My "NARCh Experience" in Marple, PA

[SpeedDemon]

First off, I'll start out by saying that I've been to many NARCh events regionally and nationally. Winternationals has been some of the most fun I've had on skates.

However, this weekend, I played in the regional at Marple. I have to say that it was easily the most disappointing NARCh event I've ever been to and perhaps one of the most disappointing hockey tournaments I've ever played in.

Of course, you're going to say it's because we lost. Not true. I've lost hundreds of times in my life. We never sniffed the playoffs at Winternationals, yet we kept going back every year. I'm a professional loser.

The problem was the whole "Let's just get this over with" feel of the entire production. Was it because it was the last regional before nationals and everyone was jsut going through the motions? Sure, the turnout wasn't as large as some of your other regionals, but everyone is paying a premium for the "world's best roller hockey" right? So where was entertainment? How 'bout a little music? Where were the vendors? The best part of the whole thing was Marple's newly-constructed giant jungle gym, but the staff wouldn't let me go in it.

Also, what's with cramming the juniors and men together into a 6 team division, then only allotting 3 playoff spots?

Not everyone is just happy with qualifying for Nationals. Some of us didn't even plan on going. Now, more of us don't plan on going. Is that the kind of PR you're aiming for?

Next time, if I want to play in a half-assed run hockey tournament, I'll save a bit of money and play some local charity event and I'll tell the parents, coaches and players I associate with to do the same. At least it won't feel like I'm padding wallets.

[GROWL]

Apparently the leading scorer had 7 points. We had two players with more then that. I'm not claiming that our guys were the leading scorers, but its just another example of how poorly this event was run.
I think it is important to note that the officiating was extremely good as well as the competetion. Its a shame, really ruined my vision of NARCh and it lost them a team for the finals that was planning on attending.

[fbr3of4]

Prime example. See "In-line hockey dying?" Events like this contributing to death.

[SpeedDemon]

I agree that the refs were good. I expected that though because I recognized the referees and I knew they were very solid. There was never any doubt.

[ChiMagic19]

I have to agree sometimes I think NARCh is a bit more of a profit seeker than a roller hockey sanction. Have you noticed the venues Finals has been held at the last couple years after the big one in Minnesota. They must have lost so much money on that event that the next few had to be toned down to put some money back in there pockets.

The thing that makes me the most angry is the fact that they charge an extra 50 bucks to pay with Credit Card, even after they only give us a week to sign up for Nationals. VISA and MC charge around 2-2.5% of the sale to used their cards.....I could do this all day but need to get to work.

[deno94]

For anyone that has been to a Narch Regional vs. Torhs Regional, there is one major difference; music and entertainment. Torhs does an excellent job as far as music is concerned, but is WAY TOO INTO the music instead of the hockey tournament. Narch is more into the hockey tournament before the music and entertainment. I agree with the weekend being a bit dull, but then again, we are in the middle of PA, with a dull area, hot weekend etc. The two gentlemen this weekend, did an excellent job with the rosters and scoring, do to the fact that we keep our own stats for all the teams in our division, and they matched perfectly for our division. As far as paying money for entertainment, youre playing $495 for a regional tournament, 3 game guarantee, that is not that bad! Music and entertainment is only what you make it....other than that the tournament ran very smoothly.

[wolves89]

500 hundred bucks for 3 sub-par games?? that doesn't seem that great to me... while absoultely worth it at most events... maybe not so at this past qualifier... suggestion, do not run them so close to finals... also way too many qualifiers in some areas, this makes the tournaments small... have only 2 with in one area a year.. just a thought... i remember when tournaments used to fun in this area and you couldn't even fit another team in a division... the old ISCA tournys were the best, great teams came to them... there used to be a good tourny every weekend in this area, now its hard to fill out a division

i think the biggest shock was at winternationals with no platnium mites and squirts... squirts is one of the biggest age groups in the country, and they couldn't even have a tourny?? whats going on with roller hockey??

wow what a pointless ramble on my part haha

i'm not slow, i'm patient

[NJRH]

Thankfully No Loud Music - And I Like My Music Loud
Quality Reffing - Felt Like I Got My Monies Worth
No Divisions Older Than Squirt Playing On The Small Rink - Duh!
Public Address System Utilized For Awards Ceremonies - About Freakin Time
AC Cranked Up All Weekend - Reminded Me Of TECO

And remember, all happening the same weekend: TORHS @ Tab Ramos, Keystone Games @ Sportsplex, TopCat @ Zrink, ECHO Nationals @ Raleigh, and USARS @ Carolina Sportsplex.

Kudos to Nick and Roy from NARCh for keeping the ball rolling and everything under control.

Steve Inge

[SpeedDemon]

I will say that Daryn from NARCh emailed me and has been corresponding with me for the past two days - despite his busy schedule with preparing for Finals and such - and he has expressed a legitimate concern over these issues. So I'd like to acknowledge that.

[cougarsrh]

We still would have preferred to play up or down, since most of our kids are 16 anyway, since the Midget division was a 3 team division , with us, the Valley Stream team, and the 16U fillin team for TMD, the Wolfpac. Of course, I think that would have made a 7 team divison, which would have thrown the whole tournament off a bit, but we have adjusted our tournaments. But I have to remember that we are just a "little local tourney with 35 to 40 teams from 5 states":)

Looking forward to Nationals. Good luck to all.

Rich "Big Cheese" Nardiello
Cougars Roller Hockey Club

[DblJ44]

You guys get teams because you run a nice tourney. You try to run a true A and B at every age, There is little concern about the officials. The Cougar staff work their back sides off to get the cougarmania tourneys to go. Even the 2 refs who couldn't skate got compliments! Oh and meatball Mc Baldys for everyone! (which may be the best part)

Im fat, bald, and slow.

[cougarsrh]

Why thank you. Yes, but that damn Mcbaldy chef will NOT share his secret recipe! Its been asked for many times.

Rich " Big Cheese" Nardiello
Cougars Roller Hockey Club

[Berry_Bramble]

I don't think there was anything wrong with the tournament. You had TORHS running a tourney near by. IT was the LAST qualifier of the year. Most teams have planed what nationals they are going to a month or so ago. There was nothing wrong with the tournament. They did a great job with what they had. Hope to see some of you at the finals

Vio



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[Berry_Bramble]

Yep, Daryn is very good at that.



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