Taiwan's Newest Squash League
Taiwan has a new sports league, and what makes this different from other leagues we have had in Taiwan is that it is ratings ( points ) based.
Taiwan has a new sports league, and what makes this different from other leagues we have had in Taiwan is that it is ratings ( points ) based. This is similar, but not exactly the same system used in the United States by Club Locker.
ELO System
The system is based on the ELO rating system. The ELO rating system was originally developed for chess by physicist Arpad Elo. Elo ratings are a way to measure the relative skill of players in games where each competitor either wins or loses, like squash. In the ELO system, each player starts with a rating, based on the grouping that was used in Taiwan. As matches are played, each player's rating changes after every match based on who wins and who loses.
The amount of points gained or lost depends on the relative strength of the opponents, as determined by their ratings. When a higher-rated player defeats a lower-rated opponent, they gain fewer points than if they had beaten someone of equal or superior rating. Conversely, an upset victory by a lower-rated player results in substantial point gains.
Club Locker Model
Taiwan's new league draws inspiration from the successful Club Locker system used in the United States, called USR. The USR rating algorithm was developed for Club Locker and US Squash between 2012 and 2014. What makes the US system particularly effective is its rating methodology. A rating is earned by playing and recording matches on Club Locker. A player needs to win at least one match and lose one match to start a rating. As more matches are recorded, the rating becomes more accurate. The rating scale ranges from 0 to 7.5, with 7.5 representing the best in the world. The Taiwan Points League rating ranges from 100 to 1700.
The Taiwan League
The Taiwan Points league will operate differently, as players are assigned a score initially, and not after playing a few games. I can see three reasons for a bright future for a points-based system in Taiwan.
- Less Time Commitment: Instead of a two-day affair, competitions can be smaller and fit into a Sunday afternoon.
- Smaller Venues Being flexible and being able to hold competitions in small venues with a few courts becomes possible.
- Finding Partners. With a rating, it is easier to find other players around your skill level.
To register, Use this Google form