2017 ALL SCHOOLS MEMO #1
3 February 2017
NEWS
Welcome to the Qld All Schools Championships. In receiving this memo your school has
nominated for the largest touch football event in the world.
Problem is – we can’t fit you all in!!
Today as stand at just over the 410 team limit, an increase from last year and over 70 teams
on the reserve list.
Also by receiving the memos it means I have you down as the relevant contact for your
school and all teams nominated – if there should be someone else please let me know. I
only wish to deal with one person per school. I have attached my contact list – please
peruse and send back to me if incorrect or has errors.
Let me say now that while I will keep you up to date with memos, everything you need is on
the website. (www.qldallschools.com.au)
We hope this will enhance both communication and the quality of the experience for
everyone.
Throughout the year I will place all memos on the website so they can be retrieved for
reference. It goes without saying that my biggest problem is not the organization of the
event itself - it is usually with hopelessly organized school contacts or sports coordinators
who don’t read anything and expect me to pick up the pieces when they stuff up.
Please read all information carefully and pass on to your coaches to avoid issues and dare
I say – penalties!
NOMINATIONS LIST & FINANCIAL STATUS
I have attached for your scrutiny the Nominations list as it stands today. Please check
carefully and alert me to any errors – it is easy to place a team in the wrong column.
You will notice that second teams in any division are gone from the list as notified to you.
Unless you notified me that they were to remain, whereby they were placed at the back of
the reserve queue, I removed them altogether. Again check that there are no errors here.
Unless you specified the names of referees in your nomination you will see a ref surcharge
($345 one off levy) may have been added to your bill. Verify this also. Those who have not
confirmed whether they have a referee or not need to do so asap to avoid the levy.
(see also re teacher referees below)
Invoices will begin to be processed next Wednesday – so please let me know any errors with
the amount owing by then.
PARTICIPATION ADVICE
I have attached a copy of the “Participation Advice” which is your first job. This must be
returned asap. I understand that some things may not be able to be advised – but you can
update later when you know more. It is also available from the Tournament Downloads tab
where you will find a host of other relevant documents. The main purpose of this advice is
to confirm information already provided as well as provide specifics like when you will be
arriving at the event or your Preliminary Game preference etc.
This advice is also used if you wish to fully explain your circumstances in the case of special
requests and or obtaining an event “seed”.
PAYMENT PROCESS – IMPORTANT!!!
The All Schools fee is the same as last year - $350.00 including GST. Please be aware that it is
critical you pay on receipt of the invoice which will be forwarded to the school contact
teacher’s email (TO GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE) as we will not be continuing the practice of
placing un-financial teams into the draw. In previous years I have done this and a number of
schools have then turned around (after the draw has been completed) and withdrawn. Unfinancial teams will be notified once and once only that they are yet to pay and given a final
payment date. No further contact will be made after this. Hopefully this will put a stop to
the many annoying late minute withdrawals which effectively make it impossible for many
reserve teams to commit at short notice.
The draw is constructed from week 2 term 2 and once I start anyone in the draw will be up
for 100% of the fee should they withdraw.
PRELIMINARY GAMES
As you would be aware it is an obligation and a condition of your entry that you play a
preliminary game. The Preliminary games are usually played in term 3. This rule may not
apply to some teams due to their remote location (including International teams) however,
it is planned that as many preliminary games as possible be played in order to reduce the
amount of games at the event, which in turn allows for more entries to be taken.
To double check that you are required to play a preliminary game – see Preliminary Games
schedule when the draw is released. If you are not on it – you are lucky.
