New Zealand Underwater Hockey: Running a Competition

Introduction

Running a Competition

Checklist for Entry Form

Appendix 1. Knockout Structure.

Appendix 2: Round Robbins: Creation and Scoring


Introduction

This Handbook provides blow-by-blow instructions for running a typical weekend tournament. For details about the structure of each tournament, and tournament rules, refer to the Competition Guidelines (NZUWH-02.DOC).


Running a Competition

Six to Nine Months before the Competition

  1. The NZU Underwater Hockey Committee (NZUWHC) decide which city a tournament will be held in, and the approximate date for the tournament.
  2. The local Underwater Hockey committee checks that pool time is available, and advises NZUWHC of ehe best date. NZUWHC agrees with the date, and estimates how many teams can be expected, based on past tournaments. The local committee books pool time. Time must be booked for games; warmup and setup time at the start of each session; control box for officials; rooms for referee's meeting; function venue.
  3. Creche facilities are to be offered on a user pays basis. Notification to be advised with entry forms.
  4. The local committee prepares a budget for the competition, and for the function afterwards. From this, the recommended entry fee is worked out. NZUWHC are advised of the entry fee.
  5. NZUWHC in conjunction with local committee sends out newsletter advising tournament details.
  1. Check entry forms are available for distribution.

Three months before the Competition

  1. NZUWHC sends out invitations and tournament package (Item 12 is included in invitation) to likely participants, advising them to return entry and handicap forms no later than one month before the competition.
  2. NZUWHC to appoint Chief Referees.
  3. Local committee to make a decision about TShirts (or other mementos). If any are to be made available, a design is commissioned. Expect no more than a third of the competitors to buy mementos, and concentrate on larger sizes of Tshirts.
  1. Double check pool still available.

One Month before the Competition

  1. All entry forms and fees should have been received by the Competition Directors, NZUWHC. NZUWHC to forward a copy to the host club.
  2. Acknowledgement letter to go to those clubs.
  3. Budget figures confirmed and adjusted as required.
  4. All invoices and costs relating to the tournament to be forwarded to the Treasurer, NZUWHC for payment.
  5. All costs relating to anything other than the Tournament running expenses i.e. momentos, function are to be paid by the host club.
  6. NZUWHC to check all players are financial (levies can be included with the entry form). If a player is not eligible NZUWHC to contact appropriate club.
  7. Pool time is confirmed; function venue is confirmed.
  8. The local committee finds the necessary officials (apart from the Chief Referees See Section 7).
  9. A caterer is identified for the function If music is to be provided a disco or live band are identified.
  10. Ensure all trophies required are located and engraving is updated.
  11. Medals & Prizes are organised.
  12. Publicity is started. Stories about local competitors are issued. Local interest stories are issued. TV and radio are advised of the up and coming competition.
  13. TV monitors are organised also need a shortrange TV transmitter, video recorder, video tapes.
  1. The draw is drafted, and submitted to NZUWHC for approval. NZUWHC have final authority for assigning teams to divisions.

Two weeks before the Competition

  1. NZUWHC approves the draw. The programme for the competition is prepared.
  2. Details of the draw and social function needs to be sent to teams prior to the competition.
  3. Caterer and function are confirmed.
  4. Publicity continues.
  5. The pool is advised how many competitors and officials are expected. Confirm exact pool time required.
  6. Appoint a toastmaster for the function and prize giving.
  7. Check that equipment is available gongs; new pucks; goals; loud-hailer etc. If some equipment is unavailable, check with other regions who may be able to lend you the equipment.
  1. Produce timing/score schedule.

One Week before the Competition

  1. All officials are briefed.
  1. Publicity is continued.

During the Competition

  1. Captain/referees meeting (some points to consider):
  1. All equipment (stick, hats, togs matching, masks & snorkel, fins) checked by tournament referees.
  2. All players are financial with NZU and NZUWH.
  3. Each team list is signed by the team captain, indicating that the team is final.
  4. Ensure games start on time and follow schedule.
  5. Check that scores are accurate and signed by referees and Captains.
  6. Keep an eye on publicity
  7. Keep an eye on caterer.
  1. Supply results and article for NZU newsletter and Underwater Hockey newsletter.

