Boys U18/U16 Inter-Districts & Men’s National/Regional League dates recheduled


Due to a clash with the boy’s Under 16 and Under 18 Inter-District
events, all men’s National and Regional League matches which were
scheduled for the 1st and 2nd October will now be moved to Saturday
8th October and Sunday 9th October respectively.

BOYS U16 / U18 INTER DISTRICTS

The Boys U16 and U18 Inter Districts will now be played on the
weekend of the 1st/2nd October (a change from 8th/9th October which
was issued last week).  The 1st/2nd October was, in fact, the
original scheduled dates for the U16 / U18 events but due to pitch
non-availability at Peffermill, planning re-focussed to the
following weekend (i.e. 8th/9th October).  However, on
publication of the schedule last week, it became apparent that two
issues remained more significant than was originally appreciated.
  Firstly, with October holidays in Highland, North and
Midland commencing on Friday 7th October, non-availability amongst
players, coaches and officials was revealed to be greater than
anticipated.  Secondly, significant planning for the weekend
of the 1st / 2nd October had already been undertaken by some
Districts that would be difficult to unravel.  Concurrently,
the pitch availability issue improved following negotiations.
 Maximum possible attendance for this performance event is
desirable and as a result, the Boys U16 and U18 Inter Districts
will take place in Edinburgh; at Peffermill on Saturday 1st October
and at another Edinburgh venue (TBC) on Sunday 2nd October.

MEN’S NATIONAL & REGIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES

The unfortunate knock on effect of this is that the men’s National
and Regional league fixtures will now be rescheduled, with games
which were due to be played on the weekend of the 1st/2nd October
being rescheduled for weekend of the 8th/9th October (see attached
revised men’s schedules).  It is hoped that this amendment,
five days after original issue and ten weeks ahead of the dates in
question, will not cause too much inconvenience.  It is also
acknowledged that this will entail alterations to other
fixtures.

SUMMARY

Since this clash of dates was revealed, considerable work has taken
place to ensure that the best decision for Scottish Hockey as a
whole was made, including wide discussions with District
Presidents, District Youth Convenors and the Honorary President.
 The non-availability of certain District players, coaches and
officials for the Inter Districts, and the subsequent devaluation
of the competition was balanced against the potential disruption to
some of the men’s Senior Clubs.

On balance, it was deemed that to revert the Inter Districts to 1st
/ 2nd October was the way forward.

It should be pointed out that the requirement to change dates has
been outwith the responsibility of the Competitions and Events
Manager, who continues to work to minimise amendments to the
programme.  Scottish Hockey apologises for any inconvenience
caused to the senior clubs and thanks those that have worked so
hard over the last five days to assess impacts and consider
solutions.

Thank you.

 

Scottish Hockey have made an amendment to fixture
schedules following a clash with the Boys U18 & U16
Inter-District event and the Men’s National and Regional League
fixtures.

The Boys U18 & U16 Inter-District will now
be played on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October
(a change from 8th & 9th October dates which were issued by
Scottish Hockey last week).

Subsequently, all Men’s National and
Regional League matches which were scheduled for the
weekend of Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd October will now
be moved to Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th October
respectively.

Background

The 1st & 2nd October was, in fact, the original scheduled
dates for the Boys U18 & U16 Inter-District
event but due to pitch non-availability at
Peffermill, planning re-focussed to the following weekend (i.e.
8th/9th October).

However, on publication of the schedule last week, it
became apparent that two issues remained more significant than was
originally appreciated:

  1. With October holidays in Highland, North and Midland commencing
    on Friday 7th October, non-availability amongst players, coaches
    and officials was revealed to be greater than anticipated.
  2. Secondly, significant planning for the weekend of the 1st &
    2nd October had already been undertaken by some Districts that
    would be difficult to alter.

Concurrently, the pitch availability issue improved
following negotiations.

Maximum possible attendance for this performance event is
desirable and as a result, the Boys U18 & U16
Inter-District event will take place in
Edinburgh at Peffermill on Saturday 1st October and at another
Edinburgh venue (TBC) on Sunday 2nd October.

The unfortunate knock-on effect is that the Men’s National and
Regional league fixtures will now be rescheduled, with games which
were due to be played on the weekend of the 1st & 2nd October
being rescheduled for weekend of the 8th/9th October.

It is hoped that this amendment, five days after original issue
and ten weeks ahead of the dates in question, will not cause too
much inconvenience.

Decision

Since this clash of dates was revealed, considerable work has
taken place to ensure that the best decision for Scottish hockey as
a whole was made, including wide discussions with District
Presidents, District Youth Convenors and the Honorary
President.

The non-availability of District players, coaches and officials
for the Inter District event, and the subsequent devaluation of the
competition was balanced against the potential disruption to some
of the men’s senior Clubs.

On balance, it was deemed that to revert the Inter
District to 1st & 2nd October was the way forward.

It should be pointed out that the requirement
to change dates has been outwith the responsibility of the
Competitions and Events Manager, who continues to work to minimise
amendments to the programme.

Scottish Hockey apologises for any inconvenience caused to the
senior clubs and thanks those that have worked so hard over the
last five days to assess impacts and consider solutions.

Thank you.

Robert Heatly MBE
CEO, Scottish Hockey

 

 

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