You are cordially invited to join the first hand and grip strength sporting association. The British Hand Strength Association aims to promote the proper foundation of a sports association founded along the ideas of promoting hand and grip strength as it is currently understood.
In time and with the support of its members it aims to get official recognition for events, lifts and records. This would be done via the media, via Guinness, and via other recognised strength sport bodies, groups and organisations. It hopes to offer a model for European and International Hand Strength associations which might follow. We welcome members from overseas under the BHSA auspice (subject to signing up and paying of the membership fee – please note they cannot set British records – further rules etc will be forthcoming as we grow) so as to encourage and not limit competition. The BHSA further encourages setting up of international associations which can work together and be affiliated with. Said associations allow for the setting of European and International records at BHSA events held in the UK.
Membership of the BHSA initially offers the following to members and promoters:
Members
1. A full 12 month calendar of events starting in January 2008 (calendar of events to follow).
2. Greater (monthly) opportunities to break records
3. The ability to break a record outside of the current all round competition structure (see calendar of events and exhibition lifts – rules and guidance to follow).
4. A means by which official approval of equipment can be gained, new lifts added (subject to BHSA approval and membership voting where applicable)
5. Official British record (BHSA record) recognition
6. An annual dinner and awards.
7. Subject to arrangements with sponsors and sellers or BHSA approved equipment said members may be able to get a discount on production of BHSA membership codes.
Promoters
1. Official BHSA approval of events, lifts and BHSA members
2. Guidance on event creation, promotion of event (via the calendar for example).
3. Provision of BHSA approved referees (see agenda re training to BHSA standard).
4. In the event of split decisions, tie breaks etc BHSA can step in and make decisions without the promoter being held responsible by members.
5. More to follow as input expands.
Sponsors
1. The potential for BHSA approved equipment only being manufactured and sold by approved sponsors only. Said equipment can only be used in BHSA approved events and for record attempts (subject to support).
2. Promotion of sponsor and or sales of BHSA approved equipment via BHSA site (to follow) as well as through their own (use of a ‘BHSA approved’ logo etc)
3. BHSA members will want to buy officially approved equipment
4. More frequent opportunity for exposure via both monthly events and exhibitions
5. And more…
Membership fees will be £10.00 per annum starting 1st January to 31st December (but to encourage start up we will expand from today to end of 2008)
Pay steve@britishhandstrengthassociation.org.uk via paypal
Special offer – the first 30 members to sign will get a copy of Steve Gardeners e-book on grippers.
Liability
To limit liability to the BHSA, its members, sponsors and promoters can I ask ALL members to print off and sign the following and post it to:
BHSA (sec)
c/o Steve Gardener
14 Hopewell Street
Gloucester
GL1 4HG
DISCLAIMER
In consideration of BHSA accepting my application for membership; I hereby release all claims for damages, losses and injuries that I may hold against the BHSA, their promoters, officials, coaches, referees and assistants whilst participating in any BHSA events.
Name (block capitals) ……………………..
Address
Door number / house name:
Street / road:
Town/City:
County:
Country:
Post Code / Zip Code:
Signed …………………..
Date __/__/____ (day/month/year)
Male or Female All-round contest record
A British Record in this section is achieved -
If you have beaten the previous record in a BHSA sanctioned Grip contest, which has 3 or more events in it. It also has to have at least 2 competitors. A supermatch event of 3 or more events will suffice.
The record attempt can feature anywhere in the order of the events. ie 1st or last event.
The weights will need to be either certified discs, or will have been weighed at a Post Office, and have a signed letter from the Post Office. Most quiet post offices will allow you to do this at a quiet time if you explain the situation. They may charge you; it is up to them. It is time consuming, but you only need to do it once and then it is done. It is also a great help in training as you can load up discs that are of a similar 'real' weight. No more benching with more weight on one side!
The steel and rules for bending events
Male or Female Single event record
A British Record in this section is achieved -
If you have beaten the previous record in a BHSA sanctioned Grip contest, record event, or exhibition.
