Outrage as NZ girls play in and win Queensland title

[Mr bEn]

This has already been discussed in the Junior Forum, but I'm sure there are plenty who haven't caught on to this yet. Is in today's Courier Mail if you haven't read it already ....



IN a move that has shocked the sport, the new Queensland under-14 girls basketball champions are from New Zealand.

In a move sure to send maroons everywhere red with rage, Basketball Queensland (http://www.basketballqld.net.au/) has allowed a guest New Zealand team to claim the state title, leaving the rightful champions - the Southern District Spartans - as runners-up.

To make matters worse, the winning team - PWP Waikato - had already been named NZ national under-14 champions before beating the Spartans 67-35 in their recent grand final clash.

Spartans general manager Allan Ladewig said the devastated Brisbane girls would now be forced to contest the Australian national club competition in October as the highest-ranked Queensland team, but without the title to back it up.

"I do think it is wrong that an international club team, that didn't qualify under any of the selection criteria, can win our state title," he said.

"I don't know what Basketball Queensland was thinking."

BQ chief executive Graham Burns has stood by the controversial decision, suggesting that while he did not expect everyone to understand, the organisation had been acting "strategically and in the best interest of the sport as a whole".

He said Queensland had never won a national under-14 club championship and "we want to reverse this trend, hence our desire to invite and welcome better teams to our State Classics".

"We need to constantly provide opportunities to challenge ourselves in order to improve," Mr Burns said.

"If we remain isolationist it will make it more and more difficult to compete nationally as the better states have no issue with other states competing in their championships.

"In fact they embrace this concept."

Mr Ladewig said while no one had a problem with bringing other teams into the competition, he knew of no other sport (or state) which allowed an outside team to claim a state title.

He said that, if a outside team or athlete won, the usual practice was to give a trophy to the winner as well as the first-placed Queensland team or athlete - with the latter entitled to the title.

"We're really very disappointed for the girls - there were a hell of a lot of tears," he said.

"But we're not a sport that has a lot of democracy, so I guess nothing's going to change."

[Unregistered]

I agree wholeheartedly that Basketball Queensland have dropped the ball on this one. I think it was a good initiative to get tougher teams into the championship and am all for that but there is no way they should be able to walk away with the title. The state championship should have gone to Districts.



"But we're not a sport that has a lot of democracy, so I guess nothing's going to change."

I am a little surprised with this comment from Allan though. He must have a very short memory for how he ruled with an iron fist when he was president of BQ. I think he is a very good innovator at what he does with his club but i wouldnt think he should be commenting on democracy.

Bad luck to the Districts Girls. At least everybody in Queensland bar BQ will recognise you as the true state champions. Well done.

[Unregistered]

I also agree, after all it is a Qld Classic and should only be won by a Qld team other wise change the name to something else. An apologue to all from BQ wouldn't hurt, it just might help.......

[pagey]

It is a state classic that queensland hosts, the champion doesn't have to be from queensland.

[Unregistered]

As a past Chairman of Basketball Qld (BQ) the actions and attitude of Basketball Queensland in this matter should come as no surprise to Mr Laedwig. The real losers in this decision are the kids on the Spartan junior girl’s team. While this is regrettable, complaining about it to Basketball Qld will have little or no effect on the way they continue to manage the sport in this state, or the manner in which they treat their member associations.

If the Southern Districts Basketball Association, or for that matter any other disgruntled BQ affiliated association really does want to effect change, then they should investigate what many other associations in regional Queensland are already doing . . . . . opt out of the BQ system!

Over the last two years many associations in the Darling Downs region of South East Queensland decided not to renew their affiliation with Basketball Queensland and have since been operating as an independent network under one brand. Warwick, Goondiwindi, Stanthorpe, Lockyer Valley and Dysart all work under the umbrella of Academy Basketball Inc, which is based in Highfields near Toowoomba. This network has combined their resources to promote and develop the sport in the South East region, servicing areas where basketball as a sport was dying or non-existent and creating a legitimate alternative to BQ in other locations.

The motivation for individual associations choosing this path vary; however, one common driver was the lack of “on the ground service delivery” from Basketball Queensland in exchange for the various fees charged. Regional associations pay similar fees as their metropolitan counterparts, yet they do not receive the same level of service, especially in the area of junior development. One regional association commented that they had not seen a Basketball Queensland employed Development Officer for six years despite making requests for skills clinics to be conducted in their local area.

