Interesting John, yes I see your point with associations.
The idea was so that each 'zone' would enable more players online at the time of your matches, with matches being played at certain resonable times, but with assoc having managers from different time zones would require different approach.

My assoc has players from UK so we are online about the same time, but I access the site anywhere between 6am and 2am (20 hour spread) but would appreciate games to be played at certain resonable times (not when I'm sleeping)