age limits?!?!?

[Wayne]

It hate the fact that you have to be age 19 to participate in the worldrps tournement held in toronto, canada.

Why age limits? Roshambo winery doesn't have a age limit...

And being 16 (almost) , it's very hard to participate in RPS activities...

[Master Roshambollah]

Good question, Wayne.  I wish there was a good answer.

As it stands, organizations like the World RPS Society get a lot of the money to host major tournaments from corporate sponsorship of events.  The prevailing model has been to use beer sponsors.  This approach has been used, with varying degrees of success, at Toronto's World Championship, the DC Nationals, the NE Classic, the Keystone Classic and the Philadelphia City League.  Corporate sponsorship is an undeniable fact of modern RPS competition.  Corporate money is usually needed to grease the wheels.  The number one reason beer companies provide sponsorship is typically to promote on-site sales (at least one survey I have read indicates that this reason supercedes advertising "impressions" and media attention.)  Given that one usually sells beer in a bar, and that the target demo for both beer drinkers and RPS competitors is in the 21-35 range, RPS competitions are usually held in large bars or clubs.  Most bars and clubs have strict rules regarding age, which reflect the strict state and local laws regarding underage drinking.

It remains unclear (to me, at least,) why greater efforts have not been made to seek sponsors outside of the prevailing alcohol model.  This would increase youth participation in the sport, which can only serve the future of RPS.  There are only a handful of major tournaments I can think of that have allowed players under 19:  the Roshambo Winery SW ProAms (Roshambo is not a bar, but a winery, which makes a huge difference, even though underage drinking is verboten,) the Norwegian North Pole Classic (their Street Champ is younger than you,) and the Burning Man Open (my own tournament, sadly demised, was the last major tournament held without corporate sponsorship, and the first World RPS Society sanctioned tournament.)

Until things change, you're mostly on your own.  It has long been a dream of mine to focus more on youth related tournaments, but unfortunately the gravy train is currently making stops only at tournaments serving adults and, yes, beer.  You may have to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, here.  Instead of waiting for the Sport to come to you, be an ambassador of the Sport.  Maybe start by arranging an all-school tournament.  Seek sponsorship from local businesses.  Maybe hold a tournament as a fund-raiser, or part of a school or local festival.  If this works out, maybe you can have a monthly or weekly RPS club meeting; other schools have done this.  Make a RPS club; look at the charters of other clubs in your school as a model.  If all goes well, get other schools in your area interested; before you know it, you may have a interscholastic varsity squad.

Of course, the Board and the Society is here to help you, but the Sport helps those who help themselves.  Many hands make for light work.  United there is little we cannot do.

[R Cohrs]

Wayne,
Age limits make sense in an environment saturated with alchohol.  In Canada, I believe the legal drinking age is 19, which is why they would choose that age.  Many concerts and other activities that involve alcohol have 18 or over, 21 or over, or all ages shows.  I'm not saying that just because you're a teenager, you're going to drink, but if you do drink, than that casts a bad light on the World RPS society.  I think that the Society has good members, but who knows if a random stranger is going to walk in to try to get an underage kid inebriated, leading to a possible horrific outcome.  You could even drink by accident, such as in a case where your cup is misplaced with an alcoholic beverage.  While I don't necessarily agree with the age limits our country sets to drink alcohol (the highest in the world, and 2 years higher than Canada), I do believe that age limits for events like concerts and World RPS helps keep everyone safe.  You mentioned that there are tournaments open to all ages, which would be a good way to practice for the 2009 or 2010 World Championships.

[Dr. Helliose Zastro]

As it stands, organizations like the World RPS Society get a lot of the money to host major tournaments from corporate sponsorship of events.

It should be remembered that much of the time organizers end up financing a significant portion of tournaments out of their own pockets.  Master Rosh, you should know this as well as anyone.  I have yet to meet a tournament organizer who got into the RPS biz for the money.

[custardchuk]

In a strange twist of fate, last night the organiser of the Australian RPS Titles emailed me. He is coming to Darwin and may need a room and a lend of a car. In exchange he can give me VIP tickets to an Air Guitar Championship.
It ain't much, but I think it all he has. I don't think he will be collecting me in the limo, most likely I will be picking him up in mine.

regards
custardchuk

By the way: What is it with these Air Guitar guys. They can't be serious, can they? Pretending to play a guitar, that they don't have, like it is something that matters. I'm going just to watch the circus but I just can't seem to take it seriously.

[Jef Hallestone]

It hate the fact that you have to be age 19 to participate in the worldrps tournement held in toronto, canada.

Wayne, don't believe everything you read. The World Championships did not actually have an age limit last year. Case in point, most of Team Norway were under the age of 19.

[R Cohrs]

What is it with these Air Guitar guys. They can't be serious, can they? Pretending to play a guitar, that they don't have, like it is something that matters. I'm going just to watch the circus but I just can't seem to take it seriously.

Custardchuk,
   I saw the air guitar players on Conan one night, and it was pretty ridiculous.  The best one on the show was absolutely awful, and the worst one looked so awkard that I almost burst my sides laughing.  Their chord changes were all wrong, and forget about the arpeggios, scales, and solos.  I think the real air guitar champions are Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, and George Karlin, as evidenced by their roles in the Bill and Ted movies.  Maybe Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in their Wayne's World roles.  Why not have air drumming, or air tuba playing, or air cymbals?

[Wayne]

no age limit last year? the rules clearly says 19 or older.

[C. Urbanus]

I have yet to meet a tournament organizer who got into the RPS biz for the money.

Well, then I've had the "pleasure" of meeting one that you haven't.

Master Rosh might know who I'm talking about. (it isn't Rosh)

[Jef Hallestone]

no age limit last year? the rules clearly says 19 or older.

The Norway kids got in on some sort of technicality. I guess they have good coach...or a great laywers.

Urbanus: Exactly.

[Munch]

You shouldn't be playing with scissors at your age!!You might take an eye out!!