The possibility of an "Invite Only" format maybe the next step for the 8-Man Eligible Pro Division in the World Championships in Las Vegas, NV beginning next March 2010.  The MCFFU and the National Competition Committee are discussing the possibility of formatting the Pro Division for 8-Man Eligible as the "Best of the Best - Invitation Only” division while the Competitive and Recreational Division will both remain open to all.

The purpose of the "Invite Only" format is to identify the countries top 8-Man Eligible teams from across the country with a wide representation of multiple states looking to represent their state and compete against other states in the World Championships; followed by a qualifying process in 2010 (Similar to the current 9v9 circuit).

Understanding that the overall goal of the MCFFU is to create, develop and foster the most competitive flag football circuit in the country, supported by an "Open" circuit for teams building for the next level; the U is looking to create a highly competitive environment for 9v9, 8v8, 7v7, Women and possibly other competitive national styles.

With this approach, the idea is NOT to have the “most” teams in the Pro Division but the “best”.  Complete uniforms, top-skill level players and organization to allow the sport to be successfully promoted outside of its current, withering market.  The failure to attract new players to form new teams has been the major cause of competitive flag football being frozen in a non-productive state that’s literally choking growth off with improper roster control and the failure to implement the necessary changes needed for the game to thrive. 

One of the pressing issues with "Open" tournaments today is the fact that rosters can be expanded at will, easily swallowing up other teams reducing overall numbers as competitive teams push to stack their rosters with top-notch players.  This does nothing for the development of the sport, nor does it allow for new teams to form. 

Without a solid system that controls rosters and roster movement; new teams can never form and the sport will continue not to grow.  Teams with a reputation of winning, will always out bid newer, less competitive teams for premier players.

Should the process be in a controlled environment, new teams can be built without having to restart so often due to key players being pulled away.  Yes, it would mean fewer teams in the Pro Division, but it would provide more quality to the sport and would appeal to more (players, teams and companies looking to support something competitive) like all other competitive sports (Pro or amateur). 

The fact is “Open” tournaments have yet to produce quality over extended periods of time and in most cases numbers have either leveled off or dropped for the most part, leaving tournaments with fewer new competitive teams and a small pool of the same teams competing over and over in an endless cycle. 

The idea of making this year’s 8-Man Eligible Pro Division an “Invite Only” is to jumpstart the new format that will roll into a national qualifying process in 2010.  The Super Series is a prototype of city/state represented teams competing in a highly competitive event in a controlled environment (rosters, uniforms, etc). 

The fact is that tip competitive teams travel the most, but over time the drive to travel is lessoning with each passing event due to the lack of new competition.  Can this format work for competitive flag football or can the game successfully grow with the - anyone can play on the top level approach?

Beginning in 09, the MCFFU will introduce the new 9-Man Ineligible World Championship Format that will consist of teams accumulating points to qualify to compete in the Pro Division of the of the World Championships in Miami, FL. 

Though the tournament will remain an Open Tournament for teams to compete, only a select few will be eligible to compete for the Pro Title.  

Based on the Official MCFFU 9-Man Ineligible Schedule, the top teams at the conclusion of the season (December 2009) will be eligible for the Pro Division in the WC.  The number of spots available have not yet been decided, however it will fall somewhere around 16 teams (Based on the ruling of the Competition Committee). 

This format will provide legitimacy to the World Championships Circuit as well as to the tournaments and directors associated with the MCFFU/USSSA.  Tournaments on the WC Circuit have been strategically selected and/or placed as to not provide multiple local tournaments in a single area/region; the idea is to get teams moving to accumulate their points and balance out the travel requirements among top 9-Man teams. 

The WC Circuit will consist of State Championships, National Invitationals (NIT) and National Championships.  The National Championships will provide teams with the most available points to win ( “Double Points”), and they are: 

• Southern National Championships - Dallas, TX – April 2010
• Norththeastern National Championships - TBA - May 2010
• Eastern National Championships - VA Beach, VA – June 2010
• Southeastern National Championships – Atlanta, GA - August 2010
• Florida National Championships - Tampa, FL - December 2010

At Large Berths:

Teams in regions with limited MCFFU/USSSA Sanctioned Tournaments could however, qualify for an “At Large Berth”, which means they can either move into a slot that was vacated by a qualifying team who failed to register for the WC or be added as an “Add On”, extending the total number of qualifying teams.  

No more that (2) teams may qualify for the “At Large Berths” at any given time.  These teams may also gain admittance into the Pro Division over the last qualifying team based on past experience of both teams accompanied with the lack of regional opportunities  (This will also be decided on by the Competition Committee). 

The new 9-Man WC format now gives teams a yearlong purpose to compete, a reason to keep up with the rankings as well as increasing the overall value of each scheduled event.  No longer will teams be able to sit and wait for the “Big One”, now what you do during the season determines where you play in January.

Pros - Cons:

Depending upon where you stand in the seeding pretty much determines your thoughts on the new format.  Teams that are clear cuts to make the top 16 love the concept, along with teams looking to compete in a balanced pool who feel they are not quite ready for the Pro Division.

Teams that are on the bubble as the deadline approaches all seem to disagree with teams not making the cut due to their yearly performance.  As teams compete on the highest level of competitive flag football; should everyone be grouped together as in the past or does earning your way in mean more?

Why is it that contact flag football has the slowest growth rate of all the flag styles?  Matter of fact, you can go as far as to say that contact flag football is declining each year.  Want proof?

Look at the top contact tournaments across the country; numbers have either stabilized or fallen.  Every new player recruited by a contact team comes from another local team because there are no other sources to pull from.  

Players are literally being recycled from team to team and yet people are looking around for new competition.  New teams are snuffed out before they can get going either by being stripped of their key players, exposed to too much unnecessary physical play or just pushed out of the sport all together with poor sportsmanship. 

In order for the contact division to sustain itself, it must generate new teams yearly.  This comes from new players being introduced to this style and accepting it.  But in order for others outside of the current contact flag community to accept it, it must first appeal to them and that's not happening.  Quit frankly, contact flag football is a sore eye on the game of flag mainly due to its reputation.

The recruiting begins with local leagues embracing new teams and providing the proper environment in which they can flourish; and compared to most Screen leagues, its no contest. 

On the other hand, because of Screen's reputation, securing quality fields and maintaining a steady stream of new players coming into the sport is well above that of Contact.  Screen appeals to a much broader group, while Contact appeals to the same group.

Having poor league environments, overly aggressive play by ill-tempered individuals who fail to separate flag from fantasy and unnecessary injuries, each play a role in the steady decline of Contact participation. 

Looking at the Contact game as a whole, can we honestly say it is as marketable to new players as is 4-Man or Screen?