Grading and Fixtures – Trials and Tribulations

With over 150 game changes and associated venue changes coupled with compatibilities round five of the grading season fixtures were finally completed.  To the credit of all concerned a total of three mistakes were found and rectified with the amended fixtures posted on the website within one hour.

One of the complications for this year is the date on which the Dromana Tournament falls.  Usually this is on the weekend of round seven but the way school holidays fall this year it has fallen during grading.  The EDJBA traditionally have allowed for deferred games due to the tournament falling during the season.  Because it falls during grading this year this has complicated the fixturing process.

Big fixtures day is fast approaching and behind the scenes our fixture officers and their very able and willing helpers have been working to set up a system that will have the season’s fixtures loaded onto the website by the end of the day.

We have come a long way in a very short time but fully realise that we have a long way to go.

We are also working on a system that will computerise the fixturing process.  As you would be aware the complication for the EDJBA is the policy of having compatibilities taken into account.  This has been an important plank of EDJBA policy over many years and ensures that the maximum number of participants can take part in the competition. 

The EDJBA still believes in this philosophy because it maximizes participation but is also realistic to recognize the enormous commitment people make on the two fixtures days.  To that end we are looking to develop and hopefully trial a system that may take some of the time and complication out of the day.

This may be in place for the winter season next year but there are no guarantees.  There are systems around that can do complicated fixturing but the cost is exorbitant and probably prohibitive for the association.

WNBL – Half Time Game

In an earlier Weekly Update I mentioned that the Bulleen Boomers are always looking for junior teams to play in half time games.  Last Sunday I witnessed a cracker of game between the Bulleen Boomers and the Dandenong Rangers which went into overtime, the Boomers finally triumphing by six points.  The lead changed twenty times during the game and was on a knife edge right up to the final whistle.

However I also witnessed, along with the packed out Veneto Club a wonderful display of basketball at halftime put on by children with a disability.  The result did not matter but the participation did. The cheers for the players matched those given in response to the deeds of the senior girls and although not too many goals were scored the ones that were were greeted with roars of appreciation.

I recommend all clubs in the EDJBA to get in touch with Robyn Maher at the Bulleen club to seek out the opportunity for juniors to play in the regular half time slot at the Boomers games.

It is an experience that is well worth it for the young players.  The looks on the faces as the children who played in last week’s left the court was a joy to behold.

Happy Hoops,

Ron Carlton

President.