The exemption policy is officially being changed. Fairness for our teams is finally guaranteed.
February 15, 2019
Final supporters
Currently there are high schools in the city that take advantage of an exemption which gives them a distinct edge. They voluntarily upgrade to a more skilled division (ie:AAAA) during the regular season only to return to their default division (ie:AAA) for the playoffs. After a season at AAAA, these teams almost always dominate the AAA playoffs. As you can imagine, it is disheartening and unfair for all the other teams when they realize they will face these AAAA opponents during AAA playoffs.
The proposal is to modify the upgrade exemption and ask teams to declare which division they choose to play for at the beginning of the season and remain there for the duration of the season and playoffs.
Updates
December 4, 2018
The momentum is undeniable now. This shows just how many people see the issue with the current playoff system.
Reached 100 supporters
December 4, 2018
21 Comments
If teams so choose to play at a higher level for season, then they should be prepared and ready to compete at that level for playoffs.
Teams should not be allowed to play in a category for the regular season and then switch for the playoffs. It is not fair for the other teams. Pennants should be earned for the work and effort done prior to the playoffs. Stop this sandbagging! Goes to show what some teams will do to win a pennant. Coaches and schools need to show some respect in sport!
I also feel that all school sports should use a formula similar to high school hockey. Looking at the number of club players etc. our school has a high population but more female than males. Very few out to tryout for male teams and very few playing on club teams. We play in AAAA due to school population but we never won a single varsity VB game.
Same thing here in Québec with Ski (Alpin and Moguls competitions) and they actually changed the rules in that same perspective in order to let the kids have fun AND foremost have a sense of accomplishment in having a actual reachable goal.
This is the first sports league that I see it happen. Any other league you cannot play down for playoffs. The number of students in the school is not a good indicator for some schools. Westgate had 5+ club players among their ranks in JV this year. That’s a huge advantage and should be considered when a team registers for MHSAA volleyball.
To be fair for everyone.
If they sign up for AAAA, stay there.
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The exemption policy is officially being changed. Fairness for our teams is finally guaranteed.
February 15, 2019
Final supporters
Currently there are high schools in the city that take advantage of an exemption which gives them a distinct edge. They voluntarily upgrade to a more skilled division (ie:AAAA) during the regular season only to return to their default division (ie:AAA) for the playoffs. After a season at AAAA, these teams almost always dominate the AAA playoffs. As you can imagine, it is disheartening and unfair for all the other teams when they realize they will face these AAAA opponents during AAA playoffs.
The proposal is to modify the upgrade exemption and ask teams to declare which division they choose to play for at the beginning of the season and remain there for the duration of the season and playoffs.
Updates
December 4, 2018
The momentum is undeniable now. This shows just how many people see the issue with the current playoff system.
Reached 100 supporters
December 4, 2018
21 Comments
By allowing this practice to go on, the message we are sending our kids is that the most important thing is winning a championship - regardless of the level - rather than the spirit of sport. What satisfaction can there really be of winning a championship in a competitive level lower than the one you've played in (successfully!) throughout the season? The argument that allowing them to "play up" during the season is better for player development is superficial. Development goes further than just skills: it includes sportsmanship - which is clearly lacking here. Choose the level you want to participate in and stick to it for the year. Take a page from Neelin High School: a small school that competed in and won AAAA Provincial championships. That is an accomplishment.
If teams so choose to play at a higher level for season, then they should be prepared and ready to compete at that level for playoffs.
Teams should not be allowed to play in a category for the regular season and then switch for the playoffs. It is not fair for the other teams. Pennants should be earned for the work and effort done prior to the playoffs. Stop this sandbagging! Goes to show what some teams will do to win a pennant. Coaches and schools need to show some respect in sport!
I also feel that all school sports should use a formula similar to high school hockey. Looking at the number of club players etc. our school has a high population but more female than males. Very few out to tryout for male teams and very few playing on club teams. We play in AAAA due to school population but we never won a single varsity VB game.
Same thing here in Québec with Ski (Alpin and Moguls competitions) and they actually changed the rules in that same perspective in order to let the kids have fun AND foremost have a sense of accomplishment in having a actual reachable goal.
This is the first sports league that I see it happen. Any other league you cannot play down for playoffs. The number of students in the school is not a good indicator for some schools. Westgate had 5+ club players among their ranks in JV this year. That’s a huge advantage and should be considered when a team registers for MHSAA volleyball.
To be fair for everyone.
If they sign up for AAAA, stay there.
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By allowing this practice to go on, the message we are sending our kids is that the most important thing is winning a championship - regardless of the level - rather than the spirit of sport. What satisfaction can there really be of winning a championship in a competitive level lower than the one you've played in (successfully!) throughout the season? The argument that allowing them to "play up" during the season is better for player development is superficial. Development goes further than just skills: it includes sportsmanship - which is clearly lacking here. Choose the level you want to participate in and stick to it for the year. Take a page from Neelin High School: a small school that competed in and won AAAA Provincial championships. That is an accomplishment.