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COMMENT(S): Update 2: USPF restricts championship to North American pipers; CPA weighs in
Published: April 09, 2011
Author: MichaelGrey | (report inappropriate content) |
| Andrew Bonar has it right (I'm guessing that's "boney"). A reminder you can google your local red cross as to how best to give to support big problems in the world like those in Haiti, Japan ... and the rest of the sadly endless list. |
Published: April 09, 2011
Author: brucegpiper | (report inappropriate content) |
| This is not about MacLean MacLeod and the others that run the USPF not "wanting" to see Roddy, Willie, Glenn, Callum and Chris play at the contest. I know full well that they would love to see the best line up possible but this is not their main goal. They raise money and get funding so that they can help to provide travel or tuition assistance to North American players to hopefully, in their way, do something to help increase the level of ability. Would I rather see those players at the contest, you're Damn Right I would but I do not run the event, I just support it. It's NOT that they do NOT want to give the money away to an overseas player, it's that their goals and missions state that they are to help the North American piper and the WANT to give the money to those players. It's a tough one and when I read the other day, my knee jerk reaction was that it was wrong. I talked with one of the "overseas" players the other day and while we're not totally happy about it, I think we get it. USPF has been going a long time and just got their Glenfiddich status taken away so they have gone in a new direction and it's their choice. I would like to play against all of those players, but I don't have the time, or sponsorship to start up a new contest to invite them over. Many come to Kansas City now and you can hear alot of them at the Metro Cup, or you can start your own big solo event and invite them along.
Bruce Gandy |
Published: April 08, 2011
Author: piperjde | (report inappropriate content) |
| Re: Boney & RWilson,
I agree with both of you. At first it looks as if it's a reaction to another action, but when you read the gentlemans words I can't see it being anything then making sure that the North American pipers are being watched after a bit more. And clearly making the money available to them. While paying for airfare is nice, it's the accomodations, time off and meals that ultimately keep people from going over. If one were to receive an invite, it would be great for him/her to have that extra money to attend a few other games before a big contest such as the N/M or A/G. Just my thoughts. No fun if you put up a contest that provides prize money that is hopefully used to compete over seas, only to have it snatched up by some one over seas.
You want a prime example of how the other way doesn't work out, just watch NASCAR. And all of the people in the top flight, racing in the lower grade races. Sure, it might make those lower drivers better, but now their money is being sucked out, and their teams aren't able to run full schedules to get to the top. |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: Boney | (report inappropriate content) |
| The Canadian Highland Dancing Championships is restricted to Canadian dancers. The US Highland Dancing Championships is restricted to US dancers. If the USPF wants to restrict their championship to US pipers only, that should be there choice. Cowal has piping events that are restricted to pipers that live in Argyll. How is that any different? |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: RWilson | (report inappropriate content) |
| Just to be clear the prize is as follows, from the USPF website -
"Additionally, should the Overall Winner be eligible for the Clasp at the Northern Meeting - the Senior Piobaireachd at the Argyllshire Gathering - the Gold Medal at the N/M or A/G -the Silver Medal at the N/M or A/G, the USPF will pay the trans-Atlantic air-fare from the east coast to Glasgow/Edinburgh, Scotland." There are plenty of limitations on how it may be spent, and basically by ensuring that it goes to a NA piper it ensures that he/she is able to continue to develope their skill.
A regional restriction for entry into a competition is an idea taken directly from Scotland....there are tonnes of examples of "locals only" competitions. |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: Bagpipermann | (report inappropriate content) |
| Still not buying it. If the intent is to provide the NA based highest ranked player with air fare and expenses for competitions in Scotland, then award an airline ticket + accomodation to the best placing NA based player who competes in the contest separate from the prize or trophy, which could be non monetary in nature (to save money, which seems to be ther point here???). This would allow the top placed NA player the opportunity to travel and still allow foreigners to compete for first place keeping everyone happy. There could also be a condition regarding the bursary (ticket + hotel) that stipulates that if the top NA player doesn't want to go to the UK, then the bursary could be withdrawn and awarded to the next ranked player.
After all. if you give someone cash, there is no guarantee that the prerson will spend it the way that it was intended, thus totally defeating the prupose of restricting the contest in the first place.
Banning non-NA based players is prejudism bordering on racism, pure and simple. Why not extend this further and become sexist by banning women? Or put an age restriction on it? |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: RWilson | (report inappropriate content) |
| When I read the article I understood that the financial consideration was essentially that restricting the competition to North Americans means that prive money and airfares will go to a North American to use to compete in Scotland. In essence, it ensures that the money is invested in the development of North American competitors through funding their trips to Scotland. Makes a lot of sense to me. |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: Lugnuts | (report inappropriate content) |
| If it is such a big deal how come no big name solo pipers comment. Afraid of the politics of course. Sad state of affairs. |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: Batman | (report inappropriate content) |
| Mac MacLeod is a first class gentleman, and if he says it's a financial matter, then that's what it is. If you geniuses think you know so much better, start your own **** competition and run it the way you want. |
Published: April 07, 2011
Author: Bagpipermann | (report inappropriate content) |
| Nice try with the spin, but I'm still not buying it. What has finances got to do with entry restrictions? Is the venue rented by the hour? The solution is simple. Entries should be open to "outsiders" with the stipulation that the contestants from overseas make their own way there and back (no travel monies?). Seems fair enough to me. I may be wrong, but I haven't heard of any outside players being financially compensated for travel to the big events in the UK (other than their winnings...)...or have I missed something here?... |
Published: April 06, 2011
Author: Bagpipermann | (report inappropriate content) |
| You are not the only one who thinks that this is the dumbest thing. I can't see how it helps the overall situation by reacting to a questionable decision made by one party by doing something even more questionable in retaliation. It's kind of like, "Oh yeah? You think that you are stupid? I can be even more stupid than you! Watch me...How do you like that, huh?..I win!!"
Hmm, brings a movie to mind...
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Published: April 06, 2011
Author: JMiner | (report inappropriate content) |
| Am I the only one who thinks this is the dumbest thing the competition could have done? What were they thinking!? Yeah, lets improve the standard in north america by banning players from accross the pond! Brilliant! Pardon me while I go punch myself in the face.
Btw, there are more than two gold medalists actively competing in north america. | |
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