Asia & Oceania Championships
August 2003
Japan

I have not yet received any further details about this tournament since the
initial email asking about interest. I have responded to the Japanese
organisers to say that NZ could field one co-ed team and (very) possibly an
open team.

Once again Hayden made some recommendations in his last email
"* agree that we will encourage clubs to send mens and womens teams to
aussie nats in accordance with the club selection process in the policy
(which might need some wording changes).
* agree that we will select an international rep team for asia/oceania in
accordance with the individual selection process in the policy.
* announce both events to the ultimate community, and
* invite the international coordinator to ask clubs about the level of
interest in both aussie nats and japan from club players."

I think the Japanese tournament would be a good opportunity to use the
selection policy, however we may be in a situation where the numbers
interested in the tournament dictate who goes. My initial email got replies
from 6 males and 5 females who indicated they wanted to attend. Hayden also
did some scouting which suggested there was enough interest to fill a co-ed
team - with more people wanting to go then spots likely to be available.

It is important to let people know ASAP if their selection for Japan will be
determined by their play on their tour (and/or other associated criteria).
According to our selection policy the selectors should be appointed who
would then ask for interest and select a team based on those responses, I
wonder whether it is worthwhile appointing selectors if we don't know
definitely that there will be any need to select a team.

The other thing is that this is a clubs event, so we can send multiple co-ed
teams so if, a couple of clubs wanted to send teams then I think that would
be great, so do we want to restrict that by having an individual selection
policy?

Can I have thoughts on this by 13th January, in particular I would like to
know from clubs, especially Spy & Kia Maatara, if there is any interest from
them in sending club teams.

Cheers
Rachel