US Squash is pleased to announce the introduction of a Gold, Silver and Bronze tournament system for the 2005-06 season. Formerly known as FutureStars tournaments, Silver and Bronze events will be introduced for the 2005-2006 season. This three-tiered approach is being developed to appeal to the most elite player and to also attract a growing novice contingency looking for a competitive match. These new tournament levels are intended to promote play, and over time the Bronze/Silver player will likely place out of one level and move on to the next with a feeling of accomplishment.
Gold tournaments are equivalent to the current Open tournaments where all levels of play would compete. Silver tournaments are open to any player ranked #33 or below in the age group they are applying to play as of the evening of the entry deadline. Bronze tournaments are open to players ranked #65 or below (or not ranked). A tournament win at the Silver/Bronze level does not preclude that player from continuing to play at that tournament level, as long as the ranking qualification holds.
Players are allowed to "play up" age groups, abiding to the ranking constraints described above, but only into Gold or Silver tournaments. Players may not play up into a Bronze tournament. When playing up into a Silver tournament, a player must make sure that their rating is appropriate (not above) that age group's top rating in the Silver group (ultimately, the responsibility of tournament director).
Early in the season, rankings will be published so players know where they stand in their new age groups. These limitations are meant to avoid discouraging situations, especially for the teen novice player.
At the U11 level, since there are no rankings, only players that are not ranked in any U13 category may play the Bronze U11 tournaments. Also, so the U11s feel recognition, they could now be in the rankings in alphabetical order in the top tournament category they have played, to encourage and track their progression.
Tournament Directors have the discretion to call a Gold tournament an "Open" to sound more inviting, as long as the literature makes it clear that it is a Gold. Also, tournament directors may create separate Gold, Silver and Bronze draws in the same tournament - while a player can request a specific division to play, the Tournament Director can assign players to the draw that makes most sense and can combine draws if not enough players.
All matches will count the same in the RailStation ranking calculations. In the 2005-2006 season, there will be separate Gold and Silver US Championships (Nationals), with the expectation of introducing a Bronze Championship the following season.