Academy Basketball Inc now boasts an affiliated membership of over 750 people, and is growing rapidly each year. The organisation is not doing anything particularly clever to achieve this; however it does listen to its constituents and has a co-operative approach when it comes to promoting and administering the sport. The vast majority of profits are re-invested directly back into the region in the form of player and systems development in order to fuel and sustain growth.

The price paid for independence by some players has been higher than others. Queensland athletes that are members of independent associations do not have the same access to state or national pathways as a BQ registered player, thanks to a relatively obscure non-compete By-Law in Basketball Queensland’s constitution. This rule effectively prevents access to all non-BQ registered players and teams from competing in BQ competitions and events (with the exception, it seems, of New Zealand players). Further, a registered BQ player is not even permitted to participate in a neighbouring association’s club fixtures if that neighbouring club is not affiliated with Basketball Queensland. If they do, there are a number of penalties that BQ can apply to that players own association under the competition against non-members clause. It appears this policy is adhered to when it suits BQ and ignored, when it does not. Bad luck if you are a BQ registered junior who just wants to play more basketball and the next nearest association isn’t affiliated with Basketball Queensland.

This policy becomes even more disturbing when you consider the fact that Basketball Qld is supposed to be promoting and developing the sport for all Queenslanders, and are supported in doing so, through funding which comes from the state government coffers through the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Why is it then, that, an international team that contributes nothing to the sport in Queensland is allowed to compete in the Queensland State Classics and yet independent Queensland associations are not? Irrespective of affiliation status, the taxes of these parents and players also help to fund Basketball Queensland in the first place. It would appear then, that Basketball Queensland applies their non-compete policy selectively. Organisations like Academy Basketball Inc, Maryborough Basketball and Kepple Bay Basketball are out and about in their local communities, developing the sport at their own cost, and yet are prevented from accessing state competitions by Basketball Queensland simply because they choose not to affiliate with them.

As a consequence, Academy Basketball Inc has had to develop its own player pathways by re-establishing regional based competitions and carnivals with its affiliates and other like-minded associations outside its area such as Maryborough Basketball. The organisation is also working with other regional associations from inter-state to develop cross border events that promote and develop the sport in the bush. While it is disappointing that regional and rural associations have had to go down this road, remaining affiliated with BQ was never going to be equitable.

Basketball Queensland derive a significant portion of revenue from their affiliated associations and it is important to note that Basketball Queensland do not have individuals as members. BQ’s members are in fact limited to those associations that have a direct affiliation agreement with BQ. Each member association pays fees based on the number of players they report to BQ as registered participants. While a member association may also have a number of incorporated clubs making up its player base, it is only the member association that may vote at BQ annual general meetings

Hypothetically, should several larger member associations decide not to renew their annual affiliation with BQ and make the decision to collaborate outside the system, the negative impact on Basketball Queensland’s revenue stream would be significant. We estimate that this year alone in our region, BQ have missed out on at least $30,000 in membership revenue, not counting lost tournament revenues by excluding our teams from entering their state competitions and events. This money has instead been re-invested directly back into the associations that generated it, not lost in the void.

Mr Laedwig’s comment that; “we’re not a sport that has a lot of democracy” may well be true, however, at the end of the day, his association, like many others in Queensland, can effect change if they really want to by voting with their feet.

There have been a number of comments posted on the courier mails website, to view them go to http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24061007-10389,00.html

[Unregistered]

If you are going so well why is it that the son of your most prominent coach, Pop Dickerson, played for South West Metro at the Under 18 State Classics. Fact is, you group is a pathway to nowhere.

Being king pin in Darling Downs or Wide Bay is nothing to crow about if the performance of teams from these regions in the recent school basketball competition played in Toowoomba is anything to go on.

Associations affiliated to BQ make a contribution to the support and pathway they provide. This pathway leads all the way to FIBA, the world governing body. The NZ team is affiliated to Basketball NZ, which is in turn affiliated to FIBA. In other words, we are all part of the world wide organisation......unlike you.

Seems that your group wants access to all of the benefits without making any contribution to the cost of this infrastructure.

Your group was a thorn in the side of Toowoomba Basketball for years and were impossible to deal with. Fact is, you came to BQ looking for a deal to be affiliated in your own right but BQ stood by the Tooowoomba and asked you for a time to remain as a club of Toowoomba Basketball. You refused so I think it is a bit rich to make out you have been denied anything.

