|
Robert Keller
IPF Cat I Referee
Member, IPF Tech.Comm.
|
In this issue of Powerlines, I shall discuss the following topics which shall include the following: Sportsman; Doping Control and provide updates to you from John Stephenson, regarding the IPF Technical Rules.
Prior to discussing the above issues, I would like to begin by acknowledging the performance of the following referees for their exemplary service to the organization. They are international referees Jack Marcus, George Bartotti, and Regina Hackney. Each has volunteered many long hours of officiating, and in the case of Regina Hackney, has officiated several sessions directly after she has completed with her lifting. All have volunteered and assisted with doping control as well - Great Job and thank you!
I would also like to thank two of meet promoters that have recently directed two big time meets for the organization - Dr. Mike Hartle for directing the 2005 IPF World Juniors in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and Mr. Harold Gaines for directing the USAPL Bench Press Nationals in St. Louis, Missouri. In the case of Dr. Hartle's championship, I would like thank the many countless volunteers that stepped forward at the last minute to assist with the direction of the championship. They include most notably your president and vice-president of the federation - Dr. Larry Maile and Johnny Graham, who stepped forward to assist with the loading and spotting at the championship. It is not often that we see this form of leadership, and I wanted to point out that when duty called, they rolled up their sleeves and stepped forward to make the contest a success. Basically, in a nutshell, they would not ask anyone to do something they would not do themselves. Gentlemen, we salute you! Finally, I would like to recognize the efforts of Al and Brenda Siegel as well Erin Dickey - Super job and many thanks.
Harold Gaines is one of our newest National Championship contest directors and is rapidly moving through the ranks with two very successful national championships now under his belt. I have been to both of his championships and they are quite good and he after each outing continues to improve his equipment, technology and staff training -- A sign of a successful contest director. He is constantly improving his model and methods to ensure the best championship possible. One of Harold's strongest points is that he is surrounded by a staff of young, eager, and enthusiastic people that want to produce a high quality product for the organization and for the members. We thank that Gaines family and supporters.
If you are interested in directing a contest for the USAPL contact either the National Office or your state chairman. For most people that I know that direct contests, it is a thrill of a lifetime and is quite fun once you get the hang of it. If you have aspirations of becoming a contest director, my recommendation is that you begin small with just a bench press only contest maybe at your local health club or YMCA, then graduate to a push/pull meet, then to a full powerlifting championship. A potential director can then graduate and progress onward to state and then national level championships as his equipment and experience grows.
Sportsmanship
The first topic I would like to address is the concept of sportsman. I can not stress the importance of sportsmanship and professional at all of our championships - regardless of the standing and venue. It is essential that all athletes, coaches, referees, and officials maintain their decorum when a situation arises that may not be in favor of your lifter. At no time should referees or officials be yelled at or intimidated. If a disagreement arises they should address it calmly with the jury. In no jury is present, the chief referee of the championship shall resolve the matter and make the decision. Once the jury makes their decision regarding the matter - as per the IPF Technical rules - the ruling is final. Our senior level lifters and officials have the responsibility of being role models for our teen and junior lifters and it is important that the senior lifters maintain the integrity of the sport for generations to come. I thank you for your support and assistance in this matter.
Doping Control
USA Powerlifting plans to certify more doping control officers [DCO] to assist with the drug-testing at our championships. We shall begin with our international referees and national referees to make this a reality. All of our referees should have some form of working knowledge as to how to perform doping control. Under the direction of Dr. Maile and Johnny Graham, we currently have a certification program that I am reviewing to ensure that our testing procedures are flawless. I shall discuss more concerning this matter in future articles. If you wish to assist with the doping controls at our championships, please contact me directly, and we shall schedule you for the course. Drug-testing is the cornerstone and foundation of our organization and it is important that we perform these procedures professionally and to the very best of our abilities. Each test is important to each athlete and it is important that we get it right all of the time.
Final Thoughts
Once again, USA Powerlifting will hold and direct several major national and international championships that shall take place prior to the end of the year -- The IPF Men's World Powerlifting Championships in Miami, Florida and the American Open Powerlifting Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you are an official and have not had the chance to referee a championship, please make plans to attend one or more of these championships, especially, if you have not been able to attend a competition this year. There are [always] plenty of opportunities for state, national and international referees to assist with all of these championships. Moreover, if you have considered becoming a referee, attend a championship and ask to sit in with another experienced referee to review the rules.
To close, I would like to conclude by saying that as our membership grows, there is going to be a call for more championships, and contest directors. Likewise, there shall also be a need for referees. So, please take the time to print the rules from the IPF homepage, review them, and schedule yourself for an examination with Mr. Bill Clayton. One of us will be glad to schedule you for an examination.
I look forward to seeing and working with you at one of our future championships!
Kind and sincere regards,
Robert H. Keller
IPF Category I Referee
Member, IPF Technical Committee
Member, IPF Doping Commission
Interim Technical Chair - USA Powerlifting
IPF Technical Committee Newsletter NO 5 - John Stephenson
Commonwealth Championships
The inaugural Commonwealth Championships held in Northumberland England on the 9th 10th 11th September, were a huge success. All credit to Fred McKenzie Meet Director and Fund Raiser, and Peter Fiore Director of Powerlifting Great Britain and their teams.
