[Daanz-dip] GongCon

[Tristan Lee]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dugal Ure" <Dugal.Ure at moldev.com>
> If a
> tournament is going to explicitly exclude certain people - anyone -
> from competing, that would otherwise be eligible for DAANZ awards
> under that year's rules, then it can't be affiliated by the DAANZ.

Dugal,

I think you are making a logical & valid point, esp insofar as it applies to 
the DAANZ awards (read: Bismark Cup).  However, I disagree with the 
conclusion, largely because I believe the awards/BC should NOT be the 
primary focus.

It is my longheld argument that the BC's function is to expand the tournmt 
scene and to make the whole process more fun; it's only a means to an end. 
The DAANZ function is the same: to expand the tournmt scene, etc.
Hence my assertion that ALL tournmts should be affiliated, unless there are 
some very compelling reasons not to.  And the impact an affiliation would 
have on the BC award is, I'd argue, not a reason to reject an event.
It comes down to a matter of priority.

Of course, if it is a choice between an event with restrictions, verses an 
event which has NO restrictions (e.g. if Shane Cubis announces an event at 
the same time and same place) then your argument leads us to choosing the 
latter.  Fine.
That's not the case here.  It's a choice between affiliating a tournmt with 
some restrictions, verses NOT having it on the schedule.  WHY have one less 
if they can have one more?... even if it is only 3/4 more?

It may well amount to altering the 'award' rules midway (and I'm not even 
conceding that), but so what even if it does?  We're here to play games. 
And the hobby organisation should support the event first, the awards 
second.

If bickering over the awards/Bismark Cup leads to a decision that an event 
is not affiliated, then I've argued that we should flatten the Cup and trash 
it.  It just gets in our way and creates arguments.
So although what you said was logically valid, personally I'd rather risk 
undermining the Bismark Cup system (which is secondary), than not to have an 
event to play at.  We're here to play games FIRST, and win awards SECOND. 
That's my argument.

Cheers,
T.