I am Stan Richardson, 33 from Newcastle, England. By day I a freelance accountant/project manager. I’ve been a NAF member since 2009, and I am the TO for Block Around The Clock. I’ve also been the LC for the Geordie Blood Bowl League. My latest project has been running the Northern UK Tournament Series.
So why have I accepted the nomination for this post?
I feel like league play is one of the most important elements to the growth and continued success of the game we all love. I am sure we can all agree that it’s an area that has been neglected by the NAF, but that’s what this is all about.
My personal feeling is leagues are where the hobby and community is built, they are the foundation from which everything else grows. You just need to look around most tournaments to see how many league shirts are worn. In discussions with people it’s often one of the first things people say, I play in this league, and I am sure we all own league dice which have been gifted to us.
I came back to the game via Fumbbl, I also joined the NAF but did not pay to join. I used the NAF site to try and find a league, and sadly the results weren’t great. I found the GBBL via Fumbbl. I played league games before I had the confidence to attend a NAF tournament, and I am sure that’s the same for a lot of people. Leagues are where coaches learn and grow, I feel leagues and tournaments are different animals but equally vital to the game.
Anyway enough of that.
Firstly I would like to thank General Jason and all the staff members for the work they have done so far.
What follows is my vision, with regard to the work that’s already been done in the league development, website development, and so on I am only know as much you do. So some of my vision and ideas may be already in development, or simply not possible. With that in mind to quote a former British political leader, I will under promise and want to over deliver.
If I am elected I will use the first few months to gather information, both from community and the NAF. I will use this to make a draft road plan. This will be a public document and I will make it available before the World Cup. So anyone can discuss it with me over a vino in Lucca. This document will not belong to me, it will be a living document that is for the community.
The ideas fall into two categories short term quick wins, and long term aims.
I do not believe the NAF should approve leagues in the same manner as tournaments. Leagues are often more casual affairs, where the rulebook is amended, added to, or even thrown away. The last thing I would want to do is put a structure into league play. My firm believe is the NAF’s role should to support leagues, not manage leagues. But I would like the NAF to be the one stop shop for all your league needs.
What follows are the ideas I would like to push forward.
* Downloadable advertising material, so leagues can advertise locally to generate interest.
*Guides and advice on running leagues and the pro and cons of formats, rules, and so on.
* Development of the League Locator. I would like an easy searchable database, which leads to a league front page, containing details about the league, website details, contact details, format, house rules, and current league status, for example pre-season and recruiting, under way but still recruiting and so on.
* Development of STARS/QUILT. I would ultimately like leagues to be hosted on the NAF site. The guides and support with OBBLM we currently have is good. I do not want to stop people doing their own thing if they have the skills and motivation. But I would like an easy to use ‘wizard’ here on the NAF. This would allow non CRP teams, housing ruling, and so on. This would link back to the League page and be viewable to all.
* League prize support, this would need to be discussed with the rewards group. This would need to be looked at and discussed for costing’s, and how and who it would be issued to.
* Inclusion of non-table top leagues. Digital Blood bowl is huge, I believe the NAF should support these leagues as well on the league locating service.
* Setting up a league working group, I would use the NTO model, ideally a representative in all the regions. If am elected I would encourage and welcome the other candidates to join this as the first members
Any questions feel free to ask.
Thanks
Stan