The HFFL Conundrum

In my time away from the league I have considered my position within it intently. I have had many thoughts. However I decided before withdrawing permanently I should start a discussion within the group to see if we can collectively find solutions that might create a sustainable HFFL that may last the test of time. This is not the case currently and without change it will not last.

Why Everyone Loves the HFFL:

1. It helps us keep in contact with close mates in a way that basically nothing else can/does at this stage of our lives.
2. The competitive enjoyment and strategic playmaking within the greatest fantasy footy comp in existence, carefully cultivated over a long history.

Tasks v Time

Everyone loves the HFFL but everyone is busy. The group wants the HFFL to work but are too busy to put the time into it.

Consequently, the group wants to outsource the time requirement to others, primarily but not exclusively, the Administrator. I am assisted by a small few others in some admin tasks and also in driving improvement in the competition.

The main reason I’ve been prepared to do this in the past is that despite being extremely busy, I prioritise HFFL extremely highly in my life because of the benefits to everyone cited above. However, I’ve recently come to think I may prioritise it too highly.

Key Tasks of the HFFL Administrator

1. To attend to administrative duties to keep the HFFL running in an orderly and smooth fashion
2. As HFFL custodian, to continue to improve it and maintain “Fantasy Footy Excellence”;

I take both duties very seriously.

The Issues for me as Administrator

The Effort Asymmetry has become too extreme

• This one-sided arrangement is becoming increasingly one-sided and less feasible and tenable in light of my life stressors.
• Attempts at task delegation have repeatedly failed with those asked either saying yes and then not delivering or simply saying they are too busy to help.
• Previous “buy-in” by coaches in group discussions about innovations and rule changes has been fading, leaving the work to an increasingly small few, not just me. Others put in effort that goes unrewarded by the group’s lack of “buy in”, sapping desire for further effort. This is an unrewarding “effort” death spiral.
• In addition to not helping with task delegation and reduced “buy in”, many coaches are failing to do the very minimum requested coaching duties which substantially increases my work such as:
  • A) Completing necessary tasks in a timely manner
    e.g. Submitting retentions/delistings, paying fees, team submission, sub requests and voting on rules
  • B) Completing tasks with necessary requested detail and in formats/places required

I seek Fantasy Footy Excellence

• I have extremely high standards for the comp and get offended when they are not maintained and experience angst when they are threatened. I refuse to administrate a “sh*t show”, particularly after we’ve carefully created such a beautiful beast over such a long period.
• I’ll always fiercely defend its integrity and vociferously resist changes that I think will undermine this pursuit of excellence. This leads to confrontation which is mostly great banter but occasionally can get our of hand and be problematic.
  
  

Silence is an all too common and problematic response in the HFFL

• It is ambiguous what silence means and this creates the following issues:
  • A) Not being able to progress important matters. e.g. is silence assent/dissent/don’t care/don’t know?
    It’s entirely unclear and makes progress on discussions, administration and votes very difficult and time consuming.
  • B) The few contributing coaches who actually make extra efforts feel under-appreciated and that their efforts are a waste of time.

Solutions … a way forward?

If folks have ideas about how we can address the above and create a sustainable future for the HFFL, now is the time to contribute. I’d suggest doing so in the whatsapp group rather than here to generate better discussion.