I have been reminded of the challenges and frustration that bowlers and coaches feel in our sport. Those challenges and frustration create a culture and a repetitive circle that may seem new to those that are young, but make no mistake about it, those feelings are not new and they will not go away on their own. It takes years to understand why that circle continues, and by that time, most individuals decide to just give up and throw in the towel. The love for the foundation of our sport does not go away, the frustration just gradually drowns the desires and ultimately a choice is made. My choice has been made and I present it by encouraging those that want to break the circle of complaining to take steps in a positive direction. By now most of you have heard of BowlU, but recent actions have encouraged me to provide an outline of what BowlU is and the steps we are taking for the "Growth of our Sport and the Development of its Athletes"
First it is important to understand that we are in this together, there is no desire to separate or exclude anybody with the same passion and desire. I have the utmost respect for my peers and the positions they hold within the industry. I have chosen this route because our present combination of sport and industry is missing a very important cog in the mechanical process of our future development. I am not focused on saying somebody is not doing their job and I am not calling out any individual or organization. What I am saying is that we need a new position with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts of recreation, sport, and industry. I am not saying the individuals of our governing body (USBC), our most powerful partners (BPAA), and our industry providers (The manufacturers) are not intelligent and hard working people, I know these individuals and I believe in them. I will say that each of these 3 organizations have business objectives and focus that should be strongly biased towards the majority, which will always be recreational. On the opposite end we already have an organization that is focused on providing a stage for the elite level of our sport (PBA). What we do not have is a position to focus and build the structure in between.
If you want an outline for the plans of what BowlU has in store, keep reading, I will highlight them here, but the short statement is that there is no doubt in my mind that our recreation, our sport, and our industry needs to fill this position and the most qualified person to do this is me. I would not normally be so direct on making that personal statement but like my good friend Patrick Allen would say "It is what it is mop"
Here is the brief outline of BowlU's game plan:
1. Build a foundation for continued learning and make it logistically sound and cost effective for everyone, which has been done through the BowlU website.
2. Build structure and order to the learning environment, which has been done through the BowlU website.
3. Initiate the development of definition for our sport so we are all working in the same direction, which has been done through the BowlU website.
4. Define the uniqueness of our sport, develop pride in this uniqueness, refine the presentation to showcase this uniqueness, and market this uniqueness, which has been done through the BowlU website.
5. Create a learning environment that is rewarding and fun, which has been done through the BowlU Skill Development Camps
6. Provide a protected environment to separate those that share true passion and purpose for knowledge and experience from those that instinctively judge and criticize for personal gain, which has been done through the BowlU website and social media forums.
7. Work with the sport and industry multilaterally to assure our mission is clear. Which I will continue to do with everything I do.
8. Invite all those who want to participate an easy opportunity to join, which has been done through the BowlU website.
9. Certify learning and encourage positive production. Which is starting at this year’s WSOB as we host our first certification opportunity.
10. Offer new and unique competition environments with formats that focus on the entire skill sets of the athlete, which is being done by working with other worldwide coaches as we prepare for our first public competition during the month of November.
11. Redefine the sport to allow recreation to stay the same. This way there is a distinct separation between sport and recreation without telling the majority (recreation) they suck and have to get worse so the minority (sport) can feel better about themselves. This is being done by exploring competitive environments that encompass formats, presentation, scoring, specifications, and other creative thoughts gathered from the knowledge and experience of worldwide coaches and players.
12. Build a competitive staircase for bowlers to follow, which will debut in 2014.
13. To develop an event around competitions, training, and education that will encourage participation from media, business partners, fans, youth, parents, and potential sponsors that know nothing about our sport. We are presently garnering support and strength to make it happen asap by focusing on the logistical challenges and productive intentions for those involved.
14. Connect regional competition, training, and education, to national and international efforts. 2014 will showcase the ground work being done through regional events scheduled each month.
15. Develop an environment around competition that encourages those watching (no matter what knowledge level they are at) to choose a favorite and showcase support and loyalty. This is the cumulative result of our other goals.
For this to happen we need your support and encouragement. Our hope is that you join the BowlU efforts so these things can happen quicker. Our approach has been to let the momentum and strength grow with the passion of others. As we prepare for our next phase we ask that you share this status with your friends so the momentum continues.
Rick Benoits Facebook Post about BowlU.
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