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Post by Jeff Kaye on Jul 13, 2011 11:49:04 GMT -5
I think something should be brought up about circuit/santioned events, maybe these tourny's should be spread out through out ontario. Ontario is a very huge place , and seems to be lacking in north/western regions of or HUGE province. I feel that maybe these tournaments should be altered to diffrnt cities a parts of ontario every yr. It cost alot of money for these regions to continue to travell to the southeastern regions of ontario, to compete at the top. I would also like to see the provintials in diffrnt region every yr as well, because simply it will be in the east every yr do to the lack of voting power, maybe we can have it so its in a diffrnt region every yr..kinda like the the nationals are in a diffrt province every yr...we have a ton of unseen talent in this province due to travelling costs ect ect . Again ontario is a very huge place and the OAA dont seem to get to alot of these regions. Back in day ontario armwrestling, was in ALL of ontario not just certain locations/regions,and all pullers supported them..
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Post by Jay Riehle on Jul 13, 2011 13:01:13 GMT -5
You are right Jeff there is a lot of good talent up there. When we went up to North Bay this year there was all kinds of really good pullers of all ages too some as young as 11 yrs old. These people want to pull!!!!! Problem is there is nowhere to pull. I for one would love to make it up to the tourney's you hold up there but just hasn't worked out as of late. But what you and Tanya and John are doing is great and of course Big Luke but your right you do need more exposure & I would love to see some more Tourney's up that way.
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Post by Eric Roussin on Jul 13, 2011 14:20:09 GMT -5
Ontario is a large province. Northern Ontario accounts for almost 80% of the province’s land area, but only for about 5% of the province’s total population. This causes some logistical difficulties. I think there’s plenty of room for more sanctioned OAA tournaments to be held in the area. By this I mean tournaments that use standard weight classes, CAWF rules, and have certified referees. An OAA sanctioned event simply means that it is a tournament that is recognized by the OAA as meeting certain basic requirements. Many of the tournaments run by Jeff, Tanya, etc. could easily be sanctioned if they would like them to be. Once sanctioned, they can be actively promoted on the OAA website. There are plenty of carnivals/fairs held in Northern Ontario that could benefit from an armwrestling tournament.
Currently there are five OAA circuit sanctioned events held in different parts of the province throughout the year, plus Provincial Championships which move around. These are the tournaments that count for points. There is one in Eastern Ontario, one in Central Ontario, one in Western Ontario, one in Southern Ontario, and one in Northern Ontario. The Northern Ontario event has been held in North Bay for several years. I realize North Bay is really only the gateway to Northern Ontario, and is still far away from places like Thunder Bay. The circuit sanctioned events are often held in the same locations from year to year, because oftentimes no other promoter expresses interest in hosting one. Events only take place if someone is willing to put one on. I think it would be best if locations changed from year to year, but the reality is that there just aren’t that many interested promoters right now.
There are no plans to add additional OAA circuit sanctioned events in Northern Ontario. Right now, the North Bay event is close enough to draw pullers from the other regions. If it went to Sudbury it would probably still have a decent draw. If it went to Timmins or further, attendance from other regions would drop sharply. Is this a problem? Maybe, maybe not, depending on your perspective.
Rather than increasing the number of OAA circuit sanctioned events, if there is enough interest, why not create a Northern Ontario circuit? The tournaments held in Thunder Bay, Kapuskasing, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, etc. could all count for points for this circuit, and the events could still be associated with the OAA. Joe’s Arm Melter tournaments can serve as an example. His events are sanctioned by the OAA, but when they started he also had a points system in place and I think there was an Arm Melter Puller of the Year. I don’t think there’s anything stopping the growth of armwrestling in the North as long as there are a few promoters willing to put on events and a core group of pullers willing to travel to compete. If there is interest in making this a reality, I’d love to see it happen.
As for Provincials, there are currently a few limitations. I definitely agree that the Provincials should not be held in back-to-back regions in different years. However, there aren’t always many promoters interested in holding the Provincials. Only two different locations are up for consideration for the 2012 Provincials, and I had to do some outreaching to get these. A tournament can’t be held in different parts of the province every year if there is no one to put them on. I’ve travelled to different places to run events, routinely up to two hours away from where I live, and on a couple of occasions over five hours away. I know that organizing an event in a location far away from where you live can be considerably more difficult.