You are not part of our group so what gives you the right to make any comment. I suggest you go back to where you came from and think again about what you say. You have nothing to offer people who are looking for professionalism and a pathway so shut up and go away!!!

Ladewig is making comment to suit his own agenda as are you. You obviosly have no respect for all of the people who have put time and effort into our sport and only have your own interest to peddle. It was must be as plain as the nose on your face that you want we have but you have stuffed it up so you can't get it.

[Unregistered]

I think you missed the point. they didnt get any benefits from being apart of BQ. Their only real gripe hear is that they dont get to attend BQ Classics etc, where as NZ teams do.

And Darling Downs did alright at the Schools Tournament in Toowoomba. They beat a few good teams.

[Academy Basketball]

I think you missed the point. they didnt get any benefits from being apart of BQ. Their only real gripe hear is that they dont get to attend BQ Classics etc, where as NZ teams do.

And Darling Downs did alright at the Schools Tournament in Toowoomba. They beat a few good teams.

Yes, the person who posted "Academy Suck" has well and truly missed the point, and hopefully their opinion and attitude is not representative of the average person involved in the sport of Basketball. Perhaps it was just displaced aggression.

[Unregistered]

Your group was a thorn in the side of Toowoomba Basketball for years and were impossible to deal with. Fact is, you came to BQ looking for a deal to be affiliated in your own right but BQ stood by the Tooowoomba and asked you for a time to remain as a club of Toowoomba Basketball. You refused so I think it is a bit rich to make out you have been denied anything.

Maybe you should get your facts right first before talking about things that you obviously know nothing about. When Academy was involved with Toowoomba Basketball - All of our teams that were entered into the Toowoomba Cup competition were virtually undefeated in most of the games. 80% of all players picked for teams in the premier league were made up of Academy players. In fact it was Toowoomba Basketball who grovelled to Pop Dickerson in 2005 for him to make a team of U12 girls from Academy players as Toowoomba did not have any, and would of denied access to the Premier league division. Since Toowoomba does not want Academy participating in their competition, Toowoomba Basketball can no longer compete in the Premier league division. So from this it is obvious that without Academy - Toowoomba Basketball is dying a slow but inevidable death. And this is only due to the exclusion bylaw that Graham Burns chooses to inflict on the Darling Downs when it suits him that Toowoomba will eventually die out.

Affilation only support the Metro based players. Serveral associations which are now run by Academy Basketball which are located further west than Toowoomba, never received any support from BQ in many years. So where is their money going to ?? And what pathways do they have for the kids in the bush ??

The only reason stopping Academy Basketball becoming a club of Toowoomba is the fact that we would have to stop all our activities and hand over all our money to Toowoomba Basketball. Academy currently use the money they generate from their own competition (which is always open to any player - affiliated or not) to pay for a full time development officer which constantly increases participation in the game of Basketball. Toowoomba Basketball dont even have a development officer ??

When it all comes down to the bottom line - it is all about anyone, whether you are affiliated or not, getting kids of their butts and on a court to play Basketball. It is supposed to be a grass roots type of sport - yet all I ever hear about is the high profile players and how they are disadvantaged by clubs like Academy not willing to pay $80 per year per child. Why should the average child in the bush who will never be noticed in a sport where the top selectors are so blind as to only ever look at Metro based players - be forced to pay to a system which will give nothing back.

And obviously your heading "Academy Suck" - just goes to prove how uneducated and unprofresssional you really are. I am surprised you even found out how to read a comment posted on a website :) Any person who tries to get kids playing any sport should be given respect - especially in Australia now that we are the fattest country in the world. The people who sit back and complain are obviously not the peeple who are trying to make a difference to kids and sport. Kids sport is no place for politics and kids should not be denied any access to anything because the management of a state governing body are backwards.

I think "good on you Academy" - getting kids into this sport before the top profile management destroy the reputation of the game fpor everyone involved.

[Karen Boyd]

If you are going so well why is it that the son of your most prominent coach, Pop Dickerson, played for South West Metro at the Under 18 State Classics. Fact is, you group is a pathway to nowhere.

Being king pin in Darling Downs or Wide Bay is nothing to crow about if the performance of teams from these regions in the recent school basketball competition played in Toowoomba is anything to go on.

Associations affiliated to BQ make a contribution to the support and pathway they provide. This pathway leads all the way to FIBA, the world governing body. The NZ team is affiliated to Basketball NZ, which is in turn affiliated to FIBA. In other words, we are all part of the world wide organisation......unlike you.

