It may have been a little damp - but that helps keep the grass very green at the Two-Hat VII
Here is the official TD's report from Two-Hat VII. Those of you who were there know some of of what happened. For those of you who didn't turn up this year, read on, check out the photos and think about coming to Two-Hat VIII in October 2006. If you can't wait that long, try the Melbourne Hat in December or Diskapital in Canberra in January!
It may have been a little damp - but that helps keep the grass very green at the Two-Hat VII
Two-Hat VII saw a brisk start to registration, with a couple of interstate registration queries in June! As a with Two-Hat VI, the major question was "Would there be 4 teams or 5?" Two-Hat VII featuring 47 players, comprising 3 teams of 9 players, and two teams of 10. That total included 5 players from NSW and 5 from Victoria and 1 from Canberra, with interstate players once again providing great support for the Two-Hat! There were an additional 3 withdrawn interstate registrations, Wally had to cancel due to a wedding, and we won't mention Cath Bowker's missed plane will we!
The action was fast at Two-Hat VII...
...with plenty of colour
The stadium was wide
... and the scoreboard and the stands high
Blending youth and experience
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...with a little magic
... and a rainbow at the end of the day!
In a positive vein, Saturday October 8th was a very still day - with very little wind. I could stretch the truth and say that it was fine and sunny, but it wasn't. After a run of 5 Two-Hats with no rain at all, the conditions at Two-Hat VII were very similar to those experienced in Two-Hat I with persistent drizzle throughout much of the day and a maximum temperature of around 13C. Still the conditions meant that sunstroke wasn't a problem, and most people kept warm enough on the day. The new (for the Two-Hat) playing fields at North Hobart Oval were magnificent, with excellent grass cover and perfect conditions for laying out. Unlike previous Two-Hats, Frisbee Central was located undercover in a grandstand adjacent to the fields, so there was great protection from the rain. As is now traditional, the teams were actually drawn out of a "pseudo-hat" again, with a couple of last minute dramas (I did say I wouldn't mention Cath Bowker missing the plane from Melbourne, didn't I), including Frank turning up with the flu and lasting only a couple of games. Despite these minor issues, the teams appeared as if by magic on the morning of the tournament.
Please put me on a good team Two-Hat Gods!
As with the last two Two-Hat tournament, the Two-Hat gods conspired to produce yet another unbeaten team, in both the minor rounds and the finals. This resulted in the previous record (Jemery's unbroken run of 11 Two-Hat victories, which came to an end in the first game) being surpassed, with Dave Cooke, Pat Dunne and Tim Johnson now having an unbroken run of 12 wins at the Two-Hat! How far can this record go?
Come on! Aaron will never catch me...
Two-Hat semi-finalists.
Full results and table of the Round Robin are available. Blugoogachoo were the second team to miss out on a semi final place in Two-Hat history - but at least they stayed dry in the grandstand during the finals! The first semi-final, featuring Clockwork and Keen as Mustard was a one sided affair, with Clockwork dominating 11-2, in similar style to their minor round demolition of the Mustard. The second semi-final between the teams ranked 2nd and 3rd saw a reversal of the minor round result with the Arses of Fire, (who were renamed the Red Flames when the final results were reported on Southern Cross TV News that night) beating the Horrie Gorringe Allstars, 8-7 with a sudden death last point which could have gone to either team.
Two-Hat finalists.
This led to a final between Clockwork and the Arses of Fire. The very tight semi-final seemed to take it out of the Arses, and Clockwork continued their unbroken run, taking out the final 9-2 - with a certain amount of entertainment provided by Mike Baker and Pat Dunne contesting the disc with great intensity.
Clockwork showing why they were unbeaten at Two-Hat VII.
Runners up Arses of Fire; Horrie Gorringe Allstars (3rd); Keen as Mustard (4th); and Blugoogachoo (5th).
