Folks, let’s use this thread to discuss changes we’d like to see in future Junior Olympics. Here are some of mine:
Here is one… ensure the atmosphere is memorable (doesnt have to be exactly like Quiksilver, just more cool atmosphere feel). Might seem like a gimmick to adults but these kids love and remember the little things.
Polonewb. This is why I love JO’s being at Avery (Stanford) and Woollett. I have always enjoyed a memorable atmosphere at these pools without any gimmicks. Just people being there and multiple games being played is enough to make it special in my opinion.
Why no double rostering? Some kids deserve the experience of being a top athlete in the age group and the added experience of being a role player an age group up. It makes them better.
Now this, obviously, should not take away a roster spot from a guy/girl that’s worked hard to be there with their team, but that’s on a club-by-club basis.
Fair argument. This year Session 2 will NOT be special then by your measure, except for a few elite teams playing for the top 4 spots in Championship divisions.
Whereas on the last day Quiksilver does introductions and has an announcer for the lower division teams.
It’s not the same when Woollett, the SoCal hub, is only being used the last day. But I believe that’s simply because of renovations? Generally, multiple different teams and age groups get to play or support club members who play at Woollett or the NorCal hub, Stanford, when it’s up North.
Players from the younger age groups and lower divisions tend to gravitate towards those locations, especially for the semi’s and finals matches. I’d still expect a good crowd and fun atmosphere for the last day of Session 2 at Woollett.
Chapman is a cool venue with the potential to make that a fun experience for the players. LBCC as well, though a bit further out from the HUB. Those are such nice places you could create three special atmospheres.
I would like to see “hubs” for age groups or at least divisions.
12UG will be playing at these possible sites the first 2-3 days. Final day you could be at Woollett/Stanford.
While I do think it’s great that they give most teams the chance to play at those places, it would be nice to not have to drive an hour to a pool that’s far away from where you booked your hotel for the majority of the days.
if we know the pools ahead of time, why can’t we create “centers” for age groups. And on that note, why can’t we also try and maximize venues? I see Fullerton HS is being used. I think it has 2 lanes for warm-ups and a tiny deck. Why not use that for a 12U or 10U location instead of 16s?
Not trying to knock locations, as we know pools are a pain to secure, but couldn’t USA Water Polo do a better job at making sure the facilities are being used to their maximum potential?
Is it permanently it woollit? Are they moving it back to Avery next year?
Not going back to Avery. This year was supposed to be a Northern California / Avery JO year but Stanford raised the facility rental fee to an amount that was financially unworkable. I didn’t personally see the numbers but was told Stanford tripled the amount they were charging. Maybe things will change in the future, but for now JOs is based in Orange County every year.
Would be nice to have full stats either published or on 6-8, at least for platinum divisions.
Jeff, agree 100% on #1, and if you saw that thru, there might be no need for #2.
Agree in reducing number in Championship, and Classic. The challenge will be how to make that transition. People would raise heck about how unfair that is, like they do with 48 teams today. But I do agree. I think Championship being 32 and Classic being 32 keeps both of them appropriately competitive. 64 teams in two divisions versus the current 96 seems way better. You can still have a D3/D4.
Session 1 / 2 are boys / girls top 24 only.
Session 3 is then everyone else for a ‘fun usawp experience’.
Move it a week earlier so high school kids and coaches can actually take a vacation.
Revamp the seeding system, although it would almost have to be computerized given the politicking, bargaining, and jockeying that would occur in any possible seeding meeting.
I think something needs to be done to figure out how to better qualify those top 24 teams competing for National Championship.
Shaded stands at all pools!
Edit: Nothing worse than all the adhoc umbrellas and pop–up tents killing the site lines from the bleachers.
I would love to see the SoCal JOs based at USC’s Uytengsu Aquatics Center. Standford’s Avery base made the games feel more special.
All 10/12/14u boys/girls one weekend. All 16/18u boys/girls the following weekend. One year just try it. (I know there’s reasons to not try it.) But I think it would be really exciting to alternate championship games on day 4 between boys/girls.