Competitions in 2009?

[genetic freek]

There are some very interesting arguments and suggestions being posted on this subject (NABBA SI champs).

I agree with Matrix that many people seem to get a general negative opinion about an organisation due to one bad experience at a particular event. I have competed in many events (both NZFBB and NABBA) and also organised a number of NZFBB events. Any one of a hundred or more things can go wrong at an event, regardless of how much preparation is put into it. Also, apart from the judging related aspects of a show (i.e. class options, poses, judging criteria), no two shows for either organisation is the same. Venue facilities can differ greatly and competitor numbers vary considerable from one show to the next.

I can't comment on the NABBA Christchurch show as I've never been to one, although every comment I have read about this year's event was far from complimentary. Rather than the organiser stepping down voluntarily, the responsibility is surely with the NABBA committee to force a change. Perhaps they are not fully aware of all the negative issues surrounding this event?

A show with small competitor numbers isn't necessarily a poor show, nor is it really the fault of the event organiser (although poor attendance due to lack of publicity and advertising is!). I competed in 5 NABBA shows in 2006 and found the organisation, atmosphere and attitude of everyone to be excellent. One of those was in Nelson, with just 14 competitors. Despite the very low number of competitors (with few local competitors as at least 10 of the 14 were from Wellington and Christchurch) it was a very well run show by Mark Anderson. The audience numbers were good, the night show was padded out well so it wasn't too short (or too drawn out) and everyone seemed to have a really fun time.

I also agree that while NZFBB competitor numbers have been up in recent years (with a drop in NABBA numbers in that time) there is certainly plenty of opportunity for both organisations to survive well together for many years to come. It's not fair for any competitor to compete at a show that is sub-standard due to poor organisation. If you find a good venue and use it well, run it on a suitable date, and promote the event adequately - that's a really good start! :nod:

Very well said.

From my point of view re South Island nabba is that often BB is given a bad wrap or misrepresented. For someone aspiring to do a show or for someone who has never been to a show before seeing the SI nabba would have put them off bodybuilding big time! It was embarrassing :cry: and I did feel sorry for the competitors who had put in 12 or more weeks of hard work only to be let down!

[Matrix]

Thanks for posting MT, an excellent article.

I agree, It is hard on the competitors when you train you arses off for months/years then diet for 12+ weeks then turn up and either have no one to be compared to/compete against or no one in the audience to see the results of your hard work.

Unfortunately, Competitive Bodybuilding is a minority sport: it's not to New Zealanders what Rugby, Netball etc are.

However, the amount of people going to the gym to look better and achieve better physiques is huge! What we as competitors can do is help promote our sport is identify people in the gym who have great genetics or train really hard and try getting them on to the stage or at least to a show!

I trained a female client with great genetics and always suggested that she would do really well in BBuildiing. Once she attended a show and continually heard this same advice from several other people she has decided to compete next year.

We compete in an amateur sport where advertising budgets and the time of the people running the shows is limited, Ask anyone who has put one on; they don't do it for the money they do it because they love the sport and free advertising is where we as competitors can help.

Every show I do I invite my friends, family and trainers I know. If even a third of the people I invite turn up, then that really helps the gate receipts which in turn allows the promoter to stage and advertise bigger and better shows the following year. This also exposes Bodybuilding to an all new audience who would perhaps not normally go to a show.

As competitors we can help recruit people to the sport. For example: Imagine how much it means for a young guy with potential to have a Mike D, Mike K, Nathan O'Hearn or Mark Anderson tap them on the shoulder at the gym and convince them to train for a comp( as i'm sure these guy's do). If we can get more of that from or top guys and girls then I believe the numbers attending and participating in the shows will go up.

Everyone can name at least a handful of guys and girls at their gyms who could compete and do well, it's just a matter of getting more of them to the shows to check our sport. I reckon most having attended a show will really be motivated by it.

[Optimass]

For years both (all) federations have had their pros and cons. As I understand it as they are also non profit organisations - sustained by membership and ticket sales etc. But just because they are non-profit doesn't mean they can not make one in order to fund events etc in the following year .... I believe churches are non profit but mr tamaki seems to be doing alright in spite of the economic downturn.

Some questions/suggestions I have;

If the nzfbb presidency is vacant do all members get to vote for a cnadidate or is it the exec board that does it? It should go out to all members like a shareholders vote. (Could be set up to log on to web site with membership number to ensure integrity).

Candidates should have to submit a portfolio - outlining their experience ... not just in the sport but I believe that the right candidate needs to have some business intelligence/experience as funding has always been a concern. They should also provide a business plan on how they intend to build the brand/profile of the sport etc. Show targets/budgets etc

The federation should publish its financial statements to paid members quarterly. (Profit and loss) - this shouldn't be too hard as they are required to do so for tax purpose anyway.

Transperancy will add value to the membership - and IMO I think the annual fee is too low. I would gladly pay double if it meant I could see how it was being managed.

[Optimass]

Unfortunately, Competitive Bodybuilding is a minority sport: it's not to New Zealanders what Rugby, Netball etc are.