The party usually starts early in Hobart - the action started at the Derwent City Bowls Club at around 7:00pm, with the ABC TV news Two-Hat coverage featuring on the big screen and JK and Asher's Two-Hat VII photographs projected onto a big screen. Felix and Tim J's quiz kicked off at around 7:45, just after the pizza was wolfed down. The Derwent Bowls club gave a great little spiel, inviting us to join them for their midweek Barefoot Bowls evenings. The stayers moved on to the Trout a little later in the evening for some live music! Thanks to Felix and Tim for running the party and the University of Tasmania Ultimate Frisbee Club for their contribution (providing the pizza as usual).
Play of the Day winners Pat Dunne and Mike Baker in action on the field.
Play of the Day award ceremony!
Play of the Day was awarded jointly to Pat Dunne and Mike Baker for a series of fiercely contested discs in the final.
Catch this if you can Mike!
An honourable mention goes to Kate Godber for a spectacular bobbled goal in the first game. Kate had the first go at catching the disc, bobbling the disc and falling to the ground. One of her team mates then came to the rescue with a second attempt at catching it, but dropping it again and bobbling the disc towards Kate who caught the scraps while lying flat on her back.
Kate Godber in action - out of the way Aaron!
The all important Spirit Prize went to Clockwork completing the first spirit and overall victory double in Two-Hat history. Clockwork's Ian Townsend was a clear winner of the party, seen late in the evening carrying half a jug of beer at the Trout with only 3 other ultimate players (who had empty glasses) for company - apparently Ian lasted well into the early hours (until 4am at least - or was it 6am?). Carlie Ryan won the box of smarties for being the first fully paid and registered player, with Stew Wilde a close runner up in this category.
Clockwork pull, watch and wait - and take out the spirit prize as well!
Joe Boyer was the only new entry in the Ten Hat Hall of Fame this year having each collected Two-Hats on 5 different occasions. Cath Bowker was set to enter this exclusive club, if only she had caught her plane! Dave Cooke, Jemery Day and Shavawn Donoghue each collected their 13th and 14th hats.
Joe Boyer pivots on both backhand and forehand sides, then throws a hammer on his way to 10 Hats!
The third Philip Redneck Ruddock Throw Them Overboard Disc Golf Classic was played over 18 holes on the combined courses of St David's Park and Princes Park on Friday evening. 22 players participated, including competitors in the people wearing skirts and people not wearing skirts divisions. Both competitions were keenly contested, with Jens Meyer eventually winning the people not wearing skirts division with an overall 18 hole score of 4 under, (including an eagle and 4 birdies), Ken Suber finishing second on one under par (total of 4 birdies) and Stew Wilde third on 2 over par (4 birdies). In the people wearing skirts division, the contest was between Shavawn Donoghue and Jemery Day. Jemery took out the title with a round of 2 under par (1 eagle and 5 birdies), compared to Shavawn's 5 over par (3 birdies). Cathy Bowker was so nervous about entering this division, that she missed her plane in Melbourne (for a second year in a row), and in fact missed the whole tournament this year - but we weren't going to mention that were we! Come back next year Cathy!
Jens' golf prize!
Media coverage was ramped up for Two-Hat VII with a Friday lunchtime media event, featuring the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Rob Valentine, resulting in pre-tournament TV news coverage on both WIN and Southern Cross on the Friday before the tourney and a Page 7 article and colour photo in the Hobart Mercury. There was also a short segment on local TV station Southern Cross News on Saturday evening and an extended report (89 seconds) on ABC TV news on Saturday night. In addition the Two-Hat featured on ABC radio news reports on Saturday (mentioning that all other sports in Hobart had been cancelled that day except for the Two-Hat) and on Sunday morning, (focusing on the fact that only lightning stops play for Ultimate Frisbee).
ABC TV news collects material.
The Two-Hat VII t-shirt design.
Thanks are due to a number of members of the Hobart ultimate community but in particular:
Media and other support from Tim Phillips - and the Two-Hat VII t-shirt design team.
In addition, the following people contributed significantly:
Logistical support provided by Naomi and Asher, photos by Asher, JK and Matt.
Sam Waugh not only houses most of the Victorian contingent, he also lets short people catch the disc!.