A little short of 100 lifters from eleven nations competed - Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, India, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Pakistan, Republic of South Africa, Scotland and Wales. Nigeria who nominated a team failed to show. Sri Lanka too, who were offered one all expenses paid trip by the Meet Director to a lifter as a nice gesture following the Tsunami disaster did not take up the offer. No doubt there would have been more if this meet had not clashed with the IPF Junior Worlds.
Team England, both male and female fielding the larger teams understandably took the major trophies. Trophies donated by the IPF were awarded to best male and female lifter on the Wilks formula, again, both going to England. Drug testing took place - 10 per cent of the lifters being tested.
It is proposed that these Championships will be held every two years - Bids already having been received from Australia and Fiji. A Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation has been formed and formal application will be / has been made to the IPF. The IPF was formed with only 7 nations and now registers close to 100. One can forsee the Commonwealth Championships becoming a major attraction on the IPF calendar and increasing in numbers dramatically.
IPF Referees
Dress - The Technical Committee have received complaints recently that some referees on the International Stage, are appearing improperly dressed - One allegedly in T-Shirt and trainers. The jury must not let this happen. It is part of their duty to see that all platform personnel are properly (by the book) attired.
Rules
It is surprising that there are a number of referees who are not keeping up-to-date with the rule changes that have been made over the years, even Category 1's sitting on the jury. Everything that one needs to know may be loaded down from the IPF Website i.e. Techncial Rules where all of the up-dates are printed in the rear. Rule Interpretation and Platform Referee Brief and our regular Newsletter.
Category 1 Examination
Category 2 referees wishing to be considered for the Cat 1 Exam must use the application form and comply with the regulations as printed. Access is via the IPF Web Site. Once achieving the red badge, no doubt one will be asked to sit on the jury making sure that the Technical Rules are being applied correctly, and having to make some decisions that coaches and managers are opposed to. Do not be intimidated. You and your colleagues on "the bench" have supreme control in any dispute.
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORT TO CONGRESS 2005
It hardly seems a year ago that I was writing our report to Congress 2004.
We have continued to keep members of the IPF informed with our regular newsletter and total transparency.
As Chairman of the Technical Committee I sat on two occasions in meetings of the Executive Committee putting our views across on matters of - proposals to Congress, clarifications, and interpretations of many Technical Rules. No doubt the "moratorium" (no new supportive shirts or suits) of two years from the date of this 2005 Congress, was one of the biggest issues.
The "IPF Approved" insignia to be printed on all forthcoming supportive shirts and suits will make for a better understanding at equipment checks.
An almost daily influx of e-mails concerning rules and allied subjects has been answered promptly to the best of the Chairman's ability.
Referee/Jury selection has been made by the Technical Committee at 5 world Championships throughout this past year, and at the time of writing the Chairman is to conduct the Technical Meeting of the inaugural Commonwealth Championships in England. Depending on the success of this meet it could be added to the IPF calendar, possibly biennially.
We have kept excellent relations with IPF Approved manufacturers and thank them for their confidence in our integrity when assessing potential approvals.
Our referee registrar Goran Gunnarsson continues to do an excellent job. Administrator of the International Referees Examination, he has supplied the following figures.
Cat 1: India 1; Italy 2; Ukraine 2; and Hungary 1
Cat 2: France 2; USA 7; Luxembourg 2; Canada 2; Finland 1; Denmark 2; Great Britain 3; Kazakhstan 1; Hong Kong 2; Iran 1; Japan 1; Uzbekistan 1; Germany 1; and India 1
Members of the Technical Committee have conducted many of these examinations.
IPF Referees as at 20-08-05 (by region)
Europe 271, Africa 9, Asia 65, Oceania 19, Americas 77 - Total 441
Congress 2006 will examine the technical Rules (generally) once again. There is a move to simplify them. This may mean some deletions. Nations will be asked to forward to the Technical Committee bona fide suggestions. Please do not repeat proposals that have failed miserably in the past.
My thanks to members of the Technical Committee, who have made input and to the IPF Treasury for all funding.
To close, we shall continue to uphold the good name of the IPF and take care of our duties as prescribed.
John Stephenson
Chairman IPF Technical Committee
Rules Congress 2006
As has been mentioned in our report to Congress 2005, next year, proposals in regard to the Technical Rules will be considered by both the Technical Committee and Executive Committee. Those with merit will be put before delegates. Already we have received suggestions to reduce the excessive arch in the Bench Press. There is also a suggestion that some detail in respect to Bar and Foot movement which referees find difficult in observing, or interpretation of the rule, should be removed.
Suits and Shirts (Supportive)
As was reported in our last newsletter, the 90 day period of grace allowed to manufacturers before the new system of approvals comes into force will end/ended on the 13th October 2005. During this period Titan Support Systems Inc presented a new material named NXG Super Plus, a shirt and two costumes, one of which was approved by a former committee many years ago, but, not put into production. All received IPF Approval. Inzer Advanced Designs presented a shirt and costume - Both receiving IPF Approval.
The two year moratorium now begins i.e. no new approvals of shirts and suits until congress 2007. During this two year period manufacturers may forward new designs for safety testing to the Japanese Powerlifting Federation c/o Susumu Yoshida who has been designated to carry out this duty by the E.C. and T.C. " His" findings will be presented to both committees. All who have the pleasure of knowing Susumu will feel assured that " his " opinion is completely unbiased.
John Stephenson
Chairman IPF Technical Committee
|
