Richardson/Spens - what next?

[Keith Rose]

No more changes please

I should point out that most of the suggestions that kicked off this discussion came from a couple of strong Richardson players.

May/June not good for final since many clubs close in April

Fair point, so April must remain.

Going from 16 to 8 is not good since hastens decline of OTB chess.

I don't see why. Wouldn't any teams in excess of 8 just play in the Spens?

what if a new team wanted to join

I think this is very unlikely, given that the tournament is for CS-member clubs and that their teams must consist of bona-fide members. Unlike SNCL which allows hybrid teams (e.g. Dundee City).
Therefore the answer to

how a team would get into the 8

would be by playing in and winning the Spens

Spens ... central venues or regional group tables

Central venues would have cost implications;
regional/group set up - there looks to be an interest in groups for the Richardson so it should work as well in the Spens. If both go to groups and if costs of central venue(s) or regional venues could be covered there could be a mix of Richardson & Spens matches at the same places and times. But back to basics - would other potential Spens teams support regional groups?