Sanctioning for the Internationals

[Master Roshambollah]

Times sure have changed.  When I held the first World RPS Society sanctioned tournament (the 2001 Burning Man Open) the sanctioning guidelines were a lot simpler, if more time consuming.  In those days, one typically had to begin the submission process six months prior to the actual tournament, resubmit as applications were lost, issue a Standard Retraction Form S1-11 when the original was refound, and generally kill an entire deciduous forest in paperwork.  Those were simpler times.

Now there are more stringent and streamlined guidelines for tournament sanctioning, which is probably a good thing.  The one clause that I find confusing is this one:

You must provide your winner with transportation and accommodation to attend the World Championships

This makes sense, but how does this relate to the World Championships in Toronto?  In order to qualify for World RPS Society sanctioning, are the tournament organizers now providing transportation and accommodation for the previous year's champion?  If not, does this mean that the Society cannot legally sanction its own tournament?

I will be eternally grateful if anyone can clarify this issue for me.

[Wayne]

Why don't you just ask Douglas and Graham Walker themselves?

honestly, i don't understand your question. lol

[Jef Hallestone]

Who the heck are doug and Graham. I don;t see their names anywhere on the bullboard?

[Brad Fox]

You ever see the phonebook of a release form they make the Worlds winner sign Rosh? I'll bet you my World's bonus that somewhere in there a portion of the prize fee is an advance on next years fees.

That strikes me as the kind of double-dipping that Wojeck just loves. Come on, the man calculates what portion of the free coffee in Trinity square counts as a "taxable benefit".

Incidentally Jef, Doug and Graham are those two guys who hang around the office all year and never seem to do anything. Around the officiary departments they're better known simply as "the cronies".

[Wayne]

Douglas and Graham Walker  are also the author of the Official strategy guide of Rock Paper Scissors. wtf, how can anyone not know who they are??

[Master Roshambollah]

Wayne - I'll make it simple for you:

-The International World Championship (IWC) is a World RPS Society sanctioned event.
-The official sanctioning guidelines indicate that a World RPS Society sanctioned event must pay for the winner's travel expenses to the next IWC.
-Therefore, the IWC must pay for the winner's travel expenses to next year's event or lose its "sanctioned" status.

Since the majority of IWC players reside in Toronto (owing to the tournament's "Open" status,) this would probably mean no more than the cost of a cab ride and a room at the Best Western by the airport.  I'm just curious as to the official stance on this matter.

Jef - You moron.  Everyone knows that Graham Walker is the Director of Management of the WRPSS and Douglas Walker is the Managing Director.  Or vice versa.  I can never remember which is which.  They are also good guys, and great friends.

Brad - thanks for the clarification.  I think that's a pretty good gimmick, one that should be incorporated into the plans of every tournament organizer:

RPS Champ:  "It's next year already.  Where's my plane ticket and room reservations?"
RPS Organizer:  "Well, if you take a look at the release form you signed last year, you agreed that a portion of your prize money would be used for your hotel and plane."
RPS Champ:  "Why you dirty..."

This sounds like a great way for organizers to plump up the apparent prize value of a tournament.  Winning, say, a grand and a trip to Toronto sounds pretty good, until one realizes that one has to shell out about half of the amount for the "free" trip to the next IWC.

[Brad Fox]

Douglas and Graham Walker  are also the author of the Official strategy guide of Rock Paper Scissors. wtf, how can anyone not know who they are??

You'll find we rip on them a fair bit Wayne since they're too "famous" and "busy" and "rich" to hang out with us plebes on the Bullboard. Unless they need something from us... then they buy us free meatloaf dinners and say things like "I'm sorry the Street RPS thing got so out of hand last year, it will never happen again".

Of course they're usually lying through their teeth, but we've come to expect that from them.

In three COMPLETELY UNRELATED NOTES the officiary department is now once again it's own department, and no longer reporting to IT. Also, I have decided that it is in the best interests of my family and junior referees to accept the position as Head Referee for the worlds again this year despite my (public) differences with the society last year. Additionally, the meatloaf at the Rebel House restraunt in Rosedale is excellent.

[Master Roshambollah]

I welcome your return to the officiating stage this year, Brad.  As perhaps the greatest referee in modern RPS (the pre-modern era ending with Chuck "Stripes" Walla,) few other than you recognize the heavy burden placed on the head referee's...um, head.  

I'll second you on the meatloaf at the Rebel House, by the way.  Graham turned me on to it the first or second time I made it up for the IWC.  Fantastic stuff, almost as good as Jef's mother's meatloaf, and the imagery of crucified Mounties added just the right touch of charm.

[Midnight Rider]

Hey Brad, will the '06 Internationals use a best two of three sets or best three of five throws format?  Will all the referees be informed of this decision prior to the tournament this year?

[Brad Fox]

There's a new clause regarding "Mystery Rounds" which specifically apply to players wearing masks 'Rider...

All kidding aside, this years referesher course for the refs will prominently feature certain round one matches from last years worlds as an example of what *not* to do.