Fuck this country bullshit: polo developed as a regional sport. At least this way partisan bullshit is limited to areas defined by geography, not as Kev said arbitrary borders that ignore cultural similarities and differences. I mean, I'd go to a national championship, but I'd rather rep a jersey saying I was the best in Cascadia than the best in Canada.
National Championships
I’m curious as to what people think of Nationals as opposed to NA’s. I brought it up in the “Tour” thread but figured it warrants having a separate discussion.
I think there are a variety of pros to splitting it up.
-Two large tournaments instead of one. For example two 48 team tournaments allows more people to play then one 64 team tournament.
-Travel. No worries about crossing borders. Travel costs (in most cases) would be less. Domestic flights are easier and usual cheaper. Driving becomes an option more often.
-Bragging rights. Two teams can be named the best in their country.
In two years of playing polo I have played with players from all over NA and the world but I have not played with players from the two provinces to the east of me. The regional division in Canada is sort of wacky. It seems Saskatoon and Winnipeg have a hard time making some of the larger tournaments. Even Edmonton. In all the tournaments I’ve been to I’ve only been to three with other Edmonton players. We could easily split into a western and central region in Canada. Or even a western, prairie, central system. I don’t think much goes on east of Montreal. I’ve contacted Halifax a few times about joining the league but nothing has come of it. In the future I’m sure more cities will start playing there and need to be represented by an eastern region.
I envision having National Championship jerseys that teams would wear throughout the year. A golden mallet is all good but what do you do with it? In professional cycling it is a huge honour to don a national or world champ jersey and you wear it through the season with pride. I know myself in others really want to see this.
I’d like to see what Americans think of this as well. If they were to use a similar system it would take a major revamp of the regions. Or would it?
Where does Mexico fit into this? Would NAs still exist?
I agree. Canadian championships sounds cool but boring also. Flights in Canada are way more expensive. However the map of North America should be reevaluated. Saskatoon, Calgary and Edmonton should not be included in Cascadia. Great plains region next year???
Yes Saskatoon, Edmonton and Calgary for a Great plains region.
I kind of agree with Rory!
Plus Winnipeg, seriously there are no hills here
Rory is boring
it would be easier to get sport grant money for a national tournament.
regarding flights isn't it a lot cheaper to fly anywhere westjet flies within canada (pretty much everywhere) than anywhere in they US the don't? (pretty much everywhere..)
It's a big world Josh. There are airlines other than westjet.
i was just saying that if you need to have air network to support major tournaments, i like the idea of know it's gonna be within a $600 return flight (westjet's canada network) rather than up to $1200 for some places in the US. if you aren't leaving yvr yyz or yul your US destination options for a $600 return are generally vegas, california, and florida
Provincials, state championships, nationals and worlds are all very important events in cycling and it allows riders of all levels to compete.
I like this, I just don't think we're there yet.
As far as I can tell Edmonton has winter just like us. Way too fucking cold with lots of snow.
I like the idea of a Canadian tourney. It generally costs us way less to fly anywhere in Canada than the states. We have the beauty of being small or at least isolated making travel expensive.
You're all welcome to move to East Van. Flights from Seattle are usually cheap. Or move to Toronto and drive to lots of tournaments.
P.S. I wouldn't spend $600 to go to a tournament unless it is Europe.
Already considering the move to East Van. Sounds like a nice place to be.
i put an ad up on craigslist "landscape architect for hire, anywhere with bike polo and a longer season than edmonton" but so far no replies
http://www.leagueofbikepolo.com/forum/off-topic/2010/04/09/sell-your-cit...
People like green in this city. I bet you could get hired.
I think Bottles just wants to wear another National Jersey. His misses his racing ones, cause most of us polo types don't really care about how fast he used to be.
Solution: leave NAH alone for now (thought what Rory says has merit) and GIVE BOTTLES AN "IM KING OF CANADA" JERSEY!
Fuck it Chris just make the Edmonton tournament the 2011 nationals. If you want to be considered the best in Canada be there or you don't get the jersey. Only Canadian players/teams?
Exactly!
Bottles I can make you your very own fur Jersey in electro argyll and have it labelled "Hand made by Machine"
i'm kinda drunk, and i don't mean to be a downer drunk, but i don't really see the point of a national championship. I've travelled across the US/Canada border a half dozen times for polo, but i've never traveled west for polo (not out of lack of desire, i can't wait for it this summer). it's just really fucking far. the 49th parallel is the product of some pretty arbitrary history. Sure Canada has some distinct "culture" or whatever, but Vancouver has more in common with Seattle than it does with Toronto, and Alberta minus edmonton has way more in common with Texas (and i'm not talking about alexis) than it does with the maritimes. there are a few sports in canada where canadian championships are important, but they're few and far between. Tournament of Hearts anyone? Grey Cup? Also, logistically, domestic flights are def not cheaper, unless you're flying to the province next door. also, i want to be able to play at the highest level with teammates from any country or region, not from within my province's borders or whatever.