TGSS Love Letter #1 2020
Welcome to the first love letter for The Great Southern Slam 2020! From here on you can expect a monthly update on all things TGSS. Please bear in mind that it is still early days and there is plenty of work still to be done, so while we have some information for you we’re unable to answer all your burning questions just yet.
Officials!
Firstly, thank you to all the referees and officials who have responded to our registration call out! We are stoked with the response and can’t wait to see you all in June. We do still have spots to fill (in particular, NSOs) so if you’re thinking about joining us on the June long weekend, please fill out the survey and join us at the best roller derby tournament in the universe!
If you apply to officiate on skates,there is a chance you will also be rostered to NSO as well. Please also be aware if you register as an Official you are not eligible to also be a commentator or a member of a tournament team (skater, bench coach, bench manager). This is not because we are big ole meanies who want to spoil peoples’ fun, but because rostering everyone over such a large tournament is a gargantuan task which becomes impossible if people are unavailable due to other commitments.
Leagues, thank you for your responses to the EOI survey!
Every TGSS, we begin the year with news of us outdoing ourselves, creating an even bigger event than those previous. But alas, the Australasian derby landscape is changing and at TGSS, we will always reflect that. It’s likely that TGSS 2020 will be smaller than that of 2018, but make no mistake that we’ll still be the biggest derby tournament of our region. What this does mean though is that this year, we’re working even harder to tighten those divisions to make them more competitive in those first pool rounds. We’re hoping to have people on the edge of their seats from that first crack of dawn game on Saturday!
Sounds brilliant! How does my league get involved?
If you’ve completed an EOI, keep your eyes on your inboxes – first round offers will be coming out this month! From here, the turnaround to accept your offer will be tight, so we can get to sending those second and subsequent round offers. For leagues that completed an EOI for more than one team, first round offers will be for your top priority team. But don’t fret, second round offers will come, and we do expect that further teams may be accommodated. Cross your fingers that we’re left with a hole in the bracket, because we’ll then put a call out for one of the most loved teams in the tourney – Team Potluck!
Challenge bouts will return in 2020 because it just wouldn’t be TGSS without them.
Challenge bouts are available to skaters whose league didn’t register a team in the tournament, and to skaters who are not on their league’s tournament team. Challenge bouts are not available to tournament participants. An EOI for Challenge Bout skaters will go out following first and second round tourney invites.
As always, while we would love to include everyone, TGSS2020 will again focus on WFTDA Roller Derby. This means that the tournament is open to skaters 18+ and will follow the WFTDA gender policy with regards to skater eligibility.
Tickets will continue to be available as weekend passes as well as individual day passes. More information on tickets in the future.
What about sanctioned bouts?
Well, ultimately the decision is YOURS! Just like in 2018 we will offer WFTDA leagues the chance to sanction their bouts, this will only happen if both teams are in agreement. If a team is not comfortable to do this then the bout will not be sanctioned. Our tournament crew will touch base with teams to confirm sanctioning once the brackets are released.
Want to commentate at TGSS2020?
Game on! We’re stoked you want to be a part of it and get involved in calling the action on the track. Head to the registration form to register. Questions? Comments? Hit us up at tgsscommies@adelaiderollerderby.com.
Keen have a stall at TGSS?
We’d love to talk! We have some great opportunities available for you to be a part of our market village. Hit us up at tgssinfo@adelaiderollerderby.com for more information.
Interested in being a sponsor?
We want to hear from you! There are varying levels of sponsorship available including tournament sponsor, officials sponsor, penalty box sponsors, and more! Contact us here for more information: tgsssponsorship@adelaiderollerderby.com.
TGSS after parties have become a thing of legend, and 2020 will not disappoint.
While we don’t want to reveal all our secrets just yet, we can confirm that the afterparty will be onsite at the Adelaide Showgrounds again, and will be chock full of costumes, surprises and the best dance moves south of the equator!
So that’s where we’re at right now. If your league has any questions please send them to tgssinfo@adelaiderollerderby.com and we will respond either to your league directly, or if the question is relevant for all include it in the next monthly love letter.
Let the countdown begin!
Love and bumps,
TGSS Operations Committee & Adelaide Roller Derby