Although the waterpolo season is at the moment in sleep mode, news about the sport in the colder months is not uncommon.
It is the time when think tanks bring new ideas which could lead to changes especially in com-petition rules.
One such change relates to the league format which after several seasons with a preliminary round will now be discarded. As from next year, the Premier League will be played over three rounds.
Another important change is that the play-offs, introduced two years ago and which have given rise to some crticism from different quarters, have also been scrapped.
Meanwhile, applications by clubs to participate in the top league and the knock-out are to be submitted to the ASA by not later than January 4.
If more than five clubs apply preference for Premier League slots will be given to the top five-placed teams in the next Winter League.
The lower division will also have five teams playing three rounds since Marsaxlokk, who did not compete last season, are expected to be the additional participants.
The knock-out competitions for both divisions will be spread out during the season until mid-August, although this has to be confirmed.
In any case, the finals will be played before the end of the respective leagues.
It has not yet been decided whether the double-leg system will be maintained for the knock-out.
This is dependent on the fixtures calendar of the new season.
The ASA is right in monitoring the situation and any new proposal in the competition rules must be seen in the light of boosting the quality of the local players and at the same time render the game more appealing to them and to the public.
Constant updates
The association will do well to keep the followers of waterpolo constantly updated with what is happening.
There should be timely official notification as to certain important decisions rather than leaks.
There should be no room for hearsay at a time when instant communication on websites is a vital medium of information.
Apart from a circular dated December 9, nothing had been uploaded on the ASA site since the third week in September.
Neither has there been any official communication about the Player of the Year winner – although this has been an open secret since many weeks ago – and this when the summer season has long been consigned to history.
The ASA needs no reminding that regular notification to the public about its activities is of paramount importance.
Lack of this is detrimental to its prestige.