After reading all that crap about the CJA and the problems with organizing events etc the only questions in my head are.
1. Who do I have to call/send letters to/annoy the living ^%$^ out of to get some kind of reaction?
2. Is there currently an effort at the moment to do the above (or something else that might be appropriate) and needs support of some sort? If so is it something that we can all just chip in? (ie:sign a petition or something?)
Maybe if there's enough people actively contacting the government at the same time about this issue something might get done.
The current situation is just crap.
The CJA do not run tournaments other than the Nationals. They sanction tournaments.
It is up to the tournament promoters to run the tournament.
A Canadian BJJ Association would be nice but somethng very hard to get done. Getting BJJ recognized as a sport by the government would be the first step.
Good Luck!
For now, putting some time in to help the current event promoters here in Ontario with there tournaments can only do more good than bad. If we all volunteer at these events to referee, help out in any ways, maybe than getting together and unified will be alot easier.
Like I have always said, I am not PRO C.J.A. or against it, I am just PRO getting tournaments running again. And for now I see only one way!
Rob!
What's up, man? How you been?
While I agree that if we use our numbers and are persistent, we can initiate change, I think the larger difficulty is deciding who manages the new association, and in what form. We can't just send thousands of letters to the Athletic Commission without a specific proposal to support.
There was talk of something like this some time ago, but that discussion seemed to end. I could be wrong as I never paid too much attention, but I seem to remember people quickly having issues with who would run it.
My first thought on how it could actually work is to start collecting names of those within the community. Anyone and everyone who wants to join at this initial stage can, no cost, no worries. So long as someone was willing to manage this initial part, everyone who 'joins' could vote on who should run the association, and how things are run. If I remember correctly, one of the problems with determining who would run this association last time is that we assumed that we'd have to give up decision making power to them, which caused strife over who SHOULD run things. As the community is pretty well connected, and as many of us have internet access, we don't need to cede much power to anyone. We could vote - both online and off - on major, and even minor issues. Those 'running' the organization would act more as secretaries than major decision makers. This role, itself, could be rotated with some frequency to ensure that it doesn't take too much time from anyone's calendar, and that no one needs to feel 'stuck' with someone they're not happy about having in the position.
Anyway, I'm late for work. I think it could and should happen. What does everyone else think?
BB
TTT
bonton2,
Your plan is pretty smooth and makes great sense. Putting someone 'in charge' is not the way to go, although a committee with voting rights is a much better scenario.
The process is very intricate and quite difficult to implement.
#1...Grappling has to be recognized by the Ministry. Once recognized, you will not have any issues ( major ones that is ) with the Ontario Athletic Commission.
You must create a board, have divided regions in Ontario ( 4 or 5 areas to be exact ), Area directors, clubs etc. You must report to a National or International body...you cannot be 'THE' Grappling Entity. You must report or follow the rules set down by a Grappling Organization much larger than a Provincial One.
You must follow the point by point form provided by the ministry to recognize a P.S.O. ( Provincial Sports Organization ).
You must define rules, regulations, membership fees, refereeing clinics, rankings, weight divisions, insurance, tournament rules, etc, etc.
This is just the tip of the iceberg...there is ALOT MORE...trust me. Once this is done, you must submit your proposal to the Ministry for approval. That alone can be stressful, and a joke. Red Tape...get used to it.
This information has been shared with many, many individuals, but nothing ever gets done. Either they are doing on a 'secret level' ( for total control ) and/or have realized that it is 'too much work'.
Either way, there will be a Toronto Showdown and Canadian Abu Dhabi Trials in August. When I held the Toronto Showdown, I was still boycotted by many people because I had CJA sanctioning...you figure it out.
I had the best refs you could imagine ( Prof.Behring, Prof.Pedro A, Scott Schilling, Joslin, Omar etc ), a nicely run event, etc, etc...it was an EVENT, not a tournament...people still boycotted me out of ignorance.
Welcome to Ontario...:)
Thanks.
Do you know what the requirements are for a "National Body"? Can't we simply start the "Canadian BJJ Association" tomorrow and then say we report to them?
Where is the form you mention above available?
I agree that the amount of work (though I don't really have a grasp of the scope yet) would make it intimidating, but if we're talking about working collectively, then all we need to do is split that work up.
Not that we're at that stage, but I think this would be part of the solution, if and when the information is publicly available and a plan can be agreed upon.
Thoughts anyone?
BB
I say we make Showdown Joe the rep and then plan terrorist attacks until his demands are met.
lol@dougie
bonton2 - I've been pretty ok, just incredibly busy with school, work, and family etc. I haven't been able to train and have done nothing more than go up a few weight classes (sounds a lot more dignified than just saying "I'm morbidly obese now")
Anyway - When I have a better idea as to what to suggest in regards to this issue I'll post it - for now I'd just like a discussion on the merits of such a venture.
I think that it would be a great idea and one that would help spread the word and possibly make organising tournaments easier.
ShowDownJoe - Sorry man, I think there would need to be centralized leadership, at least for a good period of time. If you want anything done you have to avoid the committee mentality -- despite being Canadian I have to say "Communism doesn't work!" ;-)
Oh, the terrorist thing is nice though.
:)
I've been nominated numerous times by various reps...I don't have any affiliations and because I'm considered a promoter, it would be in my best interest for this to succeed. As I've told many behind the scenes, I would be more than happy to 'head' whatever, but not for more than 1-2 years. I believe in a voting structure and 'change'...it's better for the sport.
Any leader should not be allowed to 'lead' for longer than one-two terms...they can be re-elected after skipping one term.
This is a MASSIVE project and you need volunteer 'members' to work with. Everyone wants to make a buck, but doesn't want to work. That's another story altogether. If the right team was selected, I would do this for free.
All those in favour of placing Joe in charge with a terrorist coup meet me behind the 7-11 at midnight.
On a lighter note, Joe, as Canadians I won't feel comfortable with you leading us unless you make promises you can't possibly keep then break them and try to make us believe that your promises were not lies.
Dougie, you're forgetting...his name is Joe, not
Dalton.