Current Process
Each August, a spreadsheet is exported for each district, detailing the current season's open events. Districts then use various methods to compile their calendar for the next season:
- Email Application Forms: Some districts email clubs requesting submission of open event application forms for the upcoming season.
- Spreadsheet Updates: Others update the existing spreadsheet with dates moved forward and share it via Google Drive for event secretaries to update.
- Direct Spreadsheet Submission: One district sends the entire spreadsheet to event secretaries, who update and return it with details for the next season.
Proposed events are approved at a date-fixing meeting, where dates may be adjusted. The final spreadsheet is submitted to National by mid-November. National then enters the events into the legacy system, and districts verify the details. Events are published in January via a bulk SQL update.
Process for 2025 Open Events
The new platform introduces a streamlined process:
- Export District Events: Global admins can export a spreadsheet of planned 2024 events for each district. These spreadsheets, along with a revised open event application form, will be sent to districts.
- District Options:
- Continue compiling a spreadsheet and submit it to National for data input.
- Wait until September, when they will gain access to the new platform for compiling and approving the 2025 calendar.
New Platform Functionality
- Bulk Copy Draft Calendar: A global admin will copy all previous year’s events to the next year, setting each as a draft with the date moved forward by one year; shifted to match day of the week. District users can then amend, submit, or delete these drafts as needed.
- Register New User Account: Users must register a new account. Initially, only district or global admins from the legacy system can register, using their existing email addresses.
- Create Open Event: District officials and global admins can create new events, saving them as drafts or submitting them for approval. Drafts are visible only within the district; submitted events are visible across districts to help avoid date clashes.
- Copy Open Event: District officials and global admins can copy events from the 2024 season, updating details before saving as draft or submitting for approval.
- Event Approval: Once the district finalises their calendar, they should update the event statuses from Awaiting Approval to Approved or Rejected.
- Event Publication: All events start as unpublished. National will review and either publish them or set a future publication date. The 2025 events are expected to be published in January 2025.