NZFBB Nationals date change

[autechre]

FYI

The Nationals are now scheduled for Sat Oct 24th.

http://www.gofigure.co.nz/doc/content/blogcategory/5/7/

[MasterTel]

Before people start changing or making booking for this date, please hold off for now.

The NZFBB National Champs organiser (Brian MacFarlane) wants to put the event back 3 weeks due to the clash with the Tua vs Cameron fight also being on Oct 3 in Hamilton.

The Exec have not approved this changed, and while a clash of events is an inconvenience, there are several other significant factors to consider i.e. competitors having a further 3 weeks to peak for Nationals following their qualifiers in September, those who have already booked flights, accommodation, time off work etc for the original date, those who now won't be able to compete on Oct 24, the post-Nationals 2010 qualifier in Wanganui now being 2 weeks BEFORE the 2009 Nationals etc. There are several other reasons, but I think what I've outlined here is a good start.

The underlying argument in favour of changing the date is purely financial i.e. less sponsors and less people watching Nationals due to the boxing - both of which I feel can be overcome and/or are far less signicant than the inconvenience on competitors and other qualifying events.

Once our internal debate about this issue is sorted, there will be a final decision made - hopefully in the next 7 days. In the meantime, your feedback will be much appreciated!

[autechre]

Thanks for the clarification MasterTel.

[Steve Urban]

I hope it doesnt change

[The Gym is My Church]

Let's just hope that the final decision is ethical, honest and done because there are NO other options.

[nzmusclemonster]

Another potential conflict is the wellington champs and the all blacks vs south africa at wellington stadium both being on September 19.

Perhaps if the date of the nationals is pushed back, the wellington champs could also be pushed back.

[MasterTel]

Another potential conflict is the wellington champs and the all blacks vs south africa at wellington stadium both being on September 19.

Perhaps if the date of the nationals is pushed back, the wellington champs could also be pushed back.

Good point, NZMM. Yes, it's actually NZ vs Aussie that night in Wellington and unfortunately we set our event calendar dates last October before the Tri-Nations dates were decided. With the South Island Champs on the week before and the CNI's the week later (and restrictions with venue availability for all 3 shows) it was impossible to juggle events and move the date for the Wellington show.

But, we've had clashes before with rugby tests and it has had minimal impact on our shows. The Wellington Champs night show is likely to sell out (a capacity of 360 seats at Memorial Theatre) so financially it won't impact the show. Plus with a 5pm start and me on the microphone I will make sure we have every chance of finishing in time for people to also watch most if not all of the rugby.

It does seem almost certain that the date for Nationals will change to Oct 24, but I won't be changing the date for the show in Wanganui on Oct 10. While it will now be 2 weeks before Nationals (and not one week after), it is likely we will make this event a qualifier for both the 2009 AND 2010 Nationals. We've already got a number of competitors who have made accommodation, flight and work leave bookings for the original date (Oct 10), and making it a dual qualifier will satisfy the majority of competitors. It also becomes a new (and the final) 2009 qualifier so it gives competitors another chance to secure their Nationals qualification for Hamilton.

[luv.me.oats]

Nabba Nationals is on the 25th October, the following day.

My goodness that's going to be a strain on the competitors who have qualified for both, 2 in one weekend!!!!

[weener lad]

My 2 cents

Leave it as is, there is a limited number of people who will go to the fight in Hams and what are the chances they will want to see Nats too?

Changing dates this close (and yes it is close if you have leave, accommodation ect sorted) is a quick way of losing competitors and respect for the NZFBB.

Only my opinion :nod:

[Optimass]

Nabba Nationals is on the 25th October, the following day.

My goodness that's going to be a strain on the competitors who have qualified for both, 2 in one weekend!!!!

If you wanted to quash the Nabba show this year .. strategically it could be a smart move.

[Grego]

Nabba Nationals is on the 25th October, the following day.

My goodness that's going to be a strain on the competitors who have qualified for both, 2 in one weekend!!!!

If you wanted to quash the Nabba show this year .. strategically it could be a smart move.

