VERT Tournament for 2009- idea

[marco]

I see that the number of big competitions for VERT rollerblading are dying fast. Perhaps this is just my perception. I believe strongly that if we (vert rollerbladers) don't take control of the situation our beloved inline vert may die all together from the competition world.

What I wish to propose, mainly to European riders is to create a series of tournaments all culminating with a finals. Initially the tournament does not have to be more than 3 separate competitions plus one final. I wish somehow to get the American and Asian riders involved but it will be hard for AM riders to travel such large distances so I guess n each zone separate tournaments will have to be created.

The competitions will be small in the beginning as there will not be corporate money for sponsorships. The idea is that we will not be dependent on big companies for competitions- right now if the big companies stop sponsoring the comps are dead. If we make our own comps and we we find our sponsors then we control what happens in our sport. So we go "back to basics".

The prize monies might not be so much but my suggestion is to reduce prize monies to find money to help gifted AM and PRO skaters with travel and accommodation so they don't have to spend too much.

Please let me know what you think of the idea.

[hcb101]

in deed it is a existing problem that needs to be addressed. im down and support the idea. But what i think would be a great add to the idea is to have 3 seperate championships
1 americas
1 european
and one world championships.

its not just that we are losing are corporate sponsors its what we need to do to convince them that inlining is still a marketable sport.

and also ways that we can ensure a great turnout of prize money for the competitors. Right now im shooting a documentary on the sport and alot of pros i have talked to have second jobs along side competeing. It sucks when alot of our icons have to work 2 jobs just to do what they love to do.

One of my ideas for prize money is in both americas and asia is to have rsvp signups so you can get and idea of how many competitors will attend and have pre registration. for example you can pre register before the even and then if you decide at the last second you want to compete their will be late registration the day of which would cost more for the entrance fee. and fundraisers throughout the season to raise money for the world championships which would be a chance for ams and pros to go head to head for big money but still also have the regional championships have a payout too.

Like it can be done is the thing and it is possible but alot of skaters out thier hope that it will happen but when it comes down to it hardly anyone steps foreward to help make it possible.

just think about it this way imagine 1 skater taking a dollar and making a donation now imagine thousands of skaters across the globe donating a single dollar. it adds up but you have to give them a reason to want to support the cause and donate like they get a small freebie out of it and stuff. if that happened imagine the prize purse, it would be finominal. The whole point is we all need to step in for the cause to make something like this happen. A Website would be great and shows seriousness and ways of contact to make donations.

[administrator]

yes something has to happen. I want to talk to the AIL and Woodward at some point for next year. But also pros need to get more involved of helping kids get into it.