However, the amount of people going to the gym to look better and achieve better physiques is huge! What we as competitors can do is help promote our sport is identify people in the gym who have great genetics or train really hard and try getting them on to the stage or at least to a show!

We compete in an amateur sport where advertising budgets and the time of the people running the shows is limited, Ask anyone who has put one on; they don't do it for the money they do it because they love the sport and free advertising is where we as competitors can help.

As competitors we can help recruit people to the sport. For example: Imagine how much it means for a young guy with potential to have a Mike D, Mike K, Nathan O'Hearn or Mark Anderson tap them on the shoulder at the gym and convince them to train for a comp( as i'm sure these guy's do). If we can get more of that from or top guys and girls then I believe the numbers attending and participating in the shows will go up.

Everyone can name at least a handful of guys and girls at their gyms who could compete and do well, it's just a matter of getting more of them to the shows to check our sport. I reckon most having attended a show will really be motivated by it.

Agree and disagree .... if shows are flooded with first timers this could have a detrimental effect on the sport. The prejudging shows should be used to screen those that fail to make the grade. Im not saying they should be able to take part but when you sit down to a finals it should be the top performers in each division out on stage.

the sport cannot survive on supplement brands for sponsership if events are going to expand. but external sponsors are concerned re what the image will do for their product. managing the quality of the finals shows will help lift the impresisons. This will also shorten the night shows as it is a put off for those outside the sport to sit through a 6+ hour event. If the prejudge was done on the friday and then finals Saturday afternoon with a sponsored after function I think this would help raise profile for the sport.

The table seating at the elite show was also a good idea. If we treat the shows like an extraveganza - live music may be, merchandise on sale. Signing and photo with the pros. (If you pay to have them can't you use them to generate some income?)

May be less shows is also a better way to go - lowers costs and would make for larger classes.

If you want to attract more members and spectaters you need to have a great show. the nz game has been hamstrung until recently - now we have our own freaks (pros) the shows will provide more entertainment. If we cant add cash to the prizes to maintain the ametuer divisions - why not get a sponser to donate some shit hot prizes at nationals .... LCDs, PS3 XBOX etc.

Why don't nz fitness mags cover the events?

[Gasp]

Good forum here guys.....A lot of thoughts and ideas, some of which havent been said before and needed to be thrown around by the committee boys.

I`d still question the worth of the small comps held outside the main centres. They are usually a bit of a punt numbers wise and you never know until the day how many are going to turn up unless they are the last qualifier. Irrespective of that the same preparation must go in regardless of whether there are 14 or 140 and the gate price is usually pre-determined.

Although the competitors can cruise in and cruise out having qualified for the Nationals, it can send the spectators home feeling short changed.

[Darwinstef]

Thanks for posting MT, an excellent article.

As competitors we can help recruit people to the sport. For example: Imagine how much it means for a young guy with potential to have a Mike D, Mike K, Nathan O'Hearn or Mark Anderson tap them on the shoulder at the gym and convince them to train for a comp( as i'm sure these guy's do). If we can get more of that from or top guys and girls then I believe the numbers attending and participating in the shows will go up.

Everyone can name at least a handful of guys and girls at their gyms who could compete and do well, it's just a matter of getting more of them to the shows to check our sport. I reckon most having attended a show will really be motivated by it.

I completely agree. I was unfortunate enough to make this years SI champs the first BB show I had ever seen, while it didn't put me off I wasn't left feeling overly wowed either.

I then competed in Marks Nelson Bays the next month, what a huge difference that was. While still a small show the crowd was great and really into the whole thing, nice to get some decent prizes as well.

As a result of that show I now have a group of 10 odd people from the airforce base I train at training for next years show, all super keen and with the prospect of more to come. It always amazes me the amount of people who are actually keen to give BBing a go but are to shy/embarrassed about it.

IMHO while its nice to compete with large numbers ultimately I am just competing to improve myself. Bring on Nelson Bays 2009 \:D/

[MasterTel]

I`d still question the worth of the small comps held outside the main centres. They are usually a bit of a punt numbers wise and you never know until the day how many are going to turn up unless they are the last qualifier. Irrespective of that the same preparation must go in regardless of whether there are 14 or 140 and the gate price is usually pre-determined.

Very interesting point, Gasp, but I would suggest that a bigger cause of smaller competitor numbers is more to do with the timing of the show rather that the geographical location. Any show held in September or October (i.e. close to Nationals) is likely to not only attract good numbers but also good quality - regardless of where it is held. e.g. this years NZFBB North Island champs in Masterton with approx 70 competitors of excellent quality.

IMO it is the shows held in April and May that are the difficult ones to get good numbers to. And, meaning no disrespect at all to the competitors, the quality is usually a lot weaker due to a much higher % of first-timers competing at these early shows. And these shows are usually in the main centres e.g. the NZFBB Wellington champs in April had just 26 competitors and only 2-3 years ago the NZFBB Auckland champs were not even getting this many competitors.

