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Post by joegould on Nov 30, 2013 18:53:18 GMT -5
I see 0 chance the OAA has any kind of good participationl for the upcoming season. Maybe I'll be proven wrong.
Joanne, do you think the OAA will have an adequate circuit season?
Just wondering, are you still in the executive?
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Post by joanne124 on Nov 30, 2013 19:13:06 GMT -5
Yes I am still on the Executive. I believe that it is each individual's responsibility to ensure that the circuit tournaments are well attended. I throw back this question to everyone.... "What are you prepared to do in order to ensure that the circuit tournaments are going to be a success this coming season as scheduled?" It does not have to be a throw of the dice, while everyone sits on the sidelines "to see what happens". Again I stress the importance of being proactive.
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Post by joegould on Nov 30, 2013 19:29:34 GMT -5
Best of luck!
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Post by allenthehitmanford on Nov 30, 2013 21:05:02 GMT -5
Wow. I am starting to think I am going to be too old to Armwrestle at a truly competitive level by the time arm wrestling Federation gets their crap together. This is World, Canadian and Provincially.
I believe that in the next few years the sport is going to change drastically. If the armwrestling federations are unable to listen to what the pullers want and change with the times to organize this sport to keep up with or even lead us into the future of the sport, then it has failed!!
I've been waiting too long for this sport and its' pullers to get the recognition they truly deserve!!
We need a president that is going to listen to all of us and promote positive changes within the federations. Joey, are you the man for the job? I sure hope so cause until I see some positive changes I won't be competing at Provincials, Nationals or Worlds. I'm sorry but it costs way too much and has very little benefits for the competitors. Also there are too many higher profile tournaments with much more benefit to waste my time elsewhere.
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Post by Rick Pinkney on Dec 1, 2013 19:48:02 GMT -5
What do you want to see at Nationals to make it worth your while?
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Post by allenthehitmanford on Dec 1, 2013 23:25:38 GMT -5
What do you want to see at Nationals to make it worth your while? Rick I just think that for the amount of money people fork out to compete at these tournaments they get very little. I mean yes you get a very nice metal or trophy. You get to compete against "some" of the best. But that's about it. Unless you want to travel to the location where the tournament is being held for other reasons them that's it. These tournaments should be televised and results mentioned on some of the sports networks. The athletes should be able to have something to offer sponsors. As it is now, (as far as I know) we are not even allowed to put sponsors names on our competition shirts. Also when I compete at the provincials nationals or worlds and I win I should be able to truly say I am the best. Not just the best out of who showed up that day. Now I know that is partly responsibility of the competitors to show up but I think it's primarily the responsibility of the arm wrestling federations to make it an event that draws everyone out. Makes them want to come and compete! There's no reason why the arm wrestling federations can't go in the same direction as leagues like UAL, NAL, PAL or Arm Wars! It would mean quite a few things would need to change but I believe it would be for the better. To bring this sport into the mainstream. There's no reason that I can see why this can't happen. Actually the arm wrestling federations would have a lot more pull than some of these leagues. Just for clarification I don't think this is any one person's fault or responsibility. But I as well as many others would like to see that were taking steps in that direction. Every year we should be one step closer to something bigger and better. Not this taking steps backwards and spinning our wheels. It's just really frustrating for me after 20+ years of armwrestling the sport doesn't seem to be any closer to anything mainstream. Unfortunately these armwrestling leagues seem to be the only ones taking steps in the right direction. |
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Post by Rick Pinkney on Dec 2, 2013 5:27:00 GMT -5
Allen, I agree 100%. Hopefully these changes that I want to make will be a step in the right direction. Cutting expenses will allow the promoter to offer better awards. We can't force people to show up. However if we offer pullers a great product they will want to be there. The way the World's was run was a real eye opener for me as to what we can and should do to produce a better product.
As far as I know there is no rule against having sponsors on your shirts unless it is an Ontario rule. If I am wrong let me know and I will bring it up to change it.
I hope that everyone will come out next year in Charlottetown to show support for these changes. I will be working with Pat and Charlie on this competition. If there is something anyone thinks would help improve the tournament let me know.
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Windover
Local Muscle
Pin or die trying!!