I think it wouldn't affect NABBA as most people would do one or the other anyway and they would have already decided in their own minds to do so. Where as, I am such a nutter, I would do both.?.?.. \:D/

From what I hear from the NABBA athlete ranks, most have thought October 24th a positive as they could potentially do both, which is good for the sport of bodybuilding, and it is the feeling I seem to get from most over the "Dark side" lol.

While for some of the physique competitors may find it difficult to do two comps in a weekend, how many of us wake up in the morning after a comp and look even sharper?

Also, because the NABBA Nat's is after the NZFBB one on the same weekend, those who want to do both can do without having to part with the absurd re-registration that NZFBB deem necessary to keep athletes or what ever excuse can be thought up for it.

My 2 cents

Overall, I love bodybuilding, those who know me know this. I would gladly compete in an NZFBB comp (wish I had with Aaron Noble in Masterton he was awesome) but flatly refuse to re-register my membership with NZFBB after doing another NABBA show. I guess I won't doing an NZFBB comp anytime soon. That's my stand, sure one could and will say "so what? you are only one person" But ask around. Only the staunch NZFBB people will defend the re-registration as it doesn't effect them.

A little off topic, sorry about that.

Anyway, Good luck Mastertel. Whatever happens, you'll still have athletes go along, plus, if it is on Oct 24th, I'd probably wind up in the crowd cheering everyone on!

Cheers

Grego

[bigmd]

we could get rid of memberships and just make entry to a show $100 per show!!!???, that would bring us in line with triathalons, marathons, funruns Kayak races, orentering carting racing, motocross......................................

[Grego]

we could get rid of memberships and just make entry to a show $100 per show!!!???, that would bring us in line with triathalons, marathons, funruns Kayak races, orentering carting racing, motocross......................................

Hi Mike,

I remember you mentioning that last time, but it kind of got me thinking. Sure, it costs lots to enter triathalons, marathons, fun runs kayaking, Kart racing, motocross etc, and there is plenty of competition out there to get athletes in these sorts of events. However, I don't ever remember seeing an ambulance or any medical staff and various support crews (which is the main cost and requirement for those types of events) at a bodybuilding competition. So that is not justification at all I'm afraid.

Mike, I am more than happy to pay for membership for a year, and what NZFBB charge is not an issue. I just don't believe it is in the best interest of the sport of bodybuilding to make an athlete rejoin simply because he/she did a competition at another federation. From the outside looking in it seems you are simply "trapping" althletes. Is it something that is up for review or is it not going to change?

Cheers for your time, I know you are a busy man. Hope all is going well.

Grego

[MasterTel]

That's a good point about the NZFBB membership renewal, Greg - and quite timely to raise it again.

It's one of those strict IFBB rules that we have adhered to for as long as I can remember - basically if a member of an IFBB affiliate (e.g. NZFBB) is involved with another organisation (i.e. compete) then they forfeit their IFBB/NZFBB membership immediately. It's not something we came up with to have a dig at NABBA and INBA, but I can see why it would appear that way.

I'm not sure whether this rule is something we can just abolish with a majority vote by the Executive, or perhaps it is a constitutional issue (i.e. can only be changed at an AGM or SGM), but I know several of us who stand to continue on the Executive after this weekend's AGM/election are keen to see it removed.

There are plenty of other IFBB rules that we "bend" in our organisation e.g. Judges and Executives are generally not supposed to also compete in our events, but many of our officials do and have done for many years e.g. myself (Exec), Brian McFarlane (Judge/Exec), Leanne Roulston (Judge) Willie Walker (Judge/Exec) and Mike Debenham (Judge and recent Exec).

I'll see if this issue can be addressed at the AGM this weekend - after I've researched our constitution and rules to see what is possible.

[Darwinstef]

we could get rid of memberships and just make entry to a show $100 per show!!!???, ......

Which is close enough to what it will cost a NABBA member who wants to compete in NZFBB shows in between NABBA ones .

I'm with Grego on this one, its the only thing that puts me off competing in NZFBB.

