NZFBB classes/ rules

[teamfatboy]

Newbie question - looked on th NZFBB site but can't find the rules, so could someone please tell me:

a. what the age breaks are for masters men (looks like over 40/ over 50) ?

b. does nzfbb offer athletic (doesn't look like it) ?

I'm also thinking that a 45yo novice would be better in masters than in novice where he's competing against 21yo's...but I'd be interested in views.

Thanks

TFB

[MasterTel]

Hey, TFB - hope this answers your questions:

a. what the age breaks are for masters men (looks like over 40/ over 50) ?

There are two regional event classes for Masters Men - Over 40 (i.e. you qualify in the year that you turn 40, so even if you don't turn 40 until December you can compete in this class from Jan that same year) and Over 50 (same rule as Over 40 class but substitute '40' for '50'). There is also an Over 60 class at Nationals only.

b. does nzfbb offer athletic (doesn't look like it) ?

Yes, 2007 saw the introduction of the Classic class in NZFBB events - very much like NABBA's Athletic class (i.e. based on height/weight ratio). One class at each regional event and Nationals, but more classes may be introduced if numbers demand it.

I'm also thinking that a 45yo novice would be better in masters than in novice where he's competing against 21yo's

Not necessarily - a number of 40 plus competitors compete regularly in Novice, Open and Classic classes. But generally, yes - it is more likely that a 45 year old novice would look at the Masters Over 40 class to start with.

Email me if you want any more info, TFB - I'm the Wellington regional Executive Member for the NZFBB, plus the local Event Organiser.

[teamfatboy]

Thanks Terry, I'd worked out that MasterTel was you....

sadly, I worked out that I'd have to shed a couple of major bones as well as all my b/f to make weight for athletic (if it's the same 'height minus 100 plus 2' kg...

But I'm starting to think Masters Over 40 might be a worthwhile goal...if I can have a clean Xmas. :shifty:

[Kiwi]

Why do you think you would be better in the O/40 category than the novice category?

I think there are pro's and cons either way....

Both categories can be very competitive - there is a lot of mature muscle in the older categories (those guys look damn good) - which novice BB'er may not have. Of course novice categories may have youth on their side and look great as well.

If you place within your age category at your first comp, I don't think you can then try out a novice category (but MT can correct me there - cos he will know the rules), i.e. you are stuck (unless you go into Open). But if you have a bash at the novice category, you can then change to an age one later. (FYI - I did it that way when I did my first comp in my late 30's).

[MasterTel]

sadly, I worked out that I'd have to shed a couple of major bones as well as all my b/f to make weight for athletic (if it's the same 'height minus 100 plus 2' kg...

Actually, TFB, the Classic class is more lenient than the Athletic class weight-wise, depending on how tall you are. Under 170cm tall the rule is the same for both classes, but between 170 and 178 you can be 2kg heavier in Classic than Athletic (i.e. height (cm) minus 100 plus 4kg) and Over 178 it is height (cm) minus 100 plus 6kg - therefore 4kg heavier than Athletic. Perhaps that might make a difference, without having to lose some of your bones!

If you place within your age category at your first comp, I don't think you can then try out a novice category (but MT can correct me there - cos he will know the rules), i.e. you are stuck (unless you go into Open).

Yes, Kiwi, that does pretty much fit the existing NZFBB rules, i.e.

4.4 A Master (Women or Men) who has placed in the top 3 at any Regional or National event, can no longer enter as a novice competitor. They can only enter as a Master or an Open competitor. (NATIONAL'S QUALIFING CLAUSE APPLIES).

However, I believe this ruling is incorrect. The intreptation I have always seen from the judges at registration is that only Masters regional WINNERS and Masters National top-3 placegetters can not compete as a Novice - ie they can compete only in Masters, Classic or Open classes. I plan to get this rule and a couple of others checked and confirmed at our next meeting in February.

[teamfatboy]

Thanks guys, appreciate the advice.

At my current height/ weight (179 or so/ 105), I'm unlikely to make athletic weight (85kg) even fully shredded and dry like a desert - I must have lead in my bones!

So, if/ when I dare get on stage, it was a choice between O/40 and novice...Kiwi's point about what it means for future comps is a good one and I look forward to hearing whether it's a win or a place that's the decisive factor.