This year you will be given an opportunity to cite your preference for the playing of this
game. There are 4 options namely –
a. Play in the local cluster as per previous years. This format allows schools to travel to
a central venue, and play their game as per the draw and have the organization done
for them. The clusters will be at – Redlands Showgrounds(Cleveland), Whites Hill
(Brisbane), and Owen Park (Southport).
b. Play at a regional All Schools. Many regions run these events before-hand and often
involve teams from outside your immediate area. Therefore, you can opt to play the
Prelim game here. (Region All Schools events are usually conducted in Sunshine
Coast, Wide Bay, Brisbane and South West.)
c. Organize your own game. You may wish to link up with other schools within a
reasonable driving distance and opt to play a prelim game at your own time and
place. I should be able to link up any schools who would prefer this option.
d. Play a late evening game at the QAS event. This option will be open to those who do
not really want to play before the event. If this is the case, then I may be able to link
similar preferences together. Certainly this may involve many country and
International schools who cannot be part of the prelim game process, as this year
country and International schools will be required for later time slots (up to 8pm) on
any given evening to catch up games etc.
There are no guarantees in any of the above and I will only do what is best for all.
SEEDS
Given the many new schools to this event, and the fact that there is a lot of
misunderstanding about the seeding process – I refer you all to the Event info tab on the
website. Typically, in the draw there will be in any given pool – a seed and then up to 7
teams allocated at random and usually following the guide below.
1. Seed
2. Brisbane school
3. Gold Coast school
4. Sunshine Coast school
5. Country school
6. Private school
The Pool is backfilled with schools from the same area to accommodate the preliminary
games. E.g. 2 Bris schools or 2 Gold Coast schools etc.
Importantly if you think you have a very good shot at the Championship and would require a
seed (to avoid meeting other similarly good schools in the same pool) please sell your case
in the relevant section of the Participation Advice.
Please note – seed allocations may be adjusted even after the draw is completed in order
to ensure a fair competition.
IMPORTANTLY – When justifying a seed application, you need to follow these guidelines –
1. Explain which team you want the seed for. A different case for each team is
necessary.
2. Be specific – not general when stating why you think this team should be seeded –
citing examples of record or rep players etc. The more info the better chance to be
place appropriately.
3. A lack of information like – “previous performances”, “see our record”, “our teams
have rep players”, and, “5 out of 6 teams made finals”, is not good enough. I know a
bit about touch but I am no mind reader. Remember seeds need to be completed
early to start the draw – e.g. end of term 1!!
4. Please note – seed allocations may be adjusted even after the draw is completed in
order to ensure a fair competition.
Insufficient information will be treated as no information.
PLAYING STATUS
You will see the section (Participation Advice) asking for information regarding your playing
status. This is primarily for schools who have a “limited” registration – that is – they can only
play at certain times during the event. Please be clear when filling this out. If your
parameters are too difficult or doesn’t suit the draw – you may forfeit your spot to a reserve
school.
DRAW & PLAYING POOLS
This will be available in term 2. So you have until Easter to pay and be financial.
REFEREES
Given the large number of games to be played we require an extraordinary amount of
officials. (We spent over $32000 on refs last year) It is the intention of TFA to encourage as
many student referees as possible to attend. The requirement of entry is for each school to
supply one referee up to two teams and then 2 referees for more than two teams.
Should you not be able to satisfy this condition a one off $345 surcharge applies – not $345
per team!
Teachers are welcome to referee, however if you put your name down as the designated
referee – you are expected to do a minimum of 10 games at the QAS to avoid the surcharge.
Please note - All referees however need to be attired in the official TFA referee uniform in
2017 (That is the green one!!) Please be aware of this when planning.
More information for referees will be placed on the referee tab of the website at a later
date.
ALL SCHOOLS (SUMMARY) CHECKLIST
School contacts must do list –
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
School Contact list – check the details and return with errors corrected. If contact
details are ok - do nothing.
Nominations list – check that I have the correct divisions you nominated including
the number of teams etc. Check the amount due as “owing” is also correct, including
the referee surcharge etc.
Participation Advice – complete and return to me immediately. If you cannot advise
certain details – still send and update me later when known. Provide loads of facts
when applying for a seed – otherwise forget it!
Invoice – Await your invoice and action immediately on receipt. It will come to the
designated contact so ensure the office is aware and pays promptly.
Check the website for all other information you require including conditions of play,
documentation, progression to finals, seed information etc.
Peter Bell (Tournament Director)