Winter A-League organiser Aaron Pinkus!
The 2007 Summer A-League was Hobart's third and last official A-League, following on from the successful 2006 Autumn and Winter A-Leagues, again with the same three teams competing, based on geographic regions: South; Central and North. Games between two of these teams in the Winter A-League were held once a week on Sunday afternoons at the Uni Oval, with one team having a bye each round. This league officially started on Sunday January 13 with games from 4:00-5:30pm, with the intention of playing 9 rounds and with the grand final initially scheduled for Sunday April 22. Following the success of the two tasmanian teams competing in the Southern Australian Ultimate Championships on March 11, the season was officially cut short after 6 rounds to enable training for the two Tasmanian teams which qualified to play the Australian Ultimate Championships, in the open and women's divisions, to take over this time slot. The current league leaders were declared the winners of this league.
The league co-ordinator for the Summer A-League was Aaron Pinkus.
Winter A-League organiser Aaron Pinkus!
Ultimate is a sport in which experienced players are expected to make allowances for beginners and less proficient players. Also, like all other field sports, the main challenge and interest (once the basic skills have been acquired) is in using team tactics and discipline to play more effectively. In Hobart, until the Tasmanian Ultimate Championships (TUC) emerged in 2002, (followed by the A-League early in 2006), we did not have the luxury of different grades of ultimate competition, so those who have experienced highly competitive and tactical play interstate and overseas were obliged to play in our relatively disorganised games, and did so with restraint and patience. Playing for Tasmanian teams, such as the Tassie Tiggers, or at TUC was the only occasion when the more experienced players could play hard, and keep alive their skills and interest. A-League has now taken over this role, where experienced players can play hard and intermediate players can learn about a more competitive side of the sport.
If you are an intermediate level player, you are welcome to come along and play - we welcome new players. However, don't expect your opponents to play easy on you or to give you space. Likewise, your team mates will be expecting you to run hard and play hard. These games are intended to be as competitive as possible. If you prefer a slightly less competitive environment, then the Hobart Social League may provide a better environment for you to play.
Registration fees were as follows:
The rules for the Hobart Outdoor Ultimate Leagues are based on the 2001 WFDF rules. The League organiser takes the position of the TD under these rules. There are a few exceptions to these rules. Check the latest local rules here.
The initial Summer A-League minor round schedule consisted of 9 rounds. However, due to the season being cut short only the first 6 rounds were played:
| Round | Date | Game | Bye |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 13 | Northern Bogans vs Hobart Hurricane | The Southern Confederates |
| 2 | Jan 21 | Hobart Hurricane vs The Southern Confederates | Northern Bogans |
| 2a | Jan 28 | No game - Australia Day holiday | |
| 3 | Feb 4 | The Southern Confederates vs Northern Bogans | Hobart Hurricane |
| 3a | Feb 11 | No game - Regatta Day holiday | |
| 4 | Feb 18 | Hobart Hurricane vs Northern Bogans | The Southern Confederates |
| 5 | Feb 25 | The Southern Confederates vs Hobart Hurricane | Northern Bogans |
| 6 | Mar 4 | Northern Bogans vs The Southern Confederates | Hobart Hurricane |
| 6a | Mar 11 | No game - 8 hour Day holiday + Southern Regional Championships | |
| 7 | Mar 18 | Northern Bogans vs Hobart Hurricane | The Southern Confederates |
| 8 | Mar 25 | Hobart Hurricane vs The Southern Confederates | Northern Bogans |
| 9 | Apr 1 | The Southern Confederates vs Northern Bogans | Hobart Hurricane |
| 9a | Apr 8 | No game - Easter Sunday |
The finals were intended to consist of an initial qualifying final, followed by a grand final as listed below. The final dates depended on the results of the Southern Australian Ultimate Championships. As both Tasmanian teams qualified for the Australian Ultimate Championships, the season was cut short - and no finals were held.
| Round | Date | Game |
|---|---|---|
| Qualifying final | Apr 15 (?) | 2nd vs 3rd |
| Grand final | Apr 22 (?) | 1st vs winner of qualifying final |
Summer A-League teams are as follows:
| Team Name | Northern Bogans | Hobart Hurricane | Southern Confederates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shirt colour | navy singlet | yellow | green |
| Captain | Aaron Pinkus | Joe Boyer | Shavawn Donoghue |
| Women | Heidi Pass Kerryn Herman Rochelle Hoare |
Kathleen Downey Yvonne Otahal |
Ash Martens Kate Godber Lucy Line Shavawn Donoghue |
| Men | Aaron Pinkus Ashley Button Ben Hoare Kunal Verma Matt Petrie Michael Dunne Patrick Dunne |
Che O'May David Cooke Iestyn Parry Jeff Dunn Joe Boyer Mark Verrall Mike Schmidt Phillippe St Pierre Stewart Wilde |
Aaron Just Basil van Riet Daniel Wilkins John Kristensen Matthew Smith Mike Baker Warwick Reed |
Full results (6 minor round games only) for the Summer A-League follow.
| Team | Played | Wins | Losses | Ties | Forfeits | Points | Goal Diff. | Spirit Average | Tie Break | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hobart Hurricane | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 16 | 7.3 | 0.000 |
| 2 | Southern Confederates | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -4 | 5.5 | 0.000 |
| 3 | Northern Bogans | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | -12 | 6.0 | 0.000 |
Hobart Hurricane | Northern Bogans | Southern Confederates
| Round 1 | Hobart Hurricane won game by forfeit over Northern Bogans | |||
| Round 2 | Hobart Hurricane | 5 | Southern Confederates | 5 |
| Round 4 | Hobart Hurricane | 7 | Northern Bogans | 1 |
| Round 5 | Hobart Hurricane won game by forfeit over Southern Confederates | |||
| Round 1 | Northern Bogans forfeit game to Hobart Hurricane | |||
| Round 3 | Northern Bogans | 9 | Southern Confederates | 15 |
| Round 4 | Northern Bogans | 1 | Hobart Hurricane | 7 |
| Round 6 | Northern Bogans | 11 | Southern Confederates | 6 |
| Round 2 | Southern Confederates | 5 | Hobart Hurricane | 5 |
| Round 3 | Southern Confederates | 15 | Northern Bogans | 9 |
| Round 5 | Southern Confederates forfeit game to Hobart Hurricane | |||
| Round 6 | Southern Confederates | 6 | Northern Bogans | 11 |
Thanks to Aaron for his work as Summer A-League organiser.
The third installment of the A-League witnessed some great ultimate. Unfortunately through dwindling player numbers and requirements for National practice, A-League was cut short in order to help prepare both Tiggers and Bush in the up and coming National Tournament. Despite this, everyone who played in either the A-League or practice matches that followed enjoyed themselves immensely. Although there were no awards for individuals because of a lack of a final, a special mention does need to go to the Hobart Hurricane. Throughout the three seasons this team improved each time. Starting out they finished bottom of the ladder in the first season as they were by far the most inexperienced team in the competition. However, after making the final in the second season, by the third they were top of the ladder and almost untouchable. A lot of thanks for the effort of the Hurricane players and their enthusiasm and commitment should be acknowledged. This also showed greatly in not only the team's improvement, but with each individual player. Thanks Guys for a great league, and I hope that everyone keeps on developing and improving.
Aaron
| Premiers | Runners-up | 3rd place | Spirit Winners | Style in final | Best recruiter | Most improved female | Most improved male | Guts in final | Gratuitous in final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hobart Hurricane | Southern Confederates | Northern Bogans | Hobart Hurricane |