Seems that your group wants access to all of the benefits without making any contribution to the cost of this infrastructure.

Your group was a thorn in the side of Toowoomba Basketball for years and were impossible to deal with. Fact is, you came to BQ looking for a deal to be affiliated in your own right but BQ stood by the Tooowoomba and asked you for a time to remain as a club of Toowoomba Basketball. You refused so I think it is a bit rich to make out you have been denied anything.

You are not part of our group so what gives you the right to make any comment. I suggest you go back to where you came from and think again about what you say. You have nothing to offer people who are looking for professionalism and a pathway so shut up and go away!!!

Ladewig is making comment to suit his own agenda as are you. You obviosly have no respect for all of the people who have put time and effort into our sport and only have your own interest to peddle. It was must be as plain as the nose on your face that you want we have but you have stuffed it up so you can't get it.

Dear Gutless

You really are missing the point, none of your details are correct. Anyone who plays in a BQ competition pays the same registration as anyone else, why has this escaped your attention? I don’t see anyone in Queensland getting the benefits whilst not paying, but I can tell you who has, New Zealand.

You choose to be ignorant and dogmatic with your opinions. Why can’t people purely play where they choose? You simply haven’t answered the question why can’t people do both? Why is this not allowed in Queensland? You have already told us all the advantages set by BQ, put all your emotional ravings and prejudices aside and just deal with the question. Why can’t the person who pays their registration for BQ just like everybody else, be allowed to play for a non BQ Association which may be nearby and convenient for them? If sport is about competition and you believe BQ has clearly got the edge, and the players pay their full fees to participate in each association, why does BQ have a bylaw prohibiting this action? Competition? They say they don’t have any, but they simply don’t allow any competition.

Why anonymous, what are you afraid of? There are only repercussions if you speak out against BQ, I’m sure Academy Basketball don’t really care what you think.

Karen Boyd

[Unregistered]

1. 80% of all players picked for teams in the premier league were made up of Academy players.
2. Since Toowoomba does not want Academy participating in their competition, Toowoomba Basketball can no longer compete in the Premier league division.
3. So from this it is obvious that without Academy - Toowoomba Basketball is dying a slow but inevidable death.
4. The only reason stopping Academy Basketball becoming a club of Toowoomba is the fact that we would have to stop all our activities and hand over all our money to Toowoomba Basketball.

I am fairly sure who the author is of the posts above, but I have an obligation to point out some factual errors on behalf of Toowoomba Basketball Association.

1. My records from the last year that Academy were playing within TBA do not support this claim that 80% of rep players were from Academy. In fact, this year we have welcomed a steady inflow of junior players rejoining TBA after a brief stint at Academy because, in their words:
"the basketball games are not very well organised"
"we play the same teams each week"
"we have to play mixed games"
"the refereeing is atrocious"
"we (as players) don't get the fitness and level of competition we want"

2. TBA (Toowoomba Basketball Assoc) left an open invitation with Academy and it's registered players to rejoin TBA/BQ. It's all about choice and agreeing to those BQ by-laws, the same as every other affiliated Association abides by. Toowoomba had only one team in Premier League last season (by choice), obviously the anonymous poster has not kept up with the BQJBC rules. This year we might have more teams challenging to get into PL, we'll leave that decision to our Coaches, who, by the way, are not paid and do it because they want to genuinely put back into basketball.

3. That Toowoomba is "dying a slow but envitable death" (check your spelling mate) is a bold comment and one I would disagree with. This year we have had some of the best home crowds in the SE Corner of any QABL teams, our Seniors comp is very well contested with new teams joining regularly, and our junior program provides the pathway that juniors can utilise (if they so desire), with a choice of 4 Clubs. We have qualified and accredited referees and coaches, funded and trained through the relationship with BA and BQ. In 2008-09 TBA will once again have junior rep teams in each age group and is also serious about developing our own facility in the mid-term future. We have players, referees and scoretable officials involved in all levels from local club games through to QABL and NBL. Many of our rep team Coaches have been or are currently involved in State team and Regional programs in the Club systema nd schools system. In terms of team performances, the U14 Boys went undefeated through the recent Classics, and the U16G and U14B won the Div 2 finals in BQJBC. I would say the results are starting to speak for themselves, and with Toowoomba hosting the U18 Classics in 2009, we are keen to showcase that basketball is alive and well in Toowoomba. As for that posting heading, "Academy is Toowoomba" is that more about an organisation or the sport?

