NGB

[JohnChapman]

Reading with interest your debates on the wish for a national governing body for inline hockey in the USA if I may I would like to make some observations from across the pond.
In Europe there is a tendency to incorporate all roller sports into one national governing body, this might not suit your national conditions but has relevance to your problems.

Most of the players seem to believe that the discussion is about the separation of the bodies of ice and roller, this need not be the case, but it is defiantly the case that different styles of inline roller hockey need to be identified.

The composition of a national body needs to reflect not the problems but the similarities. This could be done along the lines of ?grouping of organisations? or ?associations? that follow either,

q Full contact to ice rules,
q Non-contact to FIRS rules,

Then each of these groups become a subsection to which each association or organisation can align to as they so wish, reflecting their views on how they think their roller sport?s organisation wants to play the game.
This hopefully will provide a ?National Governing Body? with representation from across the sport without being dictatorial; each subsection hopefully of like minds can then promote ideas to improve their sport. A lot of ideas will probably be common to both subsections hence each subsection should discuss these through representatives, who act as the ?National Governing Body committee?.

In the same way the two sports of Ice Hockey and Inline Roller Hockey have many areas of common ground for the sports to improve and grow. It can be wasteful to duplicate what already exists, so finding a single provider able to adapt to both disciplines is far more sensible. Even if both subsections play from different but similar rulebooks, the bulk of coaching and refereeing training could be standardised.

The national subsections could then decide how this would apply to such as,
· Number of periods, timed length of periods,
· Registration of coaches and referees from approved courses,
· League structure,
· Competition levels and structure,
· Selection of National Representative Teams,
· Representation of the sport,
· Even the licensing of safe equipment for the players.

The providing of a national body relies on the cooperation and acceptance of the playing members primarily, followed by the coaches and referees, finally the administrators.

Arguing about individual organisations is futile, choice is a freedom and should be catered for. The broader the base for a Governing body the better chance of its survival and the stronger its support.

[MDE3]

Excellent points. We do seem to have a forest and tree problem at times here.

There should be as you say an NGB covering hockey in all it's forms with separate boards of directors for inline and ice, doubling up on capabilities where common ground is possible and practical.

[midwestrh]

We already have 2 NGB's for hockey in the US, USA Hockey is NGB for ice hockey and USARS/AAU is the NGB for roller, whether you like it or not MDE3. so lets just move on to something else.

[johnny2suede]

What I find really bs about USA Hockey is that it took them so long to finally admit that USARS is the NGB of the sport of roller hockey. If it wasn't for the new director of USA Hockey finally coming out and admitting it, USA Hockey INLINE would be trying to carry that big lie forever.

Hey Danny, why don't you support your NGB and register your teams with USARS. Come on, support your NGB. LOL.

[calselect89s]

Johnny and Midwest
I don't understand how either of these organizations can claim or dub the other the "NGB" of roller hockey, when neither will set foot in California. If they want to ignore the hotbed of roller hockey with the largest purse in the country, they will fail. There has to be a compromise and they have to reach out to this state. Until then California will continue to play only good quality tournaments and avoid USA and USARs altogether.

[JohnChapman]

As usual the problem is viewed from only one view by its readers, my point was that Roller Hockey needs to be inclusive of all its players and stand alone from ice even if using their assistance in such as coaching. Your point about the lack of representation with in California high lights my point, if the players in the state wish to be represented seperatly on a national body there should the provision. Be inclusive.

[calselect89s]

John
I believe the players and teams here want to be represented. I agree that USA Hockey's ice involvement creates conflicts, but USARS is not single dimensional towards roller hockey. The powers that be, need to agree on how to organize the sport and create a NGB. I don't think you can go out and self proclaim yourself the NGB and expect people to join.

[midwestrh]

calselect89s, Dude we already have a NGB (USARS), it just needs to be fixed. I believe that they handed the job over to aau so that it could get straightened out, so give them time.
Cali did not get left out in the cold, cali has not showed a whole lot interest to do any thing other than TPC, Narch and topcat. The AAU will do a better job than usars, just give them a chance to prove it and show your interest by contacting them about bringing more tournaments to cali, but more importantly show up and support those tournaments when they do come.
The tought of creating a new NGB more than likely isn't happening, so give it up. Send your thoughts and opinions on what you think they can do to better the sport for all of inline hockey regardless.
www.aaauhockey.org

[johnny2suede]

A big problem with USA Hockey Inline and USARS is that they are faceless. That is, both organizations are letters and not people. Both organizations have a fast revolving door of head guys who put in some time and then move on.

What's the big deal with USARS/AAU coming to California to put on a tournament? Does Cali need an NGB for that? So should teams give them a shot because they're an NGB? Of course not.

NARCH and Pacific Cup have helped build California to the point where it is now. Topcat also has a long term following. So should an NGB come in and compete with those organizations? I don't think so. Those organizations have done an outstanding job, along with good rinks and good rink management to develop California into the biggest and best region in the world for the sport. If all an NGB is going to do is put on another tournament, then why does California need USARS/AAU?

So the question is: California is a mature, solid inline hockey market with professionally run rinks, the best tournaments in the country with the most teams and players who support the sport.

WHAT CAN USARS/AAU DO TO BETTER INLINE HOCKEY IN CALIFORNIA?

And more importantly, assuming there is substance beyond USARS/AAU just running another tournament, just who are the heavyweights in USARS/AAU who will sit down with the powers to be in California and make what is already good even better.