Officials

  1. Convenor: has overall responsibility for the competition whilst it is running. Liaises with other officials, pool staff, and the general public. No deep knowledge of hockey required.
  2. Chief Referee: may have assistants. Resolves disputes with the water referees, and watches for fouls from the surface (illegal subbing, fights, players jumping the gong on the strike). Ensures that players put in the penalty box stay there for the required amount of time. Controls the gong if water referees are using hand signals.
  3. Timekeepers/Scorekeepers: make sure that the games run to time, and record the scores at the end of each game. Time players put in the penalty box. No deep knowledge of hockey required. The best way is to get a commitment from one or two people to do all the scoring, and to pay them.
  4. Publicity Officer (may sometimes be the convenor): answers questions from the press, and reports results to the local media.
  5. Water referees: these are provided by the clubs competing, or from a pool of non-playing referees.
  6. Camera operators: find these locally or from the teams competing. Any finals must be filmed by experienced camera operators.
  1. Salesman: for function tickets and Tshirts etc. Once again, this may be the convener.

The Programme

  1. An attractive cover.
  2. A welcome from the hosting committee's chairman.
  3. A history of the competition, showing past winners.
  4. A list of officials.
  5. A brief programme of events: referee's meeting: pool times: function time.
  6. The entire draw for all divisions.
  7. For each division: its draw (with space for scores); a roundrobin table (if one is held); a knockout table (if one is held); space for recording the eventual winners.
  8. A description of the function; and a map showing how to get to the venue from the pool. (It may also be necessary to have a map showing how to get to the pool).
  1. Material from advertisers and sponsors.

Prizes

  1. Medals are purchased from any of Knox Engravers in Rotorua; Kelly Engravers in Christchurch; Mayer & Toye in Wellington; Dave Parore in Auckland; , and engraved by the host club.
  2. Badges for placegetters can be purchased from Embroidery Specialists in Wellington.
  3. Include prizes for Top Referee and for Fairest Player.
  4. Bottles for winners and officials are organised.
  1. Fun prizes and special presentations are organised.

Checklist for Entry Form

      1. Entry Fee enclosed                                    



      2. Team name and swimwear colours complete               



      3. Captains name, address, phone                         



      4. Coach or Manager Address, Phone Bns / Pte / Fax       



      5. All team members cap numbers                          



      6. All levy numbers complete                             



      7. Referees                                              



      8. Preferred Division                                    



      9. Is creche required                                    


Signature: ...................................

Please return with Entry Forms

New Zealand Underwater Hockey: Event Entry Form


Event:              Venue:                     Date:               First Game:         


Team Name:                                                                          
                     Division:                                                      

Manager or contact:                                                                 

Address:                                                                            



Day phone                                   Night phone                             
     Fax                                                                            


Players Names                         Player   Cap     NZU        UWH Levy   Captain/    
Grade    Num     Number     num        Ref Level   






















Entry Fee Calculation

Team Entry                             

Tournament Levy $5 per                 
player                                 

Predeposit for travel                  
equalisation                           

Total cheque enclosed                  

Team travel cost                       


Post to ..................................., to arrive by ...................... Late entries may be penalised.


Appendix 1. Knockout Structure.

Four teams: (4 games, including 1 for losers)

Seed 1              }                                      

                    }                }                     

Seed 4              }                }                     

                                     }        (winner)     

Seed 2              }                }        (loser is    
                                     second)               

                    }                }                     

Seed 3              }                                      



                    loser 2&3        }                     

                                     }      (third)        

                    loser 1&4        }      (loser is      
                                     fourth)               


Five teams: (5 games, including 1 for losers)

                Seed 1          }                                

                                }                                

Seed 4          }               }                }               

                }               }                }               

Seed 5          }                                }               

                                }                } (winner)      

                Seed 2          }                } (loser is     
                                                 second)         

                                }                }               

                Seed 3          }                                



                                loser 2&3        }               

                                                 } (third)       

                                loser 1&4        }(loser is      
                                                 fourth)         


Six teams: (7 games, including 2 for losers)

               Seed 1      }                              

                           }                              

Seed 4       }             }             }                

             }             }             }                

Seed 5       }                           }                

                                         }(winner)        

               Seed 2      }             }(loser is       
                                         second)          

