Promotion

[Brad Fox]

Before the society's internal correspondence starts leaking out of some of our more, opportunistic, bullboarders I thought I'd take a moment to finally publically share that I have accepted a promotion into the vacant position of "Grand Marshall" for this years World Championships.

While some have characterized this as a radical change in society leadership, the fact is that this position had been unfilled since 2007 and much of the responsibility of the Grand Marshall's office was being assumed by the tournament head referee (myself). Increasingly over the years I have been aware of the problem of too much concentration of power in one office, and have decided it's for both the good of the tournament and the officiary that I separate the two positions.

For those not aware the Grand Marshall is the final arbiter in all officiator matters at the World Championships as well as the office that handles logistics, rule implementation and the like. In terms of practical application I hope the only difference noticeable to the athletes is that I will not be calling an arena personally this year. I have not resigned my position as head of officiating for the Society (and in fact this position has more traditionally been held by the tournament Grand Marshall than the acting head referee).

This move will hopefully pro-actively eliminate any perceived impropriety of the oversight of tournament referees resting with an acting referee. Most importantly after five years as head referee of the tournament I felt it was time to allow other referees the growth and development that position has allowed me and to allow a broader range of opinions, background, and viewpoints into the society.

To that end, as my first act as official (non interim) Grand Marshall - I am pleased to appoint Senior Referee Rob Fox to the position of Head Referee for the 2009 Tournament.

Yours in jurisprudence,

[Franklint]

Thanks for clearing things up, Brad. The controversy was getting confusing.

It is very disappointing that I will never get to see you work in a tournament situation. I hear you are a very sharp-eyed referee. I must have you adjudicate a private game for me sometime, so I can see you in action.

Congratulations on your promotion! Good to hear your intentions for taking on the new post are noble and selfless. I wish you well in your new position.

Congratulations are also due for Rob Fox, our new head referee. I'm sure you'll fill the boots nicely.

See you in Toronto at some point!

Cheers,
Franklint

[C. Urbanus]

Eh, you've never played in the arena of Rob Fox.

Or else you would be talking differently.