Please give names along with their credentials in the sport. Breakaway from those letters and bring faces and personalities to the table and maybe, just maybe, USARS/AAU might be given a little more credibility as it has very little right now.

[Defense1st]

The Chair of AAU is Keith Noll, he can be reached at [email protected]; as MidwestRH posted the web address is www.aauhockey.org; and you can find contact info their also. You can also find the information on their High School sanctioning, membership information for individuals and club, regionals, Junior Olypmics, AAU/USARS USA Championships, FIRS Championships, Men's and Women's Championships. IN reference to Mr. Noll, I have never heard anyone say he turned down or did not return, their phone call or emai,l if he was not available at the initial time of contact. He will also listen to or analyze anything one has to contribute before giving a response. Whether positive or negative. Always remember things below the surface are never the same as things in plain view to the purchasing public. We all are not privy to what forces are working behind the scenes to better opur sport and to make it more inclusive.

In relations to California, it is a 2 way street; AAU did 2 regionals last year in Cali, and this year they have 4 scheduled. Now its up to the teams to participate and show they want to be part of the NGB. The Pacific Division Champion of the USARS/AAU Olympic Rings Series of tournaments is entitled to the same 1/2 price entry in the USARS/AAU Championship as is the winner of any other region.

On antother note: Tony Abate from Torhs tried to have a regional in Cali last year and teams were "told" by the home tournaments series their would be "problems" if they particpated. Then they scheduled a "giveaway" based tournament the same weekend which was not on their schedule originally. In addition when Torhs cancelled their regional, this same series moved or re-offered their "giveaways" in cinjunction with another tournament previously scheduled. This point was well discussed on another message board. Is that how you build the sport of Roller Hockey?

Mr. Chapman's main point in my interpretation was inclusive not exclusive. I think we can all agree to that.

AAU/USARS has now come out with an "all-inclusive" High School program; maybe someone in Cali can get the High School powers that be to contact Keith and get someone included on their board; or is it that they just don't want to participate? Maybe before everyone bashes organizations they should go to all the websites for the organizations, truly read what they do and do not offer, then make an informed personal decsion, and not rely on what they have been told. That is what Daniel Guard has done and he chose USAHIl at this point. He has also stated, on other posts that recently he spoke with Keith Noll for 45 minutes and Keith was very forthcoming and open. Daniel has stated that he is willing to look at the changes AAU/USARS is making and has made and review his choices. I am a supporter, of AAU in the Non-Profit choices. In my area of the country past history with USAHIL has not been good as a support group, an insurer, or a sanctioning body. AAU has done everything they have promised and more. If USAHIL wants to try and increase their membership in my part of the country they will need to really work hard to unseat all the good work and assistance AAU has given.


Just my .99 cents worth of opinion.

[MDE3]

You seem to miss my point.......I am agreeing with Mr. Chapman in the sense that there could be one NGB for all of hockey, both inline and ice, but divided by separate boards of directors. In this way the more important elements of running a national inline program, other than it's tournament series, can evolve by piggy backing on administrative and organizational talent and capabilities already present.

I have typed more than a few posts on the subject, but my point is this......the true purpose of an NGB is the DEVELOPMENT OF THE SPORT......not a watering contest to see who has the best tournaments or the best players............that is only an ego trip.

Whichever organization is given the responsibility of resusitating the life of this sport, must be capable of providing the development foundations (meaning increasing the number of participants at all levels but particularily at the "grass roots level&quot. This will happen not by virtue of commercial tournaments, but through league play on a local basis - whether at a high school level, a house level, or a travel league level, consistancy of coaching support (read training), consistancy of rules invocation and application(officials training) etc. etc.

From these solid foundations a truly representative "national tournament series" will evolve, but that is a by-product, not the purpose of the exercise.

Trying to create an NGB based on the success of an organization's tournaments is trying to develop a sport from the top down instead of the bottom up, and is doomed to failure because the pyramid of participation becomes inverted....... as is happening now, and the sport will die!

Growth is the absolute and fundamental issue facing this sport, and (almost) all I see in here are debates over whose region is best, which tournament series is best, which organization is best, where the best players play, etc. etc. This is like an elementary schoolyard argument at recess between kids.

Whichever current organization, or synthesis of current organizations, that is best qualified to effect this growth, will get my vote.

[Alexander]

In my humble opinion, your vision for an NGB in inline hockey is right on! And in the U.S., it would appear that USA Hockey Inline is currently leading the way.

Marty

[umroller]

The problem is that under the U.S. Amateur Sports Act a NGB can only be the NGB for one sport. USA Hockey is already the NGB for ice hockey. USA Hockey Inline is a part of USA Hockey and is not a separate organization. Therefore USA Hockey Inline cannot be the NGB for roller hockey officially yet. From what I understand it would be tough for USA Hockey Inline to break off into its own organization because of funding issues (it gets a lot of funding from USA Hockey).

[midwestrh]

You must be the smartest guy on this meesage board. All that info and such a short post. USAHIL lovers too bad so sad, I guess your stuck with USARS/AAU.

[Alexander]

I see (Canadian you know). Seems like some one is splitting hairs. Are there no exceptions? So how is all the skiing sports handled then (e.g., downhill, slalom)? Hockey is hockey, regardless of whether inline or ice skates are used. Thus, I could see where there could be one NGB that includes both ice hockey and inline hockey. Marty in Alberta