Question about being a tournament director

[central.PA.bass]

Hey all,

I just joined my local bass club last year and had a fairly decent year of fishing.  Our tournament director is stepping down and he asked me if I would take his spot.  I have a lot on my hands as I am the youngest member of the club(22 yrs old) and a graduate student.  I would love to do it, and eventually, it might help me take over the job as president of the club someday. 

I am just wondering if anyone has experience with tournament directing for a small club (about 20 active members) and what it takes.  Any help would be appreciated!  thanks

[J Francho]

You're getting set up.  I'd mentor as a tournament safety inspector or somethin before taking that slot over.

[central.PA.bass]

You're getting set up. I'd mentor as a tournament safety inspector or somethin before taking that slot over.

could you please elaborate? 

[dink]

I started hosting small tournaments a few years back, drawing only a handful of boats initially.  This last year that number increased substantially.  Since this happened over a three year period, I was able to learn along the way fairly easily. The most important thing I learned was preparation.  The more I prepared for worst case scenarios, the better off I was. 

As a tourney director, be ready to coordinate everything from the first sign-up to the final award presentation.  I prefer to sign up all my contestants on the final weigh-in sheet.  This eliminates copying from one paper to another.  I also always have someone else recieve and account for entry monies for accuracy.  As I sign people up, I inform contestants of the pre-tournament meeting and livewell check.  This keeps everyone on the same page.  Having helpers to check livewells also helps to expedite the process and leaves some spare time for late comers or unforseen events (i.e. weather, power outages, etc.)  This prep allows for a quick and effortless take-off.  When the time comes to weigh in, I already have the scales ready to be set up in very little time.  I limit the number of bags in the scale area so as not to create a crowd and confusion.  I also have a neutral party watching the scale display for fairness.  After all fish are weighed, I retreat away from the crowd to calcualte weights and prizes.  Finally, I try to be very inclusive with award presentations.  This just makes a little more fun and keeps it loose. 

Hopefully this will get you going in the right direction.  Good luck.

dink

[J Francho]

You're getting set up. I'd mentor as a tournament safety inspector or somethin before taking that slot over.

could you please elaborate?

Its a tough role, and being new to the club, even tougher. You will never make everyone happy, and at some point someone will get ticked off. I recommend mentoring under an experienced TD, either as an assistant or some role closely related, like safety director or something, to learn the ropes. As TD, you'll have to make on the spot judgments and interpretations of the rules. You'd think it would be straight forward, but it isn't always. Its just a tough job, and although I commend anyone that steps up to the plate and takes on a higher role in a club, I don't think TD is the place to start. But who knows - you may end up being great at it.

[whoopbazz]

JimmyMo,

There is some paperwork that should be worked on together the first time. Tournament apps, state reports are easy onjce you fill one out. The trick is knowing what office to send your paperwork to.

I have been and am the TD for our club. Shoot me PM if you need some help.

[central.PA.bass]

JimmyMo,

There is some paperwork that should be worked on together the first time. Tournament apps, state reports are easy onjce you fill one out. The trick is knowing what office to send your paperwork to.

I have been and am the TD for our club. Shoot me PM if you need some help.

Thanks a lot.. i'm gonna give our current President/tourney director a call this weekend and talk some things over...  i'll let you know what i decide and i'll contact you if i have any questions..

again i appreciate it

[bocraw]

JimmyMo, Tournament Director is a thankless job.   I would not do it based on what you said.   

[bassnleo]

JimmyMO, I'm the TD for the PA Federation district that surrounds NW PA, right around and North of SRU

(of which I'm also a grad ).

Feel free to PM me with any questions.

It's really not that difficult of a position.

[TimJ]

I'm with bassnleo...it's not a difficult job, but it is, as stated, thankless.

To repeat what has been said, be prepared. Know your rules. Prior to the event, let the anglers know rules that may be specific to the event, even if you think they know.

My experience came with a competitor speeding in a no-wake zone. After clearly stating the areas and rules in those areas, everyone agreed that they understood. It was a black and white call to penalize the team...and they had winning weight. Some friends of theirs couldn't understand but all of the competitors did and that's what counted.

We don't have any apps or provincial paperwork here in Ontario...yet...so that makes it easier.

I guess it's like being an umpire or ref...know the rules , make a call and stick with it. Good luck.

TJ

[central.PA.bass]

thanks for the advice guys.. im still up in the air on what Im gonna do...  I am going to fish the Fishers of Men PA division as well as my local club tournies..  However, I will be more dedicated to the 5 FOM tournies because there is more money involved... i am probably not going to be able to fish all of the club tournies so i dont think it would be fair to the other members for me to take the position and not be able to attend every tourney (we have 11). 

Thoughts?

[Grey Wolf]

thanks for the advice guys.. im still up in the air on what Im gonna do... I am going to fish the Fishers of Men PA division as well as my local club tournies.. However, I will be more dedicated to the 5 FOM tournies because there is more money involved... i am probably not going to be able to fish all of the club tournies so i dont think it would be fair to the other members for me to take the position and not be able to attend every tourney (we have 11).

Thoughts?

It may cause problems if the tournament director didn't show up . Maybe.

[ProCrafter]

I might be late on this subject but here goes....I have been the TD for our club for 5 years collectively and have learned alot from my first year. Several things to consider.....

1. Credibility....being new to your club, you have minimal at best and this gives club skeptics ammunition when problems arise.

2. Experience....not necessarily TD experience but rather tournament experience...again this might get skeptics fired up.

3. Hecklers....also grouped with those skeptics....I mention these guys alot as they are there as mostly senior members who want THEIR CLUB run right and if turning the heat up on the new guy will ensure only a quality TD then so be it....being I was TD of the Oldest Bass Club in the US it was alot of stress on me the first year but if you can show good composure, fairness and a willingness to stand your ground based on the principles and rules set forth by the members them selves you will be fine......

Points to success....

A. Study and know ALL the Rules.

B. Be Prompt and Un-Yielding

C. Make it Fun for all! A fun time will lift your confidence and build it with others and break down barriers of skeptics-Hecklers allowing the event to move smoothly!

Biggest Point....dont hesitate to ask the members for help....clubs are a collaborative and people feel hurt when an activity is allowed to fail when no call for assistance is issued and come Re-election time it will be remembered!