This thread - why it is here and general 'rules'

Unfortunately I missed starting this thread off but hopefully this post is close enough to the top of the thread to be seen and thus serve its purpose.

As I mentioned on the Edgbaston thread after Spectator had brought up the idea independently and Gary seemed to agree, it had already been agreed among the mods that a generic A1 thread should be set up to contain specific A1 news.

Spectator put the reason for the thread better than I could:

"Would there be a case for having an A1 thread, in which comment around A1's strategy for Aegon Team Tennis, A1's opinions on the LTA, plans for tennis clubs, future targets for players etc could be posted, leaving more space for discussion of the actual tournament in tournament threads? It's clear that the A1 material is of interest to several members of this board - but equally that there are those who find it frustrating to have to read it while they're searching for other things relating to a tournament. Analysis of matches involving players (whether from A1 or not) could continue on the tournament threads."

So that's basically what this thread should be used for. It'll still be moderated (i.e. any aggressive or unsubstantiated personal stuff will still be cut as it would on any other thread) but if those whom Gary rubs up the wrong way avoid this thread, it's far less likely that the kind of flashpoints that have resulted in the need for lots of moderation recently will arise. A dedicated thread will also let those who are interested in the A1 story follow it more easily.

Obviously the A1-linked players will continue to get covered on the tournament threads for events they play in, but preferably just using their names! 

The flip side of giving A1 a dedicated thread is that the mods will be much stricter about deleting posts on tournament threads that are almost exclusively about A1.  As rule of thumb, if you are writing a post and feel it needs to contain the words "A1" "A1 Academy" (or even "Gary") in it, it should be added to this thread. If such a post appears on the tournament threads for 2013 week 45 onwards, it risks being deleted, as do any replies specific to such a post. I trust the mods to apply this sensibly and give some leeway when necessary, obviously, but if anyone puts an A1-specific post on another thread and it gets zapped, we won't be taking any complaints about it.

Let's hope this works and everybody ends up happy(er) - it's got to be worth a try

I can't quite believe you have the nerve to say that as if you're always the innocent angel in it all.  Though I guess if I hadn't had to be awake for the last 26 hours, I might see the funny side.

In any case, if you had read the post you just quoted, you would see that it specifically says "any aggressive or unsubstantiated personal stuff will still be cut."

We have done our best to be as fair as possible throughout and will continue to do so. There was very little in the way of personal attacks before you joined the board, so you might be better off thinking about why they might have coincided with your arrival (and on a board where people are predisposed to like people who are supporting British tennis players!) instead of trying to tell us how to moderate.

That doesn't mean it's all your fault by any means - as usual in such cases, everyone could do with calming down a bit.

In the end, I and the other mods are trying to be helpful - we would all be very grateful if you could try not to make us wish we hadn't bothered ...

Evo normally plays in the tournament anyway but it's the first time A1 are in the finals - my only worry is that the tournament dinner is at the beginning of the tournament .

The tournament organisers are apparently launching a "lock your daughters up campaign " before the A1 boys arrive ! 

Great idea this thread ( or threads and I personally have no objection at all to weekly A1 threads, say wb xxxx, especially as one can see the possibilties of one A1 thread becoming rather large so weekly dated threads would help if folk looking for something ).

Mention too should go to Ratty, who as far as I can see was the first to yesterday propose this separation, if actually by A1 tournament. Yes, he did it in a certain Ratty style ( and I saw doubt expressed as to his seriousness, but he basically I am sure put the thoughts of many and on which Spectator developed.

Looks as if quite a number of us, including the Mods, were having similar thoughts, but Ratty said it first.

Hopefully we can at times disagee with points in this thread without Gary taking it that folk are then against him and going off again on how good he has been for Marcus in particular, when actually I don't really see anyone disputing that ( so it really does not need repeated ad nauseum though I guess we can more live with it on a decicated A1 thread ).

Folk are different, and while I see a lot of grey in the world, some like Gary seem to see it much more black and white. But let's try to get on here and give consideration to what others have said without being "insulting". "Personal" I think may be inevitable to a degree on a dedicated thread, but it's more how it's expressed.

All the best to the A1 thread(s).

philwrig wrote:

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Didn't Evo sign up with the French company Lagardere or have I missed something ?

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 Thats correct A1 is not managing Evo but he has agreed to agreed to play for The A1 Pharmaceuticals tennis academy in the premier ( National indoors ) Doubles tournament . The event organiser is very pleased that we are helping bring Evo to the event .

The tournament founder & director is mike Dixon who is one of the unsung heroes of GB mens team tennis and A1 Pharmaceuticals plc are a proud sponsor of his unique Event that mike has struggled and persevered with over many years 

We feel it's important that such events are supported as they can be an important source of funding particularly futures players they also help keep GB ATP players supporting GB team events instead of being lost to french & German club league 

Our A1 national indoors squad includes Marcus willis ( captain ) , Lewis Burton , Dan Evans & Rob carter . 

A 5th player is yet to be announced . 

The finals are in Sunderland end of march 2014 . 

Marcus Willis has first session with new fitness coach Ricky Ingram at DL Beckenham this afternoon , ricky has worked with several England rugby union players & we are excited to be working with him