Updated Top Ontario Rankings

[Ashley Maher]

I don't know how many are active but I will throw some names at you and if you can use them then we will have some where to start.
Joey says that quantity of women have been an issue in the sport for about the past 15 years, and before that the women in Ontario ruled the world so to speak..

Here are some names that come to mind;

Ashley M
Linda Degroot
Tamara M
Barb Z
Laura Cook
Heidi Muller
Rene Breton
Tanya M
Shawna from long lac
Joanne L from Ottawa
Lori L from Timmins
Brooke on Don Samples team

Here is 12 maybe not all active or below 143.

Thanks Ashley

[Deleted]

Jan 15, 2012 14:27:18 GMT -5 Ashley Maher said:

I don't know how many are active but I will throw some names at you and if you can use them then we will have some where to start.
Joey says that quantity of women have been an issue in the sport for about the past 15 years, and before that the women in Ontario ruled the world so to speak..

Here are some names that come to mind;

Ashley M
Linda Degroot
Tamara M
Barb Z
Laura Cook
Heidi Muller
Rene Breton
Tanya M
Shawna from long lac
Joanne L from Ottawa
Lori L from Timmins
Brooke on Don Samples team

Here is 12 maybe not all active or below 143.

Thanks Ashley

Nice list! All quality too. If the majority of those women show up at mikes, adding a 143 class could be justified. Thanks for the info.

[John Milne]

If I remember correctly Eric had a list of top 20 pullers in Ontario regardless of weight. What ever happened to that?

It would be fun, although time consuming and argument inciting

A list for Ontario and now Quebec would make for good discussion. I think there are more AW'ers in Que than there used to be so a list like that would be good for stirring the pot.

Just an idea.

[Deleted]

We do have an active top 10 Ontario open women's rankings. I beleive what Ashley is recommending starting a 0-143 class rankings. Adding Quebec female pullers is an option, however Quebec female "active" pullers are few and compete 1-2 times per year. In addition, these women hardly pull outside of Quebec so throwing them in an open rankings class with Ontario would lead to much speculation on where they should be placed.

[John Milne]

I'm not talking about women's rankings.

[Ashley Maher]

I think that regardless of what women show up to Mike Gould Classic, the ranking should be changed to 0-143 and 143+, I was just using that as a starting point to start the new ranking, if it is changed.

Right now the rankings only are promoting larger weight classes and it discourages the smaller weight classes and therefore causing/contributing the smaller women to drop out.

I think that it would make more sense to promote all women in the sport. I think that it is very important to get women more involved in the sport and feel like they have a place.

When I look at the Swedish team, I can only imagine how hard everyone worked to get women involved, and would like to think that one day we can have a large number of women active in the sport again.

Ashley

[Joe Gould]

If there is no entry fee, you are more likely to get untrained athletes, who have a much greater risk of a serious injury. Someone who trains to compete, doesn't usually have a problem paying a small entry fee.

I have considered this for the ARM MELTER(waiving entry fee for womens divisions). But to me, it's a bad idea.

For the ARM MELTER, I have one open division(for women). I don't think that's a great idea either, but for now, that's what's in the budget. I am thinking of adding womens divisions though(and belts).

Also, very excited about ARM MELTER 13's upcoming womens championship supermatches. Champion, Sylvie Dufresne vs Challenger, Laura Cook, for the womens right and left hand belts.

[Deleted]

Ashley I see your point however if Mike did offer a 0-143 class and only 3-4 women participated, that does not speak well for argument (considering MGC is the most prestigious event in Ontario). So in turn why would a smaller promoter want to consider this? And going a step further... How could a justify a 0-143 class when virtually no events offer them. I looked carefully at the active female pullers in Ontario and I ask you, can I even fill a top 10 list 0-143 and 144+?

I agree with you Joe. I'm really excited Sylvie and Laura confirmed!! Great to see Laura back in the mix. I'm really looking forward to see these matches. If Laura comes in at top form, she ll be very tough to beat.

[Deleted]

Ashley I don't honestly beleive that starting a 0-143 womens rankings class would all of a sudden increase the lightweights women's numbers at events. All pullers have their reasons in how often & where they compete. There are bigger more fundamental reasons in play.

However I am looking very closely into sheer numbers across Ontario and contacting promoters to see if ur idea is feasible. Thanks for your opinion, I'm definetly looking into this.

[Ashley Maher]

Jan 16, 2012 14:32:33 GMT -5 @chrisgobby said:

Ashley I see your point however if Mike did offer a 0-143 class and only 3-4 women participated, that does not speak well for argument (considering MGC is the most prestigious event in Ontario). So in turn why would a smaller promoter want to consider this? And going a step further... How could a justify a 0-143 class when virtually no events offer them. I looked carefully at the active female pullers in Ontario and I ask you, can I even fill a top 10 list 0-143 and 144+?

Chris I think you misunderstand what I'm saying..
I'm not asking anyone to add a 0-143 class for women and I know that women won't just appear if rankings are started for them. All I want to do is try to encourage them to join the sport.
By allowing thier name to be mentioned on the ranking site it may be a step in the right direction towards getting more participation out of women.
No one has to go out of pocket, and if you can't get top 10 then just do top 5, and if thats to much trouble then how about if I put them in order for you and you can post it on the site.

I ask you this...

What harm would it do?

Ashley

[Deleted]

Ok fair enough Ashley. The top 5 (0-143)at MGC will be the starting point and the official ranking. If 5 don't show up, no use. I mean if a "ranking class" is their only motivating factor for participating in the province's MOST prestigious event. We got bigger issues as the general attitude is poor. Like all other classes we have rankings because the participating & activity is already there. We don't have them so certain folks (that wouldn't attend otherwise) will all of a sudden come out of hiding.

I think we should respect the female lightweights, but maybe first they need to respect the growth of Ontario armwrestling. Building a class so that they might now come out and support does not seem to me to be the healthy process.

But like I previously said...I ll give you the benefit of the doubt because you seem very passionate. If they come... We will build it.

[John Milne]

Very good job presenting your case Ashley.

I'll bet you're dangerous to argue with ;D

[Ashley Maher]

Hi John; I don't know about dangerous but Chris hit the nail on the head.."Passionate".

Do you guys remember saying something like" Wow this is an awesome sport, it should be in the Olympics, why didn't I start this when I was younger, or I can beat that guy".
Well that's the way I feel right now, everyone on this board said that at one time or another.

I know you both were like that, Joey told me that you guys had so much fire underneath you that no one could hold you down. Now your both doing something for the sport. John is refereeing and your doing the rankings, well I want to help out.

Did anyone help you guys along the way?
I'm going to try and build up the women population in Ontario and I need some help!

Chris you gave me an ultimatum by saying that if 5 women don't show up at Mikes than there will be no ranking for them...Well it won't happen over night.

Ashley

[John Milne]

Sold, sold, sold!

I'm sure you could only make this sport better. All the best to you Ashley. Get that ball rolling!

[Deleted]

Surely Ashley in the next 2.5 months you ll be able to contact some of these gals and convince them that the MGC women's class should merit their attendance. If they decide it's not worth their time... It's not worth mine.