Posts: 198
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Post by Windover on Dec 2, 2013 8:55:55 GMT -5
It is always interesting to me when I see a handful of individuals voicing concerns, and when changes are not made in the direction they see fit, one individual becomes responsible for all of the current issues and the cause of the problem. Perhaps everyone who has ever been part of the executive in the past can take a moment to look at their own part they played at that level, and honestly take responsibility for what they did...was it self serving? Was it for the for the greater good? Was everyone in Ontario heard or represented? And maybe look a little deeper to ask themselves who were they representing....the majority? My interest and passion in this sport has spanned over 28 years. I find it disheartening when there appears to be such conflict and division within our own province...and for what....because of personality issues? Really? I question the purpose of this message board. This would be a great venue for people to be proactive in helping the sport move forward. I would never tell anyone outside of this sport or anyone new to this sport to come here. If this message board was my first look or exposure to this sport, I am quite certain that I would not have wanted to be a part of it, as this would not have attracted me. It would almost seem like I'm watching bullying in the adult world. Instead of focussing on what no one agrees on, what if a different approach were taken....let's say, for example....making a list of what you all agreed on or how to attract more people to this sport...just something that is more proactive. There are many Ontario pullers that will never voice their opinion on this board or on any other level. There are actually some that are in this sport because they want to have fun! To all those who spend the majority of your time complaining about what you don't like, how about remembering what got you into this sport in the first place! No matter who the leader is in any organization or group, there will always be conflict. It would be nice to see those who have been around for a while to take a more proactive stand, and support Joey during his term. At the end of the day, everyone thinks they can do better, and in the process try to deflate or tear someone down. Change is easy when it's self imposed...however change is usually met with adversity when it appears imposed upon us. So for those who believe they can do better, how about you prepare yourself for the next election...but in the meantime, Ontario needs you to pull it together and be a part of, not apart from! Joanne I am going to respond in kind to both your posts with this one. Firstly Joey is not the victim here and when he chose to run and use the system the way he did he opened himself up for critisism. No where is it written that I have to back the individual that I did not vote for, especially when they continue to operate in a way that is not with the wishes of the membership. I attend the MAJORITY of tournaments in Ontario, not them all but most, and the general consensus of people since provincials that are unhappy, dissatissfied or outright confused is growing immensly. There were certainly people unhappy with the former exec, that goes with the territory, but for the most part most knew they were attempting to fulfill the majority wishes. At that time they were vocal as well and it was not considered "bullying"? Why is it bullying now? Personally I dont want to see Ontario apart either, but why should "everyone" change for one person, why does that make sense? The proposals put forth to the CAWF are not carved in stone, but it is more of an advancement than has been made in 30 years in just a few months. Does it need tweaking, certainly! Even the best minds need time to make a machine work. But advancement means change, some good some bad. I am sorry if this seems to be an attack on Joey, but he is the one taking his stand. If he goes against the wishes of the majority and VETOs the agenda, who is the bully then? You stated in your other post that we are responsible for the success of the circuit events. I have seen many posts of this sort on the Northeast board and the consensus of the Longterm pullers (20+yrs), is that the armwrestler well is dry. The promoters have used this philosophy to long, and as Allen Ford stated, need to be more proactive themselves in promoting their event so people WANT to attend, not "should" out of duty? Making sure the venue is sufficient, with good reasonable food, accomodation discounts if needed, long travel that flights are looked at for reasonable rates, time of year for travel, so on so forth. With more and more events happening, I agree with Allen, I will attend what works best for me, not the promoter. Also the event itself should be run in a reasonable manner without delays, and with few hiccups. I should not have to stand around for 6 hours to watch a kids class before pulling. I am all for the kids and youth, but with being in a different stage in life, I dont want to weigh in at noon, to pull 6 hours later? In short I dont think people coming up with creative ideas (some good some not as good), is bad for the sport, and all are not going to agree. Then they should state there case of why, so others can either see their point or discuss why they may be wrong. But when there is silence from the Executive except to say they are not going to allow it so to speak, is why the "few" as you say are getting angry. And as I said before, the "few" are more than you think. Please take this respectfully as I am not trying to be a protagonist, but I too do not like bullying. Forgive me if I seem like one, the typed word does not always convey ones true nature. |
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Post by morgan on Dec 2, 2013 20:20:34 GMT -5
Allen, I agree 100%. Hopefully these changes that I want to make will be a step in the right direction. Cutting expenses will allow the promoter to offer better awards. We can't force people to show up. However if we offer pullers a great product they will want to be there. The way the World's was run was a real eye opener for me as to what we can and should do to produce a better product. As far as I know there is no rule against having sponsors on your shirts unless it is an Ontario rule. If I am wrong let me know and I will bring it up to change it. I hope that everyone will come out next year in Charlottetown to show support for these changes. I will be working with Pat and Charlie on this competition. If there is something anyone thinks would help improve the tournament let me know. |
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Post by morgan on Dec 2, 2013 20:23:02 GMT -5
What do you want to see at Nationals to make it worth your while? Rick I just think that for the amount of money people fork out to compete at these tournaments they get very little. I mean yes you get a very nice metal or trophy. You get to compete against "some" of the best. But that's about it. Unless you want to travel to the location where the tournament is being held for other reasons them that's it. These tournaments should be televised and results mentioned on some of the sports networks. The athletes should be able to have something to offer sponsors. As it is now, (as far as I know) we are not even allowed to put sponsors names on our competition shirts. Also when I compete at the provincials nationals or worlds and I win I should be able to truly say I am the best. Not just the best out of who showed up that day. Now I know that is partly responsibility of the competitors to show up but I think it's primarily the responsibility of the arm wrestling federations to make it an event that draws everyone out. Makes them want to come and compete! There's no reason why the arm wrestling federations can't go in the same direction as leagues like UAL, NAL, PAL or Arm Wars! It would mean quite a few things would need to change but I believe it would be for the better. To bring this sport into the mainstream. There's no reason that I can see why this can't happen. Actually the arm wrestling federations would have a lot more pull than some of these leagues. Just for clarification I don't think this is any one person's fault or responsibility. But I as well as many others would like to see that were taking steps in that direction. Every year we should be one step closer to something bigger and better. Not this taking steps backwards and spinning our wheels. It's just really frustrating for me after 20+ years of armwrestling the sport doesn't seem to be any closer to anything mainstream. Unfortunately these armwrestling leagues seem to be the only ones taking steps in the right direction. |
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