Another very good point made by Gasp is that it takes virtually the same amount of effort to organise a show with 14 competitors as one with 140 competitors in terms of getting sponsorship, promotion, venue hire etc. Obviously registration and running the show on the day is much different with 140 vs 14, but everything leading up to takes pretty much the same effort.

This is a major reason why I have moved the usual April event held in Wellington to Masterton at the end of June - it is one week after the Auckland champs (to give competitors more than just one show to prepare for at that time), plus is likely to attract more regular competitors as well as the usual first-timers.

Masterton has been a very successful venue in the past two years, and I'm also confident that the planned Wanganui event at the end of July will be a success. The Thames event this year was a huge hit with the locals. I feel it is important to move the sport to these smaller regions, because I have seen a general complacency creep in by just having events in big centres year after year.

Are you competing in 2009 MT

No, mate. I've had my worst year of training ever (due mainly to illness and injury), so hopefully I can get a good 12 months under my belt in 2009 and get back on stage in 2010. How about you?

[bigmd]

I completely agree. I was unfortunate enough to make this years SI champs the first BB show I had ever seen, while it didn't put me off I wasn't left feeling overly wowed either.

I then competed in Marks Nelson Bays the next month, what a huge difference that was. While still a small show the crowd was great and really into the whole thing, nice to get some decent prizes as well.

As a result of that show I now have a group of 10 odd people from the airforce base I train at training for next years show, all super keen and with the prospect of more to come. It always amazes me the amount of people who are actually keen to give BBing a go but are to shy/embarrassed about it.

IMHO while its nice to compete with large numbers ultimately I am just competing to improve myself. Bring on Nelson Bays 2009 \:D/

I hope it wasnt the NZFBB SI that left you disapointed, if you didnt get a chance to come to the NZFBB show, then hopefull this yr you might, we would love to have a team from Woodbourne down here in ChCh

[Darwinstef]

I hope it wasnt the NZFBB SI that left you disapointed, if you didnt get a chance to come to the NZFBB show, then hopefull this yr you might, we would love to have a team from Woodbourne down here in ChCh

Nah it was the NABBA SI. In fairness I have yet to attend a NZFBB show, trying to figure out how I can fit that in this year . At the very least I will try and get along to watch if I don't compete (though I'd rather compete).

As for the base team, have to see how the year progresses :wink:

[Gasp]

Good point MT...that would almost present the case to have the last qualifying shows outside the main centres rather than the April to July ones.

That would guarantee more at those venues and may encourage more locals to turn up at the main centres if they were only given the early ones.

Thats a win-win situation then.

[MasterTel]

Good point MT...that would almost present the case to have the last qualifying shows outside the main centres rather than the April to July ones.

That would guarantee more at those venues and may encourage more locals to turn up at the main centres if they were only given the early ones.

Thats a win-win situation then.

Nice theory, Gasp, but there are so many factors to consider. e.g. running the Masterton show this year in late September (3 weeks prior to Nationals in Wellington) was a no-brainer. To have it in Wellington would mean 3 shows here in the space of 3 weeks (including the NABBA Wellington champs), meaning overkill for spectators and restricting the sponsorship opportunities. The Masterton Town Hall costs a fraction of a similar venue in Wellington or another major centre; I had a completely different base of sponsorship opportunities (and recruited double the number of local sponsors compared to 2007), and a decent proportion of the audience were locals who were unlikely to travel to Wellington to watch the other two events. If Nationals had not been in Wellington I would have had the Masterton event earlier (as in 2007) and had a late qualifier in Wellington (as I will be doing in 2009).

I think you have to acknowledge that a high % of competitors come from the main centres, and you need to give those competitors a chance to compete in front of their home-town support by giving the final qualifiers to these centres i.e. Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland.

Regarding the moving of early shows to later in the year: I've already noted that a reasonable number of these competitors are first-timers or one of the rare breed of regular competitor who stays in great shape year-round. If I was a first-time competitor wanting to compete in 2009 it wouldn't bother me whether the show was in April, July or September - I'd just pick a show I'd want to do and prepare for it. Also, while many first-timers don't really know if they want to carry on to Nationals (assuming they are good enough to qualify), it surely makes it easier to have a smaller gap between comps?

As I said, there are so many factors to consider.

[diamond]

[quote name="MasterTel

Are you competing in 2009 MT

No' date=' mate. I've had my worst year of training ever (due mainly to illness and injury), so hopefully I can get a good 12 months under my belt in 2009 and get back on stage in 2010. How about you?

Yeah might do, my training is going ok at the mo, will see how i go over the next couple of months.

[diamond]

Hey does anyone know if james zimmersman is still in NZ and still training. PM me if you have got his number i lost it.

[nzmusclemonster]

Does James read these boards? I have some funny stories about him :grin:

[Sheta]

After reading all 4 pages I'm happy to be training and competing in either NABBA or NZFBB!

With the Federation Nats in the 'Tron this year (and the venue literally 500m down the road from me) I'm looking forward to entering with NZFBB later this year.