Mixed Pro Division Qualification & Changes Update
This update will address three main topics regarding the new Mixed Pro division format.
1. Mixed Division Changes
After receiving feedback on the lack of Mixed divisions being offered at Challenger events, we have decided to create a point distribution system for the Mixed division that allows you to earn points at Challengers and at Majors. By offering obtainable points at Challengers and Majors, we hope to incentivize more participation in Mixed.
The new Mixed points system will be updated on tournaments.spikeball.com and on Fwango at the end of the week.
2. Mixed Pro Division Qualification at the Championship
The Mixed Pro Division at the Championship will be made up of four, four-person squads.
Three of those squads will be qualified from the Mixed points race, organically. The fourth squad is reserved for a dedicated European squad, which will be determined by the European Roundnet Association and the ETS events.
Teams of two will have the opportunity to earn points in Mixed Advanced 4.5+ at Challengers, Mixed Advanced 4.5+ at Majors, and Mixed Advanced 5.0+ at Majors.
For the Mixed Advanced 5.0+ division at Majors, points will be awarded to both pairs equally. As an example, both pairs on the team of four that wins The Richmond Major will earn the same amount of points.
Following the final Challenger in Dallas, we will rank pairs based on points from their top three results. The top three finishing pairs will automatically qualify for the Mixed Pro division at the Championship.
The top three pairs will have the opportunity to choose another pair to join their team, thus creating three, four-person teams. The #1 seed has the opportunity to select first, followed by the #2 seed, then the #3 seed.
Guidelines for picking pairs
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The pair that is picked MUST have played in at least one Major in the Mixed Advanced 5.0+ division together.
- The team that is picking a pair DOES NOT have to have played with the picked pair before.
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Any of the qualified pairs CAN pick another qualified pair.
- For example: The #1 ranked team wants to play with the #3 ranked team, they can select them as their pair.
- Pairs ARE allowed to decline a pick. In this scenario, if the #3 team does not want to compete with the #1 team, they can decline the pick and the #1 ranked team will have to pick a different pair.
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If for whatever reason, the #1 ranked team cannot find a pair to compete with within the given timeline (TBD), their qualification spot will drop down to the next ranked team etc.
- In this scenario, the qualification spot of the #3 ranked team would drop down to the #4 pair, etc.
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The list of teams that are allowed to be picked from will consist of the top 16 pairs. This will ensure that the teams that are allowed to be picked are committed to competing in Mixed Roundnet competition, and are athletes that have been competing all season in Mixed Roundnet events.
- Exceptions may be granted by the Spikeball Tour Series on a case-by-case basis. Requests can be sent to tournaments@spikeball.com.
- In the event of a tie in points, we will take into consideration points from a pair's fourth result as a team, extending to the fifth result, and so on.
- The pair selection process will happen after the European qualification spot is secured.
- The European qualification process will be based upon EURA rankings and the top two ranked Mixed teams will get the opportunity to form the four-person European squad. This will happen after the ETS Championship.
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European pairs are allowed to decline the EURA selection if they think that they will be selected to pair with one of the other qualified pairs.
- In this scenario, the qualification spot will drop to the next ranked European Mixed team in order to fill the 4th qualification spot that is dedicated for European representation.
3. Other Notes About Mixed Roundnet & The Spikeball Tour Series
We have received several questions about whether the Mixed Pro 5.0+ Division is replacing traditional Mixed Divisions at Majors. The answer is no.
We will continue to offer Mixed Intermediate 2.0-4.0 and Mixed Advanced 4.5+ at Majors as well as Challengers for any players that prefer traditional, two-person team Mixed roundnet competition.
As it is always our goal to be as transparent as possible with the roundnet community, we wanted to share some additional thoughts on our expectations for the Mixed Pro 5.0+ Division.
Our aim is to get at least four, four-person teams to participate in the three 2024 Majors. We understand that the amount of available players in the US and Canada is lower than we would hope.
We hope that this division will offer a place for the top level Mixed Roundnet players to enjoy a new, refreshing, and focused playing experience at our marquee events in 2024.
Another goal of this format is to elevate the best Mixed players in the world and give fans a new and exciting way to watch the top level of Mixed play in the sport, as we've seen how squad formats can bring a new level of stakes and excitement to the sport.
There are always challenges that come with change and the reality of where the sport of roundnet is in 2024 is that most things are attempting to serve several different goals with limiting factors such as tight budgets, limited time, few resources, and little man-power.
We appreciate the patience and grace that the roundnet community has given to the Spikeball Tour Series over the past few years and we look forward to building the next great global sport with all of you!
As always, we welcome all feedback and ideas on how to make improvements to the tour series! Please direct any and all feedback and questions to tournaments@spikeball.com.