.

Given the 20 places from premier rankings and we are now up to 230 places at UK Nationals. I doubt there are 230 committed players in the UK who would travel to Nationals.

We also know from past experience that not all players who win an invite recieve one and that there is always a scramble to get players their invites in time. An open Nationals does away with this and would likely attract more players to sign up to OP - surely a good thing?

So open up Nationals and lets all join in the party...

It is a shame however, there is not something in place to qualify for nationals other than CC's and Regionals...perhaps a last chance qualifier may be the right way to go? It would certainly pull in the crowds.

Mmmm an open tournament before the tournament? Seems that opening up the swiss rounds will do the same thing after all the top players should win through in the end.

Just as a note, we recieved all of our prize support today including the goodie bags, promos, pins etc etc. At least thats something...:wink:

I'll PM you my address so you can send me down my Prizes

 

[Kempley05]

Harlow will likely be at Marquee Models - I have spoken to them in the past with regards to Leagues there - they haven't run anything for a long time and may yet not run the Harlow CC - after all just because it is planned by TPfG does not mean it will happen?

Truth be told, as someone who goes there infrequently for league, the place just isn't large enough to hold a CC. No seating, none of the staff know pokemon well pokemon, and almost all the players run unlimited decks. Just wouldn't be practical and I don't see it happening.