Several people have suggested that the cost of the Two-Hat is somewhat high and they are interested to know where the money goes. The TUA is an incorporated, not-for-profit organisation and has to be independently audited each year. According to the 2003 audited statement, Two-Hat V made a total profit of $98 and the 2004 audited statement, Two-Hat VI made a loss of $165. What these statement do not show is a "hidden" subsidy/gift of over $150, (covering the costs of game discs and pizza at the party) from the Tas Uni Ultimate Frisbee Club in 2003 and 2004. Without this subsidy, the event would have run at an even greater loss! Fortunately the TUA is a not-for-profit organisation - although we don't usually aim to make a loss on events held!
In 2003, the costs per player were roughly: $25 for producing the t-shirts (we needed to print more t-shirts than we had players); $5 per head for the cost of lunch (extremely cheap, especially given the quality of the lunches and given that Stan provided his labour and expertise for free!); $7 for field hire (expensive - but very nice fields and they do have grass on them!); and $5.50 for prizes and miscellaneous expenses. The average fee collected per player was $40.42 and sales of sports drinks, chocolate bars and spare t-shirts raised just over $4 per player.
In 2004, the costs per player were roughly: $23 for producing the t-shirts; $7 per head for the cost of lunch (bigger lunch budget than last year!); $5 for field hire; $2.50 for AFDA fees; $7 for the party and pizza; and $1 for advertising, prizes and miscellaneous expenses. The average fee collected per player was $35.39 and preliminary figures suggest that sales of sports drinks, chocolate bars and spare t-shirts raised just over $1 per player so far.
In 2005, the costs per player were roughly: $26 for producing the t-shirts; $6 per head for the cost of lunch; $6 for field hire; $2.50 for AFDA fees; $7 for the party and pizza; and $2 for advertising, prizes and miscellaneous expenses. The average fee collected per player was $40.11 and preliminary figures suggest that sales of sports drinks, chocolate bars and spare t-shirts made a loss of around $1 per player so far (although there is still some Gatorade left - anyone want to buy some??).
With a Tas Uni Ultimate Club contribution of around $650 this year, partially supported by sponsorship from Sport and Recreation Tasmania, Two-Hat VII looks like it will make a profit of around $300. Thanks to the Tas Uni Club and Sport and Recreation Tasmania for your support!
If anyone wishes to inspect the detailed Two-Hat VII financial statements, talk to Jemery. Any proceeds from the Two-Hat go towards supporting the growth of ultimate frisbee in Tasmania. Any losses are covered by the TUA. If anyone still thinks that the Two-Hat is expensive, and that they could run it for less, feel free to apply for the position of Two-Hat TD in 2006 (there is a vacancy!!).
Looking out for the bottom dollar!
Limited numbers of excess t-shirts are still available for sale including 5 Two-Hat VI shirts ($15, 3 size M: all aqua, 2 size XL: 1 green, 1 purple), and 7 Two-Hat VII shirts ($20, size range and colours still to be determined but mostly large!). If you want to reserve one of these shirts, talk to Jemery. All profits go to the Tasmanian Ultimate Association and support ultimate frisbee in Tasmania! If you want one of the TUA discs (first seen at Two-Hat VI and reprinted in new colours just before Two-Hat VII), check out the TUA disc sales page.
The 2005 range of TUA discs.
Purple and Barbaloot coloured Two-Hat VI t-shirts from 2004 - some shirts still for sale!
Unclaimed lost property is limited to one red t-shirt. Contact Tim if you want to claim this.
Brought to you by the letter K!
If you have any good photos from the Two-Hat that you are willing to share, let me know. In the meantime, some photos and graphics are now available. Thanks again to Charlie, Matt, Asher and JK for taking these and for making them available!
Two-Hat VII action.
At the end of the day there were plenty of tired legs and tired heads - not least of which were my own!
Heads up
I look forward to seeing you next October at Two-Hat VIII. While the successful candidate is unknown as yet, for the first time in the history of the Two-Hat, next year there will be a new TD!
Cheers
Jemery (recently retired Two-Hat TD)
November 17, 2005.
Wearing a couple of different hats...
Stubby guts!