Country forums and the Sanctuary rule

[admin]

Hi one and all,

One of the unique features of this board is the so-called Sanctuary concept which operates on the Country (National) forums only. I'd like your views on whether you are aware of the concept, whether you fully understand it, whether you agree or disagree with it, what you think are the advantages and disadvantages, whether you'd like to get rid of it, keep it in its current form or change it. This is your chance to have a say on an important board issue that effects the tone of the board and how guests and potential members may regard it. Is the sanctuary concept having a positive, negative or neutral effect on the board? In your profile, you can nominate your favourite team or teams. How does this tie in with the Sanctuary concept? Should everyone state a team or can they leave it blank? How are members regarded if they have not nominated a team?

[Zainub]

Good question Mike.

Personally I think everyone (down in the bottom of their hearts some where) do have one team they really like do see doing well. And that is why I think people who say we don't support anyone, are lying to them selves, but then, every one has the right to their own opinions, so I totally respect what people say about who they support. But I'm more comfortable with people letting everyone know who they support. For my money, new and existing members should be encouraged to nominate a fav team (because that helps other people understand and respect the sanctuary concept) but it should in the end remain optional - if someone doesn't what to do that, they shouldn't be forced.

On the whole concept of team forums being sanctuaries for the supporters of that particular team, I would say I'm in favor of it. If there was no sanctuary concept team forums would become more vulnerable to dliberate wind up posts, especially from oppositions fans. I would think having a neutral forum (which we do have in the form of the Say Something Series forum) does give enough opportunity to fans from all parts of the world to discuss a certain topic freely in a positive manner so team forums should be left alone as sanctuaries as they are right now. I'm comfortable with that. I do think though, that sometimes new members don't understand it right from the start, and to admit it I have been guilty of breaking a few rules my self even in that respect, but once they start getting use to environment here, most people get the point behind it, and respect and also abide by it too.

[vvvrulz]

I'll keep it brief, but I also am in favour of it. It helps to narrow down areas of support far easier, and most fans do indeed have one team in their heart. For me, it works very nicely.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

i think it is a good idea and makes for a unique atmosphere on the board. a fresh idea and good to see. keep up the good work admins and mods of the forum.

[Occasional Fan]

I'm with Zainub on this one (except as it relates to the Aussies, of course: it should always be open season for them)

[Seamer]

I think the sanctuary rule is good and should not only be kept, but should be compulsary.But i believe that all members should nominate one team and one team only. For example, if i want to give England a hard time (no offence admin - i am an aussie after all) i could easily nominate England as my second team which would give me free reign to go into the English forum and start stirring them up.That is against the spirit of this forum and i would never do that. Recently, a certain member which claims Australia is his second team came into the Australian forum and said he hoped England gave the Aussies a flogging in the next Ashes. No true born and bred Aussie would say that - its treasonous. This particular member has also said a few other remarks about Australia which could be considered inflammitory. If this member could only choose one team, he would be forced to choose the country where his true loyalty lies and would be forced to obey the sanctuary rule when entering our forum. The current system is being abused by some and i hope my point is given consideration by the good people in admin

[Occasional Fan]

Seamer - you know, I hope, that I was only winding you up with the comment above? (Actually it was aimed at Beny, but he's obviously given it the swerve.) Wouldn't dream of putting a real wind up post in the Aussie forum - got the knuckles rapped for that once before!

[admin]

Hi Seamer, you raise a valid point that should muliple teams be selected in My Team/s it must be clear to everyone that your allegiance is equally divided between the teams and you shouldn't say something that contradicts this. For example, by choosing both Australia and England you are saying that you support both teams equally. You can't contradict that by saying "I hope England beats Australia".

As this is an important point, I've added another paragraph to the Message to Guests for clarification:

If you choose multiple teams then your allegiance must be equally divided between those teams. For example, if you choose England and Australia then it would be inappropriate to say on the Australia forum "I hope England beats Australia." This obviously suggests your true allegiance is to England and not equally divided between both teams as you indicated.

[admin]

Hi OF, just wondering whether you think the sanctuary rule is unfair on people who like to tease each other with provocative comments and if so, how it can be effectively moderated so that others aren't encouraged to post real windups?

[Ernest]

Zainub Rasvi got over this by saying her team was "Pakistan", with a soft spot for "England".

She has made it clear that Pakistan is the team she supports.