As for the date change I feel sorry for those guys that have already planned leave, travel etc...I planned my dates as soon as the calendar came out this year and I would be lucky if I could change leave dates with only 3 months notice. Personally I doubt the fight is going to have that much affect.

As for the idea of doing two shows in one weekend, whew, not for this boy, I find one tiring enough

[bigmd]

Hi Mike,

I remember you mentioning that last time, but it kind of got me thinking. Sure, it costs lots to enter triathalons, marathons, fun runs kayaking, Kart racing, motocross etc, and there is plenty of competition out there to get athletes in these sorts of events. However, I don't ever remember seeing an ambulance or any medical staff and various support crews (which is the main cost and requirement for those types of events) at a bodybuilding competition. So that is not justification at all I'm afraid.

Grego

Some good points here but to run a good show at a quality event has a cost of about $12000.plus.

As for mastertels comments on possibly reveiwing the issues, there are certain rules the IFBB a very strict on, and the association with other feds or organisations is one of those. for example. An IFBB international judge is not even suppost to attend any other federations shows even as a spectator. if i as an IFBB Pro attend another Org show, under no curcumstances am i to support anoth org, so even run the risk of being repremanded.

It comes down to (and i am not saying i agree) that there is a code of ethics, values and procedures that the IFBB adhere to. there beleife is that other organisations may not have the same level of Professionalism and or Values. Soooooo if you are a memeber with them you are saying you will adhere to these rules values etc. if you join another org you are saying you are adhereing to a different set of standards. its all political but done by the IFBB to show that the standards they have in place ther feel are best practice.

AS for the date change....... i am not sure as a show organizer for the NZFBB i should public state my position BUT having some very very succefull PT business clinets and talking it over with them. I am in very much Favour of a date change. If the two events were not both in Hamiltion different story, BUT the fight is going to be one of NZ's biggest sporting events for 09. many sponsors, and media in Hamilton will foucus all there time and money to this event. it wont effect competitor numbers, but its not the comeptitors $$ that pay the bills for running of the shows. its the Sponsors and the Audiences, Both of whom will undoubted be down with this clash. its really unfortunate but its NO ones fault. Those that are driving for a date change are doing purly to ensure a succesfull nationals and NO other reason. its a shit situation that all i can say is that i really feel for those that are trying to make it right for everybody. Both those wanting a date change and those not wanting the date change.

[MasterTel]

OK, here's the latest update. A new idea/suggestion is that Nationals be held on Oct 10 - in Auckland. For many reasons a move to Oct 24 in Hamilton was considered inadvisable, and it now turns out that virtually all of our judging panel is unavailable on that date (only 2 of 12 judges were available!).

This new option is merely a suggestion, and ALL options will be thrashed out this Sunday following our AGM. Oct 10 is only one week after the current date (not 3 weeks as with Oct 24) and getting to Auckland will be easier/cheaper for most competitors and supporters than Hamilton. It will also be easier to get sponsorship, plus it avoids a clash of weekends with the NABBA Nationals - keeping the events two weeks apart for the benefit of those who want to compete at (or watch) both.

If Oct 10 is decided on, then obviously the Wanganui event date (currently scheduled for Oct 10) will also need to be changed - probably to Oct 17 to keep it one week following Nationals.

As Mike D has said, it's not an easy situation to be in - as long as we eventually have dates and locations that minimise inconvenience to the competitors.

[NABBA]

10 October would be a shame Terry, considering that is the Wellington NABBA Regional Show date.

Would be great if we look to cooridinate dates a bit better in the future for all competitors, all federations.

Inyan

[Grego]

10 October would be a shame Terry, considering that is the Wellington NABBA Regional Show date.

Would be great if we look to cooridinate dates a bit better in the future for all competitors, all federations.

Inyan

I agree as mentioned earlier post on this thread. We are all in this sport of bodybuilding regardless of federation. And I believe with new blood flowing through the veins of NABBA and regardless of what water is under the bridge between the feds, there can be room for us to have some consdieration for a common goal; to provide athletes with the best opportunity's. I know that whenever I am approached, if an NZFBB competition suits an athlete better either for timing or location, I have recommended this to them; regardless of Fed. We need each other to keep us all honest

Grego

[trainharder]

I think Terry is doing all he can to make this work.