Also, the location of Provincials is currently decided on by vote at the OAA Annual General Meeting. This will always result in some regional bias, as most people will tend to vote for whatever option is closest for them. I wanted to change this a few years ago and have the Executive select the location to ensure that the tournament would move around the province, but at the time I was informed that this could not be done.
Lastly, even if more circuit sanctioned events were held in different parts of Northern Ontario, there is no guarantee that many pullers from the southern part of the province would attend. With a decent number of tournaments to choose from, many pullers will select to pull in the tournaments that are closest to them.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2011 14:38:28 GMT -5
I like jeff am not happy. I think way too many events are located way too far WEST. I think most sanctioned OAA events should be pushed towards the EAST... Such as Cornwall, Hawksbury and any other small town within 5 to 30km of the Quebec Border. I'm just sayin.
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Post by Eric Roussin on Jul 13, 2011 14:45:52 GMT -5
Raffles and 50/50 draws at OAA events could be easy ways to raise additional funds for the OAA. Perhaps these types of activities could be organized at the tournament directors' discretion.
Who should benefit from these additional incentives? Currently, the following individuals receive either cash or free entries to Nationals:
Puller of the Year (Male and Female) - $200 each
Team of the Year - $300
Ironman - $200
Competitors who compete in four circuit events, plus Provincials - one free Nationals entry
Competitors who compete in five circuit events, plus Provincials - two free Nationals entries
1st place winners at Provincials - one free Nationals entry
Who else should be rewarded? Top 5 pullers of the year? Top three finishers at Provincials?
What do you think is better -- small incentives for many pullers (e.g. a free Nationals entry), or big incentives for only a few pullers (e.g. free trips to Nationals).
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Post by Jay Riehle on Jul 14, 2011 7:41:47 GMT -5
How about Worlds?  Is there anything we can or do do for our National Champs here in Ontario?? I realize that with varing locations comes varying travel costs but definatly would be benefical to perhaps supplement these costs with say 1 nights accomadation in said country??? Just to ease the overall cost of these champs travelling to represent Canada. Also for team of year I like to see that award bumped back up to not only an armwrestling table, but how 'bout A WINDOVER TABLE!!!!!! What better way to award the team of the year then to award them with what is ever essential to the sport, what every team needs. I mean even if they have a table, how could you have too many tables? & I am sure Guy could customize them to display say a team logo or banner much like Joe's or Mike's. I think that would be sick. & with more and more animosity between teams I think this would be an awesome points race next year. (HAMMER THE HAVOC!!!!!) LOL. AND LET THE KIDS PULL FOR FREE!!!!!!! Eric you have done an impecable job promoting this sport beloved by all in Ontario and beyond. If it has to do with promoting the sport of armwrestling as a whole, count me in!!!!. |
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Post by Eric Roussin on Jul 14, 2011 8:29:19 GMT -5
I think it should be relatively easy to help out in some way Ontario pullers attending Worlds. Perhaps paying their entry fees as a start? This shouldn't strain the OAA bank account too much.
As far as a Windover table for team of the year, I agree it would be an awesome prize. However, this carries a greater expense (quality costs money) and would also require a significant time commitment from Guy.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 11:27:49 GMT -5
^^^^ I am sure we could work something out. We can discuss. Animosity between teams??? Seems to me only a few individuals think the world is out to get them. Disagreements dont necessarily mean animosity. People take things way to personal and need to get a life sometimes. I would love to hit EVERY tournament out there, but alas, it cannot happen. If I am going to travel, and I can only do it so often with my work commitment I sometimes choose to travel south of the border to pull people I have never pulled and expand my knowledge. Is that bad? Buckhorn does its best to hit the majority of tourneys in Ontario as does other teams that I have seen. It doesnt mean we can hit them all. Nor can anyone else. We have hit most team practices except the Western teams and have been met with the utmost respect and hospitality. I plan to hit a big Western one at some point as well, but with so many weekends gone hitting tournaments my wife is already rolling her eyes at the time committment I have placed on this sport. There is life as well. I have plans to hit a Northern tourney or four in the future as well, but it doesnt mean when one happens that it does not conflict with work or weddings or family functions or just plain honeydo list. My travelling generally is configured around all these items and has to coincide with my non busy seasons which seem to be disappearing as well, as Cidyots are moving into my area to settle more frequently. I am looking forward to Provincials and Nationals this year with GREAT expectations and excitement. I am putting my animosity toward Manjin,Gobby The Promise and Jeff Slater aside for now and hope to tolerate them long enough to enjoy these two weekends. I suggest you all do the same. |
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Post by Jay Riehle on Jul 14, 2011 13:07:06 GMT -5
Guy by animosity I meant i.e. Hammer the Havoc!!!!!! Much like pulling with the Sadness etc. etc. We're all very hungry and want that top spot that why I thnk it would be an epic race to the top if say the Team of the Year prize was a prestigous Windover Table. If there was any seriousness or insult taken by my remarks then my apologies. I meant absoulutly no harm. We're all friends here in the west & Guy you are more then welcome out this way anytime by anyone of us i am sure. & that goes for any other team or individual that happens to be in the area. See you guys on Saturday!!!!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2011 15:15:08 GMT -5
Haha no worries Jay, not really who I was talking to. Just used your word "animosity". I love the way you and Janet have jumped back into this with such fervor. That is the epitomy of armwrestling. Dive in and make it happen. Drive everywhere to get better. Thats armwrestling. Pull anyone no matter what weight difference or experience, thats armwrestling. I love this sport and the people in it!!! Well except those previously mentioned!!
