Article/Quad Rugby - Coaches Corner #0007 4/99

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By Terry Vinyard - Issue #007
April 1999

Which tournaments should your team go to throughout the season? If funds are not a problem then try to go to as many as possible. Very few teams have unlimited funding, so being selective is imperative. If your team can only travel two or three times a season then it is essential to select tournaments that will best help your teams development. Some teams have opted to go to lower level tournaments in hopes of preserving their record. This looks good on paper but doesn't test or challenge diem. I've heard these people talk about going to tournaments they can win. This mentality can stunt the growth of a rising team.

Take a look at the at Shadow, Lakeshore, Tampa, and Houston, they often show up at the same tournaments during the year despite their geographical locations. By battling each other during the regular season they push each other to new highs. If you are a top twenty team you should try to compete at tournaments which have some teams from the top ten attending. This will enable your players to compete against a higher level as well as observing the higher level teams play each other. If your not a top twenty team, you should try to go up against some teams from the top twenty. By doing this your players will be able to see their shortcomings better. They can also pick up on some of the subtle strategies.

When selecting tournaments there are some key things to look for. The main thing is how many games will you be guaranteed. Never fly for less than five games. The more games the better the value. This may prohibit a team that has little depth. If the tournament has been around for a while you might want to talk to some people who have went to it in the past. Another key is to check the flight prices, this often determines whether a team can or cannot attend. If you travel with ten or more you may be eligible for a group fare. Most airlines have a group desk. Some will let you bid on a fare. Some also have a sports desk that offer discounted fares. When negotiating these fares, I don't recommend telling the airlines your a wheelchair sports team. They are less likely to accommodate you when there is more work for them. Some airlines will try to charge you for your sport chair. By law they can do this. We avoided this by checking our luggage through the Sky Caps.

Hotel cost can range from $40 a night to over $100. Many teams have saved substantially by utilizing roll a way beds and doubling up. If the tournament is in your state the hotel will be able to honor your tax exempt status.

Tournament registration fees can also vary. For a team of ten members going to the "Best of the West" a fee of $50 each means that your team would pay $500 in registration fees. That same team of ten going to the "Conveen International" would pay $300. There are tournaments that charge even less but might not provide as much, such as meals, give aways and quality officiating. When deciding between two tournaments, it usually comes down to costs. If they are about the same then you may want to look at what you get. A) Level of play B) Officiating, tables and do they have a classification panel C) Logistics - short pushes to the facility are ideal D) Start and finish times are important for those teams who may want to fly in on a competition day or leave upon conclusion.

Note: If there is a topic that you would like to see discussed here or should have questions regarding Coaches Corner you can write Terry Vinyard at qrtoday@tampabay.rr.com

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