Comments form others who are nabba officials and who have openly said they wont ever compete in ifbb comps can be put in the trash can.

Thanks Terry for putting all this effort and time into trying to get a resolution to these dates to make it successfull.

im sure there will be a clash somewhere but not everyone will be happy with the outcome.

Hope you manage to get it sorted quickly so people can prepare to compete and the nats are as great as they were last year.

[NABBA]

I'm with Grego - compete! Whatever federation you feel works for you.. and NABBA Wellington Officials always promote the sport regardless of federation, which I know the other officials do. We've also done combined seminars with Terry in the past and continue to offer to support NZFBB locally. I've competed all feds and I encourage competitors to do the shows they want to do, regardless of fed. Some people are happy to only compete NZFBB, others NABBA , others do as many shows as they can.. each to their own.

I do find the double registration fee can be a bit hindering and maybe the new NZFBB Exec can look into that.

I also feel moving forward we could go back to working together on the calender - making it easier for athletes, sponsors, venues, timing of other sporting activities etc..

Inyan

[trainharder]

Yep i agree but in this instance due to the boxing taking place the same time and sponsorship etc i think nzfbb are trying to do what is best to make it successfull

so its due to something outside of their control that dates are being changed.

Terry seems to be doing the best he can to keep everyone informed and he does an amazing job promoting his events so he does have the best intentions of making the nats successfull

the fact that he gets on here and communicates so well with what is happening i think needs to be recognised.

i dont see many other officials doing that.

he has an unenviable task of getting the dates right to try and keep most people happy and no matter what date it gets changed to there will be negativity.

[MasterTel]

I'm full agreement with you on this, Inyan and Grego. In early 2007 I emailed the NABBA officials immediately after the NZFBB Exec had sorted out our calendar so that they could take this into consideration when forming their event calendar.

I will certainly be pushing for a collective negotiation and planning process between the two organisations (plus INBA, but Peter is also a NABBA official) so that the calendar's can be co-ordinated better. I'm all for competitors having the best choice of competitions - regardless of which organisation is running them. Not just avoiding clashes, but also spreading them appropriately both timewise and geographically. It will also benefit sponsors and spectators.

Thanks, trainharder, for your comments. While I'm doing what I can to sort out this mess with the Nationals date & location, I am only one voice on the Exec and a lot depends on the event organiser of that show - and if it moves to Auckland then I don't know who that will be (Moe would be the obvious choice, but his Olympia prep will significantly compound this).

[Grego]

I think Terry is doing all he can to make this work. Thanks Terry for putting all this effort and time into trying to get a resolution to these dates to make it successfull.

im sure there will be a clash somewhere but not everyone will be happy with the outcome.

I agree and I have genuinely wished him luck for this. I know I wouldn't want to have to sort it. I can kind of understand from both points of view. In HB we had a change of venue in 2007 a couple of weeks out as we were double booked by the staff at the original venue and while not actively assisting with the show at this time (I was competing, first show), I know it affected numbers through the door.

Comments form others who are nabba officials and who have openly said they wont ever compete in ifbb comps can be put in the trash can.

That narrows it down.... Not quite sure who is going in the trash can? I simply said my thoughts on the re-reg, not that I won't compete for NZFBB. Chill!

Greg0

[The Gym is My Church]

I am all for a common goal for the sport of bodybuilding.

However I like the idea of values and ethics when being aligned to any association, organisation and/or group. It keeps members 'safe' in that they know where the boundaries stand going forward.

Regarding a change for the NZFBB Nationals.....I cannot understand (I know that there has been numerous explanations) why there is a need to change the date sooooooo late in the piece and will similar decisions be made in the same manner in the future e.g. how are these decisions made, what is the process when making these decisions, are there procedures and policies in place when making these decisions........if and when this happens again will the decision making process be similar - I have a 'feeling' that the Nationals were changed due to other factors as opposed to what we are being told, so there could be an opportunity to learn from this process and improve upon this next time around.