Eurobowl Captains Meeting Minutes 2014
Agenda Item: Future Hosting Rights
Chaired by Beppe, minutes taken by Sann0638.
All attending Eurobowl countries were represented by their captain, and Beppe went through all countries to check. There were others in the room and any comments by them are noted below.
Beppe checked all countries that had not hosted; and checked if there are any who don’t want to host the next one.
Finland do not want to host due to being a small community and not being able to organise alcohol easily in the venue. Norway also not want to host, nor Switzerland. That leaves Scotland, Wales, Hungary, Sweden, Portugal.
This year the rules will stay the same in terms of hosting in 2016.
3 questions:
- Does it change
- When does it change
- What does it change to?
Also, if it does not change what does that mean?
Also, who should be making these decisions? Should the NAF supervise Eurobowl? Beppe not sure that the NAF should be involved.
Italy suggested that the second team this year should host in 2017.
Joemanji highlighted the issue of delivering a huge BB tournament – where people sleep etc.
Various highlighted that Eurobowl has developed organically, and is probably outgrowing that. The captains meeting is possibly not the best forum for making decisions, due to language difficulties and a lack of time.
Scotland likes that Eurobowl is not NAF-organised but recognise that it is getting large. Could the captains forum be extended?
There are two separate questions: choosing future hosts and helping people host. Countries should be trusted to ask for help if they need it, and Dries is writing an organisers guide.
Scotland pointed out that 18 months makes it easier to organise than effectively 6 months.
Denmark said their organising committee was a bit random, with Tripleskull ending up with fairly late on.
When hosting Belgium looked at positives and negatives of each eurobowl. They thought price not important, but on the other hand Spain had some people who could not come because of cost. Wales pointed out that its a factor but this is the most expensive but also biggest Eurobowl ever. At this point England asked if any nations needed to speak who had not been heard.
Italy coaches anticipate Eurobowl and save for it, which has a knock-on effect on Italian tournaments. Belgium reiterated that cost is not the most important factor. The Chair and others pointed out the conversation was drifting from the original agenda.
Joe said again that 2 years gives people the chance to try but fail to organise it. 1 year does not.
Germany asked whether this meeting should make a decision, and preferably not take too long about it.
Beppe thinks Euro captains should make the decision.
Denmark pointed out that Euro captains are the authority at the moment. Norway said if not broke don’t fix it in terms of decision making.
1st vote – unanimous that captains forum should be decision makers about Eurobowl.
Germany says another body is not required.
Dries is writing a “how to organise” document for the NAF site.
Scotland said they would speak to other community members before making big decisions. Presumably others would do the same.
Almost all countries voted that a formal structure was not required. England would like more structure. For example, the rule that you need 6 national coaches to host next time. This is not written down. A subcommittee should write the rules down, and England offered to do this in the first instance, which was unanimously accepted.
Denmark said if someone is capable of hosting wanted to host that is reasonable. Last Euro the Wales v Belgium game had a lot riding on it, which was fun.
Could countries who have previously hosted be introduced gradually back in?
Germany said simple is best. Sweden agree.
Denmark said two choices: status quo or smooth transition.
Italy suggested including countries who have hosted before handicapped on previous performance.
2nd vote: should the status quo remain? 13 for, 2 against. This is even though there may be no competition in future.
3rd vote: To host you have to have been to two of last three Eurobowls: unanimous.
4th vote: That 2nd place this year hosts in 2017: 10 for, 2 against, 3 abstain.
Belgium stood up for Serbia saying that a decision is being made that affects them without them there.
Norway still do not want to host in 2017, or Switzerland. Finland were not sure.
Captains felt that we get down to 1 nation, there is no suspense but that is ok, as it will only happen once.
Norway pointed out that with a 2 year cycle people should feedback at the next Eurobowl about progress, and in theory the Eurobowl could be reallocated at this point. France and Belgium pointed out that it would be difficult for the captains meeting to take it away, but it was unanimously agreed that they have the right to do so if it is obvious that no organising has been done.
There was agreement that there should be a Captains meeting at the World cup.
Executive Summary
The highest ranked team that has not hosted before will host for the next Eurobowl. In addition the second highest ranked team will host in 2017. For the foreseeable future the highest ranked team at each Eurobowl will host for the Eurobowl after next.
Purplegoo will write up the unwritten rules of Eurobowl, and these will be agreed online. This will include having to have been to 2 of the last 3 Eurobowls.
There will be a Captains meeting at the World Cup with a representative from each Nation.