Circuit Sanctioned Events: Is there still a need for them?

[Eric Roussin]

Going back to the early ‘90s, Ontario has run “circuit sanctioned” events: five annual tournaments where pullers can earn points toward various points races (e.g. Puller of the Year, Team of the Year). Until just a few years ago, these events were generally well attended, and many active pullers made a point to attend at least a couple of them. However, these circuit sanctioned events no longer seem to have quite the same draw power. I think this can be attributed to a number of factors. The increasing popularity of alternative formats (triple elimination, round robins, supermatches) as well as an increase in pulling options are a couple that come to mind.

This brings me to my question: is there still a need to distinguish “circuit sanctioned” events from regular “sanctioned” events? Regular sanctioned events allow more flexibility when it comes to format and classes offered. The MGC and Arm Melters are examples of events that are sanctioned, but not “circuit” sanctioned. Is it a big deal if the OAA no longer has circuit sanctioned events like it has for more than 20 years?

I have a number of related discussion topics that I will be posting in the coming days, but first I want to see what people think of the concept of possibly eliminating circuit tournaments.
Please share your thoughts, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions.

[Dan Kadlec]

The circuit sanctioned events are a ton of fun. I think that they add to the tournament frequency as well as the draw of new local pullers to an extend. Also since they tend to fill the void of bigger events such as MGC, arm melter and larger events (ie: Toronto pro supershow as well as provincials/nationals), everyone gets to pull on a regular basis. Helps pullers grow and attracts new ppl across the province, rather than the limited to where the big events are.

[Jay Riehle]

Im with Dan on this one. Keep the circuit alive. Its part of what makes Ontario the armwrestling mecca that it is. If the circuit dies then my fear is, so will the west. And if so, the O.A.A. would then be viewed as just a "team" @ nationals rather then an Association. Would the O.A.A. play "host" to these sanctioned events or merely be regarded as.....well??? "The guys who run the Provincial Championships"

[Jay Riehle]

Perhaps rather then kiboshing the circuit, we should develop ways to improve them. Make them more appealing to the more seasoned armwrestlers. I hate to say but in todays day in age everything needs a marketing gimmick. Ya supermatches are cool, but look at what Joe and Eric did with the Eastern Championships feat. The Arm Melter Nitro Series. That was a huge event, just think if we could run something similar at every curcuit event. An annual sideline event hosted by each counterpart of the province. Im not saying have a nitro series at every event, but something special and exclusive to each circuit event. Ive been sitting on an idea that I wanted to eventually run in Ontario to commemorate a certain individual's sucess in the sport. Perhaps I should hand the idea over to somebody else to run in my absence. Ill see what I can do to make this a reality. Lets improve the circuit, create the fire that once was. All we need is a spark right???

[Eric Roussin]

Excellent feedback, guys.

It’s become a bit harder to fit in five circuit events each year among all of the other tournaments in the province, as well as the big US events that draw Ontario pullers. Especially five circuit events that are held in different parts of the province. Also complicating the task is that some long term promoters of circuit events have stopped hosting them, or at least no longer do so on a yearly basis (e.g. Big Luke, Al Aubin, Mark Zalepa, Guy Windover, and me).

I agree that we need tournaments held across the province, and hope that people in all areas step up to make
this happen. But it may be easier to make this happen if the events don’t need to adhere to the standard circuit tournament requirements – i.e. standard classes, standard entry fees, double elimination – and that don’t also carry the associated circuit fees ($100 flat fee + $5 per entry). Added flexibility may make more people interested in putting on an event.

If the circuit events were eliminated, we could still tally points from all OAA sanctioned events, and count the points from each puller’s best five tournaments.

I completely agree that promoters need to try to make their events stand out if they expect to receive a good turnout. Simply holding an event no longer seems to be sufficient. However, I think this decision should be made by individual promoters.

