Post by Jay Riehle on Sept 29, 2013 11:45:37 GMT -5
Ladies and Gentlemen of the O.A.A.,
I refuse to bare witness to the fall of one of the greatest organizations this country has to offer with a bitten tongue. What I am witnessing now more than ever is that some, it not all of you are ready to turn your back on what has taken ALL of us decades to build. A place which welcomes all walks of life with open arms and a feeling of sportmanship within a family that is not unlike those within a brigade, a platoon or squadron. But something happened... somewhere along the way we lost what it meant to be a family. I know times are tough what with ever rising costs and the many twists and trials that life throws at us in everyday life. But now it is a time for each and everyone one of US to strive to rebuild, reform and represent what it means to be a memberof the O.A.A. Many people ask, well what's the executive going to do about low entries??? events?? Or even promoting?? Can Mr.Windover fix this?? No. Well Mr.Roussin can bring us back together right?? I'm sorry to tell you but we're far past this point right now.And let me tell you the executive isn't going to do a d**n thing by itself to fix even one of these problems without the members of the O.A.A. standing together to stengthen to sport as a whole. It is now more important then ever for each and everyone of us to pull up our "big boy pants" and step up to the plate to create something that will be renowned as the best place on earth to learn, train and compete in the fine sport of armwrestling. But we are not there yet. 2sanctioned events need to be filled. Practices need to be posted, If you have a seat open in your vechicle to an event welcome those who want to go but cannot to hop in with you. The only way for this to work is TOGETHER!!! We used to fight over who gets what tournament and when. Now we cant even fill them?? I realize hosting a tournament isnt easy or cheap. This is a problem right?? Instead or turning our back on the idea band together for a solution. One idea is to turn to a sister sport say strongman competition?? Right now there is an organization in Ontario much like the O.A.A. the Ontario Strongman Association who I bet are seeing the exact same struggles as we are in promoting the sport and growing. Well why not grow together??? Why?? Before I had left Ontario I had hooked up with the Fergus highland games and Scottish festival who marvelled at the idea of putting on a armwrestling competition. My venue was free by just simply sending an email soely myself. Now just think of what could be accomplished by approaching an organization AS an organization!! For far too long we've rested the weight on one or two man's shoulders. Devon Larratt even states that he, as the greatest armwrestler on the planet could not be where he is today without each and everyone of his teammates. Open your eyes ladies and gentlemen, a man which we all look up to and who defines the sport of armwrestling, "could not be where he is today without each and everyone of his teammates". If this is what it takes to become the greatest let's take the same approach to building the O.A.A. with each and everyone one of us!!!
I refuse to bare witness to the fall of one of the greatest organizations this country has to offer with a bitten tongue. What I am witnessing now more than ever is that some, it not all of you are ready to turn your back on what has taken ALL of us decades to build. A place which welcomes all walks of life with open arms and a feeling of sportmanship within a family that is not unlike those within a brigade, a platoon or squadron. But something happened... somewhere along the way we lost what it meant to be a family. I know times are tough what with ever rising costs and the many twists and trials that life throws at us in everyday life. But now it is a time for each and everyone one of US to strive to rebuild, reform and represent what it means to be a memberof the O.A.A. Many people ask, well what's the executive going to do about low entries??? events?? Or even promoting?? Can Mr.Windover fix this?? No. Well Mr.Roussin can bring us back together right?? I'm sorry to tell you but we're far past this point right now.And let me tell you the executive isn't going to do a d**n thing by itself to fix even one of these problems without the members of the O.A.A. standing together to stengthen to sport as a whole. It is now more important then ever for each and everyone of us to pull up our "big boy pants" and step up to the plate to create something that will be renowned as the best place on earth to learn, train and compete in the fine sport of armwrestling. But we are not there yet. 2sanctioned events need to be filled. Practices need to be posted, If you have a seat open in your vechicle to an event welcome those who want to go but cannot to hop in with you. The only way for this to work is TOGETHER!!! We used to fight over who gets what tournament and when. Now we cant even fill them?? I realize hosting a tournament isnt easy or cheap. This is a problem right?? Instead or turning our back on the idea band together for a solution. One idea is to turn to a sister sport say strongman competition?? Right now there is an organization in Ontario much like the O.A.A. the Ontario Strongman Association who I bet are seeing the exact same struggles as we are in promoting the sport and growing. Well why not grow together??? Why?? Before I had left Ontario I had hooked up with the Fergus highland games and Scottish festival who marvelled at the idea of putting on a armwrestling competition. My venue was free by just simply sending an email soely myself. Now just think of what could be accomplished by approaching an organization AS an organization!! For far too long we've rested the weight on one or two man's shoulders. Devon Larratt even states that he, as the greatest armwrestler on the planet could not be where he is today without each and everyone of his teammates. Open your eyes ladies and gentlemen, a man which we all look up to and who defines the sport of armwrestling, "could not be where he is today without each and everyone of his teammates". If this is what it takes to become the greatest let's take the same approach to building the O.A.A. with each and everyone one of us!!!