The logic in aiming for masters was to avoid going up against the 21yo monsters - but I guess that's also depending on which comp and who turns up on the day, as much as anything...

but it's all something to aim at for 2008 (or 2009...)

Thanks again

TFB

[waldo]

MT, are you guys going to run the classic class in the three seperate divisions in 2008? I ask this because I look really small against you six footers. Not that I'm a midget (5'9")!

[Manu]

I take it that when you have your meeting in February MT that the "official" 2008 calendar for the NZFBB will be released??

[MasterTel]

MT, are you guys going to run the classic class in the three seperate divisions in 2008? I ask this because I look really small against you six footers. Not that I'm a midget (5'9")!

Hopefully we will be able to introduce at least one extra Classic class next year, Waldo. I'll propose at our next meeting that we consider having two classes - Tall and Short. There will probably be resistance from some of the Executives to having an extra class, so I will suggest we only have it at a regionals if there are at least 3 in each class - otherwise we just have the one class as per 2007 events. Having at least one extra class at Nationals is more likely, but once again dependent on numbers.

Having 3 classes as per the height/weight ratios would be Under 170cm, 170-178 and Over 178. With a Tall / Short split, I might suggest we use 175cm as the dividing height. The Tall / Short split seems more logical that 3 classes - similar to Figure and Body Fitness.

Waldo - if you turn up next year in the shape you were in at the North Island champs you will do very well regardless of whether there are 1, 2 or 3 classes!

[MasterTel]

take it that when you have your meeting in February MT that the "official" 2008 calendar for the NZFBB will be released??

Yes, Manu - we should have the final calendar confirmed at our Feb meeting.

There are only two dates that need to be confirmed (Wellington and North Island) and I'm guessing it is one or both of these that are of particular interest to you as you live in Masterton.

I will be pushing very hard to have Sept 27th approved by the Exec for the North Island champs in Masterton. As well as being only 3 weeks out from Nationals (ideal for local competitors to qualify for this big event), it fits in really well between the South Island Champs (Sept 13) and CNI's (Oct 11).

The Wellington Champs will be held on either April 5th or 12th - I'm keen to have this between the Elite/Pro event (March 15) and IFBB Australasians (April 19th or 26th) to suit competitors who want to also do one or other of these events.

[Pseudonym]

From the shows I've seen this year, I think another class is warranted. Some of the lineups on the Classic were pretty long, and there was quite a height discrepancy between competitors.

Perhaps it was just the novelty of a new category, but it looked like the Classic class was actually pulling a lot of competitors from Physique (even some who, in my opinion, would have been better staying where they were!). That was just my gut feeling - presumably MasterTel will have the stats to say whether and how much the Physique class suffered?

[Flamer]

Hey Master Tel - can I ask you to clarify something for me? Numerous BB forums and sites state that you can enter both NABBA & NZFBB competitions without having to re-register if you flick from one to the other. This was not my experience. I did NZFBB Auck Champs June 07 as my first ever comp. Didn't place, but learnt heaps. Went to 2 NABBA comps to get some stage time under my belt. NZFBB offered no other Auck comps other than Sonny Schmidt. Went to enter & register for Sonny Schmidt (after dieting & dehydrating for it) to be told I had to re-register. Was pretty pissed!! What's the go?

[MasterTel]

I'm not sure where you got that info from, flamer, but it is definitely not correct. Perhaps it was a confusion with terminology?

If you are a member of the NZFBB and compete in an event run by another organisation (e.g. NABBA) you automatically lose your financial membership. Therefore, when you next compete in an NZFBB event you will need to rejoin as a member (i.e. pay the $45 annual fee). This is a standard IFBB rule that applies to all affiliated organisations like the NZFBB and has been in place for at least 7 years (that's as long as I hae been a member).

Perhaps the confusion is with losing Nationals qualification. Up until 2 years ago, as well as losing your financial membership by competing for another organisation, you also lost your right to compete at Nationals from an earlier event. Therefore you had to requalify in another regional to be able to compete at Nationals. This no longer applies, meaning the only thing you lose by doing a NABBA show is your financial membership. I know this rule very well - it cost me $225 in total last year to rejoin as an NZFBB member after each of the 5 NABBA shows I competed in (5 x$45). While I didn't do any NZFBB shows in between, I had to rejoin immediately as I am on the Executive.