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Post by Jay Riehle on Jul 15, 2011 10:43:11 GMT -5
Thank you for the kind words Guy, Janet & I are here to stay for a very long time. Kinda funny actually, Janet and I were asked recently why we don't go on a trip somewhere as we've been together now for 10 yrs. I replied, "We go on a trip together every month". "Oh?" the lady replied. I said, "Sure do, we travel the province together going armwrestling!!!!" To some this might not seem like much of a "Trip" or "Vacation" but for us it's a perfect way to get away from it all for weekend and just relax. I too have a passion for this sport even though I get smashed d**n near everytime. I'm a addict. I can't sleep thnking about it. When I'm not working out or pulling I'm on here or watching videos on the internet of pulling. I can't stop it's a need for me lol. Armwrestling has really changed my life I've lost 60lbs a quit smoking on my conquest to get better and be damned if I'm not going to do just that.
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Post by John Milne on Jul 15, 2011 16:05:36 GMT -5
That's awesome Jay
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Post by Rick Heidebrecht on Jul 15, 2011 18:15:19 GMT -5
Eric, just to be clear, I wasn't talking about raffles at the tournaments. I'm asking, would people be interested in selling raffle tickets to friends/co-workers/family, perhaps during the month of June, and then the winning ticket is drawn at Provincials? Something like a $250-$500 gift card, to a place like Future Shop, for a grand prize? This could be in addition to Jason's idea for raffling off prizes at each and every OAA tournament, which I also like. As far as what do with the money, I agree with Jason, puller incentives! If the money is there, then instead of just paying entry fees, I think the OAA should pay $500 to offset the cost of traveling to Nationals, to the winner of each open class at Provincials (so potentially $1000 if you win both arms). I would also say that the puller of the year deserves $500 towards Nationals, as well as including everybody who is an OAA member in a wild-card draw for another $500. I also like the idea of entering all registered teams in a draw once a year for a Windover table... with the caveat that your team can only win once. That way, all teams will eventually have very nice tables to train on, provided Guy has enough good years left in him  edit: Gerald makes very nice tables too, and shouldn't be overlooked as an official supplier to the OAA... I just saw a chance to take a shot at Guy... |
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Post by Eric Roussin on Jul 15, 2011 20:07:14 GMT -5
This is an ambitious incentive plan! I agree it would be great to be able to give out these incentives, but it would require an additional $7,000 to $8,000 in the OAA annual budget. I'm not sure how many people would be interested in the leg work to sell raffle tickets, but it's an idea to explore.
A decision would also need to be made regarding how the incentives should be targeted. Giving the bulk of the incentives to the first place winners at Provincials will certainly help get a strong team to Nationals every year. However, maybe those doing the fundraising would be more motivated if the incentives reached more people (maybe $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd, and $100 for 3rd).
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Is there anything we can or do do for our National Champs here in Ontario?? I realize that with varing locations comes varying travel costs but definatly would be benefical to perhaps supplement these costs with say 1 nights accomadation in said country??? Just to ease the overall cost of these champs travelling to represent Canada. 
