Matrix draws are useful when a pre-existing draw format is required that doesn’t follow the algorithm path of SKED’s automated draws. Matrices can be generated in SKED’s Phase Settings, or imported from another source, and can be exported and shared with another SKED organisation. A matrix can be re-used for grades with the same number of teams, where there’s a requirement for clubs to follow the same home/away path.
Note: Playoff, crossover, and repeat/reverse phases can be created as subsequent phases of a matrix phase, but cannot be created or saved as a matrix.
1. In Phase Settings > Draw Type select Matrix.
2. Select the radio button next to an existing matrix, or click + Add Matrix to create or import a new one.
Manually create a matrix draw
1. After clicking + Add Matrix, click Generate to create a matrix based on the number of Teams and Rounds you select.
2. Modify the home/Away placements as required.
3. Enter a Name for the matrix and Save.
Import an existing matrix draw
After clicking + Add Matrix, click Import to select a pre-prepared CSV matrix. The file must have four columns, with the first row reserved for headings (for example, Fixture, Round, Home, and Away) - don’t include fixture details in row 1.
Enter a Name for the matrix, then click Save.
Generating a matrix draw
Once matrix settings have been saved and dates added in Phase Settings, click Save.
Seeding the teams assigns each team to its required position in the matrix. Click + Add Seeding, then either add a ranking to each team or use the drag handles to position teams as needed to align with the chosen matrix. By default, clicking + Add Seeding opens both the matrix and the seeding box side by side, so you can see both while positioning teams.
Add teams to the relevant section or sections. When the draw is generated, fixtures will follow the pattern of the selected matrix.
Note: If there are multiple sections in a grade, sections can follow different matrices by modifying Phase Settings before the draw is generated for each section.
If all sections follow the same matrix, each team’s position in the matrix is based on the numerical value that aligns with the matrix pattern when the draw is generated. For example, Section A with seeds 1, 6, 7, and 12 would be equivalent to Section B with seeds 2, 5, 8, and 11, and both sections can be generated with the same four-team matrix: seed 1 is positioned where 1 appears in the matrix, seed 6 where 2 appears, seed 7 where 3 appears, and seed 12 where 4 appears.
Exporting and copying a matrix
- In Phase Settings, with Draw Type set to Matrix, click the settings cog icon.
- Select Export to create a CSV document, which can be saved and imported by another SKED user. Alternatively, select Copy to duplicate the matrix - you’ll need to enter a new name before updating and saving it.
Creating a matrix from a pre-existing draw
To view how a previous draw can be converted to a matrix for further use in future seasons, Click here.
Editing a matrix
Click the settings cog to update the name and modify the home and away teams for each round, then click Save.
Clash validation
Clash validation on a matrix draw checks for venue booking errors and for a team being scheduled to play at the same time on the same date. It won’t, however, check for missing teams or teams playing more than once.
See more: