Divisional Championships - general question period

[Anonymous]

I was just curious as to people's thoughts on the potential for setting up Divisional Championships. These Divisionals would be set up in the Conference style not dissimilar to that of the now defunct NHL. There would be a Western Conference, and an Eastern Conference and the winners from those Conferences would compete for the Championship- best of 7 all the way!
Just a thought.
Let me know what you all think.
Best regards,
Empire
 proc

[Brad Fox]

You generally see that style of championship unfold in team leagues where travel or the length of a season make effective "round robin" play unsuitable - rarely (I can't think of an example at the moment) in a singles event.

I certainly have no problem with more regional / national championships (I also don't have a problem with higher seeding at the World's going to said regional and National champs) but such "preliminary" rounds somewhat detract from the high stakes "winner takes all" attitude that seems to be so en vogue these days (see televised Poker).

Conference play would also (I assume) reduce the needed size for the ultimate championships and having the entire RPS universe converge for one night is always one of the highlights of the event (perhaps more so than the tournament itself).

[Anonymous]

Once again Mr Fox, I do agree with you on the importance of keeping the high level of intensity going for the world championships. It is nice to see a fellow Albertan so involved with the sport. I do however, feel that Canadian RPS would benefit greatly from an "RPS Night In Canada" program- complete with song and all. Perhaps now that the NHL is defunct, Don Cherry might switch over to a sport worth watching.
Just a thought.
Best regards,
Empire

 proc

[Brad Fox]

Such a program would be a welcome respite from the hockey-less void in which we now find ourselves. Many society officials have trouble watching RPS recreationally so they often turn to other professional sports. The tone in the officiary advisory committee break room has gotten so tense as a result of the fall NHL lockout that discussing Arbiter and Ruxpin's lunchtime croquet technique has become one of the few topics of conversation that doesn't invariably end in a heated shouting match.

Dispite my concerns about an official conference system, I think a Western Canadian regional tournament would be great because as your "Western Rock" cohorts demonstrated at the Worlds, there is still much untapped RPS potential in the region... and (as you point out) many Westerners (both residing and ex-pat) have gravitated to the society.

[Anonymous]

Once again you bring up very good points there Mr Fox.
Indeed I am keen on getting the Western Canadian Championships up and running. Although times are busy right now, so they may have to wait until spring/summer of 2005. At any rate, it would be a great sight to see, and as you said, Western Canada is an untapped mecca of RPS potential.
Best regards,
Empire