                           }             }                

Seed 3       }             }             }                

             }             }                              

Seed 6       }                                            

                            loser 2&3    }                

                                         }(third)         

                            loser 1&4    } (loser is      
                                         fourth)          



                            loser 4&5    }                

                                         }      (fifth)   

                            loser 3&6    }      (loser    
                                         is sixth)        


Seven teams: (9 games, including 3 for losers)

               Seed 1      }                               

                           }              }                

Seed 4       }             }              }                

             }             }              }                

Seed 5       }                            }                

                                          } (winner)       

Seed 2       }                            } (loser is      
                                          second)          

             }             }              }                

Seed 7       }             }              }                

                           }              }                

Seed 3       }             }                               

             }             }                               

Seed 6       }                                             

                            loser 2&3     }                

                                          }(third)         

                            loser 1&4     } (loser is      
                                          fourth)          



                           loser 4&5      }                

                                          }(fifth)         

             loser 3&6     }              }(loser is       
                                          sixth)           

                           }              }                

             loser 2&7     }                               

                           (loser is                       
                           seventh)                        


Eight teams: (12 games, including 5 for losers)

Seed 1       }                                            

             }             }                              

Seed 8       }             }                              

                           }             }                

Seed 4       }             }             }                

             }             }             }                

Seed 5       }                           }                

                                         }(winner)        

Seed 2       }                           }(loser is       
                                         second)          

             }             }             }                

Seed 7       }             }             }                

                           }             }                

Seed 3       }             }                              

             }             }                              

Seed 6       }                                            

                            loser 2&3    }                

                                         }(third)         

                            loser 1&4    }(loser is       
                                         fourth)          



             loser 4&5     }                              

                           }             }                

             loser 1&8     }             }                

                                         }(fifth)         

             loser 3&6     }             }(loser is       
                                         sixth)           

                           }             }                

             loser 2&7     }                              



                            loser 5&8    }                

                                         }(seventh)       

                            loser 6&7    }(loser is       
                                         eighth)          



Appendix 2: Round Robbins: Creation and Scoring.

A2.1. Creation.

Four teams in a division.

 Week 1   Week 2    Week 3  

  1v2       1v3      1v4    

  4v3       2v3      3v2    


Six teams in a division.

Week 1   Week 2  Week 3   Week 4  Week 5  

  1v2     1v3      1v4     1v5      1v6   

  6v3     2v4      3v5     4v6      5v2   

  5v4     6v5      2v6     3v2      4v3   


Eight teams in a division.

 Week 1   Week 2   Week 3    Week 4   Week 5    Week 6   Week 7  

  1v2      1v3       1v4      1v5       1v6      1v7      1v8    

  8v3      2v4       3v5      4v6       5v7      6v8      7v2    

  7v4      8v5       2v6      3v7       4v8      5v2      6v3    

  6v5      7v6       8v7      2v8       3v2      4v3      5v4    


For an odd number of teams in a division, use the table for the next size up, and call the extra team a bye. So for a division of five teams, use the table for six teams. Any team playing team 6 actually gets a bye.

A2.2. Scoring.

Use a table like:

              Team 1      Team 2      Team 3      Team 4     Total       Goal Avg   

Team 1        XXXXXX       7 | 3        |           |          7 | 3     7/4=1.75   

Team 2         4 | 1      XXXXXX        |           |          4 | 1     4/7=0.57   

Team 3          |           |         XXXXXX        |          |                    

Team 4          |           |           |         XXXXXX       |                    

                 4         7                                                        


The left-hand number in each box is the goals scored by the team for that row. So the entry shown is a win by Team 1 of 7 goals over Team 2, who had 4 goals.

The right-hand number in each box is the number of points awarded for the game. Normally we use win=3, draw=2, loss=1, default=0.

Put the horizontal sum in the Total column. Put the vertical total of the GOALS into the bottom row.

At the end of the round, the teams are ranked in order of POINTS. If two teams have the same number of points, the draw is resolved by GOAL AVERAGE: total goals for (in the Total column) divided by total goals against (in the bottom row. If the goal average is identical, check to see who won the game the two teams played. If it was a draw, use your imagination.


Created by John Stoke. Last updated 2 February 1997.