4. As in any Association, the entity that manages the competition retains the game fees to pay for referees, court hire and running costs. Academy made a choice to go it alone based on money first, with basketball and player development lagging a fair way behind in second place. A Club within an Association has a variety of options in how to raise money - fundraising, coaching tuition fees etc. How much $ is enough if you are a true not-for-profit sporting association?

People who know me know I am not into points scoring (except when on the court!) so as far as Academy goes, I respect their choice but if you thought that player, coaching, officials and volunteer development was an important consideration for your membership dollars, you would stick with the BQ program.

Anthony Corcoran
TBA President

[Unregistered]

This sounds like Fitzpatrick or one of his clones. Typical language from BQ. Agree with us or we'll sue you! Its about time they realised they aren't the be all and end all of basketball.

[Unregistered]

I read Mr Corcoran's comments with interest, especially the one about

"It's all about choice and agreeing to those BQ by-laws, the same as every other affiliated Association abides by"

It may interest you to know Mr Corcoran that the club I belong to has been losing players to a certain PCYC for some time because they have a special deal with BQ which gives them access to BQ events at a lower overall cost per player.

So don't kid yourself, all associations are not equal in the eyes of BQ, they will do a deal and bend the rules to get what they want and bugger the rest!

[Unregistered]

Mr Ladewig, you claim that

"I do think it is wrong that an international club team, that didn't qualify under any of the selection criteria, can win our state title, I don't know what Basketball Queensland was thinking."

Well, I dont think any of your teams should be allowed to compete when your whole organization probably should'nt have been there in the first place. Check out BQ's selection criteria for affiliated association membership.

10 ELIGIBILITY - AFFILIATED ASSOCIATIONS
10.1 An entity must comply with the requirements of this rule to be eligible to become and
remain a member of the association as an affiliated association.
10.2 The entity must be:
(a) an association incorporated under the Act; or
(b) an unincorporated association that:
(i) has applied for incorporation under the Act; and
(ii) becomes incorporated under the Act within 1 year after applying for
membership of the association as an affiliated association.

According to my website search, your association is a "Company Limited by Guarantee", governed by your articles of association and corporations law, not by the incorporated associations act.

I don't see this anywhere in the eligibility criteria. Might want to look into this one BQ?

Go New Zealand!

Informed Kiwi

[Karen Boyd]

:banghead:Basketball Queensland doesn’t wish to remain isolationist? Then why don’t they simply abolish their anti-competitive bylaw which excludes hundreds of Queensland children from competing in BQ competitions? Not all areas of Queensland have the most competitive BQ affiliate clubs yet any junior who chooses to play outside these associations cannot also play in a BQ affiliate. This effectively means that junior cannot play for Queensland or Australia. BQ don’t accept their own constitutional object (3) to help Affiliated Associations and others involved in the sport of basketball to achieve their objectives? How is this object served by the restrictions on competition against members who are also members of a non-affiliated association? After all when these players play in a BQ association they pay their full BQ registrations just like ever other BQ player. Sport should be encouraged at every level by any group and means, the flow on result will benefit BQ ultimately. I and many others involved in the sport of basketball would like to see a reporter write a story about the numerous disappointed Queensland children who have been victims of BQ’s anti-competitive bylaw. :mad:My son has experienced bitter disappointment of this BQ bylaw personally when he was a member on the state squad and would be dropped if he continued to play in his local club in Yeppoon Keppel Bay Basketball (no BQ affiliate club operating in Yeppoon). The irony is after complying with BQ’s demands he and his sister are now refused membership in the now local BQ stadium and with no reason given. Mr. Burns ad no comment when asked about their situation. As the children say today “Go figure!!”:banghead:

[Unregistered]

Re====Informed Kiwi[/QUOTE]

Southern Districts Basketball Association Ltd. Spartans not members of BQ? They don't meet the elegibility criteria of BQ under rule 10 of their constitutuion. Look it up. Would anyone like to ask BQ why not?

Be warned though if you ask to many questions I hope you are prepared to play a new sport!

[Unregistered]

The constitutional changes you speak of were not made retrospectively and Districts were already part of BQ. Check your facts and I think you will find districts are forming as a association to meet the new BQ criteria.

[Unregistered]

To: All Associations



At the Board meeting held Thursday 7 August 2008, the Board reviewed the rules for the State Classics and has resolved to amend rule 1.2:



Nominations will only be accepted from Affiliated Associations, who are financial with BQ at the time of nomination. BQ reserves the right to accept nominations from interstate/overseas teams.



