Team Restructure (IMPORTANT)

To All Players,

It has come to my attention that there are some concerning issues about the team. I believe that everyone knows what happen so I need not to express more.

Instead of wasting time, I will require all players to return jerseys (both top and bottom) to me before Monday, 5th November 2007. It would be ideal if the players are able to return the jerseys on tomorrow match against Pirates. Kindly bring an extra shorts unless you want to be half-naked after the match.

After our match with Pirates, I would instill new team policies (I have yet to inform the captains and coaches) which I feel is reasonably fair, put less pressure on everyone and should be acceptable to most.

- NEW 8+4 PLAYERS TEAM
- LOTTERY SYSTEM
- NO TRAINING FOR NOVEMBER
- NO MORE CAPTAINS AND COACHES.
- NO PERFORMANCE SCOREBOARD
- $5/$6 PER MATCH (NO FEES FOR JERSEY)

Please take note that as a team manager, I will be personally responsible for whatever happens in the last few weeks, hence I will bear all of the fees for the previous matches.

NEW 8+4 PLAYERS
Instead of placing 16 players, which means that there's always unhappiness when choosing 12 players per match, I will only stick to 8+4 players. So what's 8+4 ?

That means we would have 8 regular players. 8 regular players would be players that are able to commit to each and every match without fail, and is able to play competitively in such open competitions. Those who is unable to commit; not sure whether can commit or whatever stupid reason, would not be in the first 8. For these first 8, you can be excused from 1 match per month. Any more and you will be out of first 8.

For the regular players, I would discuss with Jason, Yen, Guo Hui and Ah Hao.

For the last 4 players, it would be rotational. What it means that these 4 players would be given to whomever wish to play. No new jerseys will be issued as there would have 7 jerseys (less Jia Jun's) to choose from. Rotational players would have to return the jersey to the Team Captain/Coach/Manager, washed and dried by Tuesday. However, the rotational has to be a player that is within our group of friends. Strictly no outsiders.

So how do we choose which rotational players to play for the match? Easy. We don't. Any players who wish to play (and qualified under BBAXN policies) are welcome to submit their names to any of the 8 main players or myself. On Friday 10 pm, we will conduct a simple lottery at New Court.

In the event that any of the 8 regular players are not playing, we will not fill the the space with more lottery picks. Hence for the 8 regulars, don't think about giving your position away to allow others to play.

Those that doesn't comply to these... don't bother. I don't accept any prima donna who can't commit and demand a place. Also, if you happen to dislike someone who is in first 8 or to be within the lottery (whether selected or not), then please don't join. Frankly, I have enough of these headaches.

As for style of playing, it's up to the first 8. Any rotational players must fit into their style.

LOTTERY SYSTEM
For the 4 positions, we will invite players who wish to play, to participate in our lottery system. We will pick lots on Friday, 10.00 PM. Those picked will get to play for the upcoming match.

The pick will start by myself or the assistant manager (by coin; for explanation of assistant manager, pls refer below). The person who gets picked, will pick the next. The sequence continue until 4th player is picked. This would be the most fair & random way.

As I understand that some players might not be free to be present, he can select someone (proxy) to represent him to do the pick.

Initially for our first lottery, players who had been regularly attend previous training and wish to play for the upcoming match, would get TWO (2) slips for every 10 possible picks (example: if 18 players entered lottery, the player would get 4 slips.)

From the second lottery onwards, players who had played for the previous match and wish to play for the upcoming match, would get TWO (2) slips for every 10 possible picks.

Logically, if we pick slips of the same person, we will pick again.

NO TRAININGS FOR NOVEMBER
I have heard quite a few negative comments on the training and while it might be unfair for those who had religiously come down for training, I decided to stop training for the month of November. It's a simple theory - Those that comes for training but aren't selected for match, would feel upset. Seriously, this poses a dilemma to any team managers for any sports. It's a sensitive balance between "winning a game" and being "fair". Think of it this way.

- Those who train, if cannot win, lose morale.
- Those that didn't train, if cannot win, lose morale.
- Those that train, if can win, boost morale.
- That that didn't train, if can win, might boost morale.

So which one is us right now?

Also for those that have been hardworking and trained all these while, ask yourself - "Can I win? If cannot win, can I accept the defeat and work harder?" This has been a challenging and unfair question but the answer can only been shown on the trainings after the matches.

For those that thinks that our training system sucks, I can't disagree nor agree. Let's say if we have been challenging weaker team and we win, does it means that our training is good? If we challenging very strong team and we lose, does it means that our training is bad? It's really hard to say. And even if we commit 101% during training, do we have the guts to play with our whole heart during the match? Whole hearts mean that FIGHT TO WIN.

Since it's such a problem, I DECIDE TO CALL OFF TRAINING FOR THE WHOLE OF NOVEMBER (or until the team is ready to be as a team).

NO CAPTAINS AND COACHES
It's pressuring to be captains and coaches, and I seen heated arguments for smallest of reasons. Since I remove these roles, I would invite anyone who can volunteer to be the Assistant Manager who has the passion to 1) coordinate with players before the match, 2) oversee the match including substitution of players and 3) update BBAXN website. This is an extremely tedious and unforgiving role, and NO PLAYTIME hence be god-damn 101% sure before you commit onto this.

NO PERFORMANCE SCOREBOARD
No more. It's a benefit for players to understand how they perform. I guess that I wouldn't waste time anymore on this, especially Cheng Khai who took effort.

$5/$6 PER MATCH
All that play need to pay $5 or $6 per match. Those in first 8, the fees would be $5 per match, but need to pay me for the next 12 matches (that's $60) before November ends. Those who is listed in the rotational, would pay me $6 on the spot on Saturday (if you suddenly cannot come no matter what reasons, you will not be able to participate in future lottery anymore). Remember, each match costs $100 hence I'm still sponsoring $36 per match so don't complain. Also all jerseys will have to be returned to me after the seasons end (except Jia Jun).

For those cannot afford $6, get someone to sponsor you. I'm not sponsoring.

Those that selected for rotational but didn't get the chance to play, NO REFUNDS. Tips: To be selected to play, BE EAGER. Take all opportunities to warm up and show that you are fuckin' eager to contribute to the team. While we will try to put everyone in, but if you think your money is very big, the $6 will be refunded on your face. Hard.

SUMMARY
I hope that this arrangement would help to settle most issues. While it may not be what some of you wants, seriously... no solution can please everyone. I believe that everyone has come down to New Court to play during weekdays, hence I want the first 8 to play together frequently (preferably within same team).

PS: I'm seriously busy with things - 1) running RentCars company, 2) running my virtual office company, 3) having time with my wife, 4) having time with my kid, 5) having time with my two sets of parents [mine & wife's] and much more. Also, I usually work till 4-5 am in morning and wake up at 9+ am to go work.

ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE MSG ON THE CHATBOX WITHIN THE NEXT 3 DAYS (ENDS BY MONDAY) AND I WILL ADDRESS PERSONALLY. BUT REMEMBER - I'm dead tired and don't blame me if my comments aren't fake enough to please you.