After reading the posts relating to the establishment of tournament guidelines, I wanted to offer yet another viewpoint. I have been involved with wrestling for 3 years now. I love the sport and am thankful there are so many wrestling enthusiasts out there who give endless hours of their time (on a volunteer basis)to ensure our sons and daughters receive the best coaching possible. I understand the frustration some clubs are feeling regarding tournaments. I remember only a few years ago when there was just one open and one novice tournament each weekend. In just a matter of a few years, thanks to the tireless efforts of so many, the popularity of wrestling has increased so much that we find ourselves in the current situation ... having more than one open/novice tournament each weekend. Another way to look at this situation is that we now have more options available for clubs to consider. In the case of my son's club, the parents/wrestlers are not limited to attending one tournament. If there are three tournaments in one day, the wrestlers are given their choice of which tournament they would like to attend. The club does not endorse specific tournaments. For the more experienced wrestlers, the club provides the option of traveling and attending "elite" national-level tournaments. Local tournaments are an option for those wrestlers who prefer not to travel. The club provides the option of novice tournaments for those beginner wrestlers. Our club's nine coaches are divided up each weekend in order to offer the wrestlers and their parents the option that best fits their schedule/wrestlers ability. Let's face it ... especially toward the end of the season, we parents need to attend a local tournament or two not only to give ourselves a needed break but to allow us time to take care of our other obligations. Unfortunately, there are not many local tournaments available. Let's change that!
In my experience over the past three seasons, I have attended tournaments that were either ran exceptionally well or extremely poorly. Those who have been involved with wrestling for a number of years can attest to this. When I say poorly run, I am referring to a lack of "table worker" impartiality, (yes, I have seen table workers cheat for the host club ... just this past season), improper bracketing, lack of organization, etc. These are all areas in which clubs looking to host a tournament need to consider. As in many facets of life, we are tasked with having to gain the confidence of our peers in order to reap the rewards of our efforts. Tournaments can be viewed in the same way. In all reality, the hosting of ones first tournament is like a crap shoot. You plan for a large turn out, and hope that things will run smoothly so that your club will realize a good return ... one that will help your club provide more for your athletes. Unfortunately, nothing is guaranteed when planning such an event. Having multiple tournaments on a given weekend is something that is not going to change. I know there are clubs out there that have been having tournaments on a specific weekend for a number of years ... and they will probably continue to do this. Instead of looking at it as a hinderance (someone taking money from your tournament), one can view it as an opportunity to experience what your club's tournament has to offer. And believe me, if you put on a good tournament, word of mouth will be your cheapest and best form of marketing. I believe we all have our favorite tournaments that we look forward to attending every year. If you are planning to host your first tournament, strive to make yours the one everyone wants to attend. If you are local (within Johnson County) you are at an even greater advantage, as there aren't many tournaments offered here in our area.
As for my son's club, Olathe South Falcons Wrestling Club (OSFWC), they have yet been able to host their own tournament due to lack of venue (the cost of renting a gym is more than the club can risk investing). There are other fundraising options. Currently, OSFWC wrestlers are selling candy bars to earn money for equipment and to sponsor athletes from limited means. If all goes well and all of the candy is sold we will receive $1,500 for our club. No, it's not as much as a tournament could possibly bring in but it is the best option available to us at this time. We do not have matching singlets, nor do we have matching warm-up suits (and we should not fault those clubs who do) but we do have a club of 64 fine, young men willing to work hard at making their club the best it can be ... even if it is selling candy door to door at a buck a piece. Our children look to us for example. It is our responsibility to mold them and teach them sportsmanship and to put them first. We are all here for the same reason ... the kids. I know that when the OSFWC is in a position to host a tournament, I plan on volunteering my time as it takes a number of people to make a tournament successful. I also plan to seek out those clubs who are willing to offer first-time tournament hosters all the tips and how-to's on ensuring a successful tournament.
To those of you who want to restrict the options of parents to choose which tournament they want to attend or are angered because you are forced to compete with other clubs for entries, you need to ask yourself "who is the greedier?"
In closing ... would anyone like to buy a candy bar?
A Wrestler's Mom from the Olathe South Falcons Wrestling Club
