Here's my detailed review of the day......
1. Fields - all in all excellent. Noticed there is a dip on field 4 - wonder why you couldn't change it so it ran the other way, 90 deg to the field 3 so that the slope doesn't come into play?
2. General layout - I really like the fact that teams are encouraged to pit from the far side - and if anything, make it a requirement. As long as there is ample cover (i.e. a tent per team) there is no reason why this shouldn't be an issue.
3. Entry to fields - I agree that this needs to be improved. With the extra width on the fields, why not make a netted dead box/entry point on the
inside of each field at each end (staging side only)? This will give 2 benefits, firstly safety and also make it easier to ref - counting dead players etc........and also not take up any more space on the staging side either.
4. Some thick rope to define field size - noticed a few teams yesterday were called out for going out of bounds, which is currently marked by a dotted orange line (not the easiest thing to see when the adrenaline is pumping) and a thick rope will also be again easier to ref if a player steps out.
5. Schedules - Be good to perhaps have an ultimate ref in a netted area on the 50 line, staging side, so that teams can have a definite point of contact on each field. Also then any enquiries can be made about the schedule without going on field or shouting to a ref.
Just to add to this, what about having a simple board on display behind the ultimate ref area which shows the teams playing, and the next teams to play? Like a menu display board.....you can then get the team names printed/laminated (only done once as the locked divs are all the same teams anyway) that you can just quickly switch between games? Also give each ultimate a megaphone (our team would happily donate 4 megaphones to the cause) to call for the next teams on field.
6. Other areas - toilets were well placed with 2 in between each field (and clean!!!). Whilst the weather is good mud isn't an issue, but I think when it starts getting wet and muddy, it might be worth looking at wood chipping the staging areas and walkways between each field. Not a great cost and a great way to keep the mud to a minimum.
7. Car parking - again, fine yesterday, but when winter comes around, it's going to get messy. Only real way around this is to hardcore a parking area at the top of the site, only allowing vendors (and Lamborghinis) access to further down the fields - again, perhaps even hardcore a vendor area half way down the site to allow for a U shaped shopping/food area where there is a concentration of heavy foot traffic.
8. End of day's play - not fussed about prizes, but it would be good to perhaps have a gathering of teams on their played fields for a rundown of results and a bit of banter/thank yous.
9. Reffing - This is a tricky one, and don't get me wrong, I think the refs did an AMAZING job in the heat yesterday, but I would prefer it to be a little bit stricter than it was yesterday. Yes, let's keep it light and fun, but make things too lax......it doesn't do anyone any favours.
10. Crono areas - to kill two birds with one stone, you could have one of the dead boxes on each field also set up as a crono area to one side of the netting. Then for each team's first game they must enter via this entrance and a ref can check the crono of each marker.
I've attached a quick image I drew up to show the above ideas
Thanks for reading