Let’s keep the discussion going…

[Dave McEwen]

I think Eric has come to terms of the new realities ,i tried to say there was a big problem almost 2yrs ago,but was basicly brushed off when i touched on the subject in one thread . I'm sorry that a shakeup in the exec. has been the end result and the loss of some exceptional promoters ,this part of the province may never recover it's killed the desire for many to participate who have been in the sport 25+ years ,they have all given so much to this sport. That being said there still should circut tournaments that can count for points , a small fee to the Oaa,but not a cash stream to fund it,things need to streamline just the basics, the new players are doing the promoting now ,there is no point in competing against them ,the OAA should focus on growing us locally , there also needs to be ref. seminares i wanted to attend 1 for the last several years but they are always cancled from low possible attendance. As i retire i wanted to give back to the sport by reffing when needed but i remain not re certified . As a puller it's no fun come just to watch when your injured, but would likely if i could participate in some form . Good luck Eric and the rest of the exec. , you will do a good job your needed and apreciated .

[Eric Roussin]

What does everyone think of the idea of not having five circuit sanctioned tournaments that count for points, but rather have all sanctioned events count for points (with the top five counting for any particular puller). All sanctioned events would have an associated base OAA sanctioning fee of $50. This would provide a source of revenue to the OAA above and beyond annual memberships, would encourage participation because all events would count for points, and would allow flexibility to tournament promoters.

Of course, we would attempt to have tournaments held across the province.

Good idea or bad?

[Guy Windover]

This could be a great idea Eric! Could someone outline exactly what one gets by sanctioning an event? And what is expected due to the sanctioning of!

And Dave I am with you on the refs clinic. I want to get to level 3. Only at Nats and I will never be able to attend another Nats while on the May 24 weekend. Summer way to busy.

This is good stuff Eric, I like the ideas flying around. Thanks Jay and Dan also for input. It is needed!

[Eric Roussin]

A sanctioned event would count in the various points races as well as for the Ironman Award (given to the puller who competes in the most OAA sanctioned events). It also assures pullers that the event will be officiated by certified referees. Plus, it would ensure the event gets promoted on the OAA website.

Basically, a sanction would lend extra legitimacy to the event whereby the tournament director could promote the event as being sanctioned by the Ontario Armwrestling Association.

[Guy Windover]

Is there any legal protection that comes with sanctioning? I thought I remember seeing that by attaching to the association that you were umbrellad under them for the legal protection they provide. Not sure where I heard that?

[Eric Roussin]

Unfortunately, this is not the case in Ontario. When I looked into it awhile back, insurance was cost prohibitive.

[Jay Riehle]

Ive taken a couple days to ponder the pro's and con's that may come with the cancellation of the circuit. The biggest advantage in discontinuing the curcuit is that it will alleviate conflicting tournament date schedules. Far too often promoters are competing for a certain date to hold their tourney's which 9 times out of 10 ends up on a cancellation of the 'less favored' event. It would definatly be nice to see the return of the 'Murray Park Memorial Tournament'. In my opinion this is one of the important tournaments that were held in Ontario as it is a true reflection of  what it means to be a member of the Ontario Armwrestling Association.

A question I do have moving forward with this decision is, if sanctioned tournaments count points, which ones would be eligable?? Will they be preselected?? Or perhaps a pullers top 5 placings that year over the course of all sanctioned tournaments held??? Maybe only the most populated tournaments of the year?? My only fear with this would be that, obviously the Arm Melter Series is the most populated/favoured event, making these tournaments 'point eligible' may be seen as an exclusion of the western and northern regions of Ontario pullers. We cant very well ask Joe and Rebecca to drive 8 hrs west or north just to accomodate the points factor of the O.A.A. Dont get me wrong, that would be firkin' sweet!!! The expansion of the Arm Melter Series into Toronto is already incredible.

So what can we do that would help make it a level playing field for all participants of the O.A.A.

[Eric Roussin]

"Or perhaps a pullers top 5 placings that year over the course of all sanctioned tournaments held" -- This is the option I had in mind.