The second sentence of this will be amended to:



BQ reserves the right to accept nominations from interstate/overseas teams; however, these teams may only compete in Division 2 (or below).



The 12 team format for Division 1 of the State Classics will remain and only those teams which qualify through the established proves within Queensland will be permitted to compete in Division 1.



The Board does; however, feel that it is necessary for our player development to invite stronger teams into this State so that our players can experience higher level competition which will assist with player development. BQ will look to introduce additional tournaments which are open to teams from anywhere and there will be no restrictions on winning these events. Further announcements on these tournaments will be made following development of the BQ strategic/operational plans for 2009.

[Unregistered]

To: All Associations

At the Board meeting held Thursday 7 August 2008, the Board reviewed the rules for the State Classics and has resolved to amend rule 1.2:

Nominations will only be accepted from Affiliated Associations, who are financial with BQ at the time of nomination. BQ reserves the right to accept nominations from interstate/overseas teams.

The second sentence of this will be amended to:

BQ reserves the right to accept nominations from interstate/overseas teams; however, these teams may only compete in Division 2 (or below).

The 12 team format for Division 1 of the State Classics will remain and only those teams which qualify through the established proves within Queensland will be permitted to compete in Division 1.

The Board does; however, feel that it is necessary for our player development to invite stronger teams into this State so that our players can experience higher level competition which will assist with player development. BQ will look to introduce additional tournaments which are open to teams from anywhere and there will be no restrictions on winning these events. Further announcements on these tournaments will be made following development of the BQ strategic/operational plans for 2009.

Is the above post actually from BQ? or just something some anonymous person has made up?

[Fly]

Ring BQ and ask. Best way to get confirmation.

[Mr bEn]

Interesting.

It certainly wouldn't hurt allowing interstate/international associations entry into our State Classics. Perhaps the two best QLD sides could play off for 'State Champion' and if an outsider were to make it through to the big dance, they could ultimately contest an alternate 'Overall Champion' match.

It would hardly be fair to parents to create a financial burden by considering the introduction of yet another tournament.

[Unregistered]

Interesting.

It certainly wouldn't hurt allowing interstate/international associations entry into our State Classics. Perhaps the two best QLD sides could play off for 'State Champion' and if an outsider were to make it through to the big dance, they could ultimately contest an alternate 'Overall Champion' match.

It would hardly be fair to parents to create a financial burden by considering the introduction of yet another tournament.
Like the simple logic bEn but admitting interstate/international teams into tournaments, which registered affiliated Association teams provide the majority of participants for, tends to remove any need for compliance with this criteria. It's a well known sentiment amongst parents coaches and volunteers out there that they would indeed LOVE to dispense with the need and the financial impost of the 20+ week slog around SEQ for their kids to be eligible to compete at Classics. Would seem an attractive proposition for any coach with a bit of profile to get on the phone recruit a pretty handy group, enter them and win a State Championships. And thats a fantastic way to go for an invitational tournament but pretty well removes the Club, Coach, Volunteer and Player development component from playing weekly competition with other affiliated Associations in BQJBC, arduous as it is at times. Sort of puts us in the same boat as the North where they get the TON carnivals and little else by way of regular quality competition and the outcomes are apparent at State and National level. Need to keep State Classics for affiliated Associations and for those that feel they need extra exposure and competition, (which is already available from Schools/ITC/State/local A grade comps) then let them enter in the annual Logan Summer Slam and play against the Yanks and older kids, take Horizon tours or enter the Coffs Harbour Invitational Tournament or the annual Invitational in Melbourne or....and at the risk of being shot at dawn for heresy, resurrect the All State Regional Challenge to provide another higher level of competition equivalent to Classics. Dont make it compulsory and pass it off as a pseudo State Selection tournament (that story just didnt wash as the State Squad selections were controlled by the ITC and the ITC kids made the squads regardless of how well or how poorly they performed in actual competition), rather, open it up to all. Irony is but if it were a Regional competition where teams were made up of the best from 2-3-4 Associations in a Region, I'll bet you would find the Kiwi regional teams wouldnt be seen or heard from as they'd know they wouldnt be competitive on that level playing field.
Associations need some incentive to stay affiliated with BQ and BQ needs Associations to stay affiliated. The simplest tried and true is to keep the State Classics for properly affiliated Associations. Anything else can be open slather and the market will determine it's level.