The record event or exhibition has to have been organised and presented to the BHSA as an event at least 14 days prior to the date.
The weights will need to be either certified discs, or will have been weighed at a Post Office, and have a signed letter from the Post Office. Most quiet post offices will allow you to do this at a quiet time if you explain the situation. They may charge you; it is up to them. It is time consuming, but you only need to do it once and then it is done. It is also a great help in training as you can load up discs that are of a similar 'real' weight. No more benching with more weight on one side!
The steel and rules for bending events
Refereeing
A referee may use video help (if it's available) on a close decision (like the sport of rugby does). But he does not have to, it is purely his decision. If the referee does want to view a video replay, they will do this on their own.
The athlete should act in proper manner at all times. Bad behavior at an event may be cause for disciplinary action and expulsion from the BHSA.
Spousal/training partner relationships between refs and competitors
At this time we still do not have enough referees and clubs to be able to not use any referee available. But where we have more referees, it will be useful to use an independent referee.
In regards to the above a Level 1 referee should by now be of a good enough level to do the job, no matter who’s on the platform.
Referees / Referee requirements
All referees must have a proper understanding of the rules and application of same, and an ability to apply this under pressure.
A wide knowledge of many different lifts as possible.
Level 1
David Horne
Elizabeth Horne
Steve Gardener
Mike Daly
Al Christie
Jim Wylie*
Nick McKinless*
* When they become members
Level 1 refs are those that have refereed already, have competed, promoted and have experience of refereeing and so on. In the case of the three names above all of the above apply.
L1 can coach both competitors and L2 / L3 referees. They can also advise the same on decisions (it must be emphasised that this is done with an eye on improving the lot of the BHSA over other concerns – ie: the BHSA as a whole shall come before a record) as well as advise promoters (not always one and the same).
Level2 refs need to say sit in at one more comp, and have a test of all current events, with a pass given by L1 ref who is giving test.
Just one test needed as they’ve already done some referee/contest action in past.
Level 2
Dave Johnson
Laine Snook
Neil Belcher
Jason Horne
Level 2 refs are those with a broad experience of strength sports as well as a broad experience of grip events. All of the above names would be considered for L1 once they have been approved via testing by L1 refs.
Level 3 refs
First there are no names as this list requires members to put themselves forward for consideration. Like L2 refs they need to show a broad knowledge of grip strength events. They would need to be supervised over 2-3 sessions where they would show good refereeing skills, the knowledge of lifts etc. The normal situation would be to test them for L3 status on the 3rd session. They can move up to L2 once they gain refereeing experience and subject to L1 refs agreement.
Juniors
As a means of encouraging growth into hand strength competition the BHSA announces a juniors section.
Age limits
There will be two classes (for both boys and girls) with 12-15 years (from first day of 12th year to day before 16th birthday) and 16-18 (from first day of 16th year to last day of 18th year).
Fees
As we wish to get more and more members involved junior members will pay £7.50 per annum if their parent is NOT a member of the BHSA and £5.00 if parent is a paid up member.
Liability
ALL juniors are required to sign and return the disclaimer but we also require a parent or guardian must counter sign disclaimer and show relationship (brother etc) if not parent. Parent or guardian must be over 18.
Poss juniors comp
Dependant on both the growth of the sport and a promoter putting on said events the BHSA hopes to, at some point, have a junior event. This can be both very media friendly and gives the junior athletes a chance to set records and compete on an equal basis with their peers.
High level events
The BHSA wants it that the promoter has a decision on what he puts on. But because the larger events (British Championships for example) can and are usually well attended if a junior competes in the larger events he competes in the open section, but his record would count as a junior record. Said events will include something to that event. If members are not sure they are to contact the BHSA or promoter direct and check.
Foreign Members
Our foreign members of the BHSA who were not born in the UK, and/or do not hold a British Passport, will still be able to compete in BHSA competitions (as most are 'Open' contests similar to tennis/golf anyway), and also break any All-Comers records if they do. But they cannot break any actual British Records as they are not British. This is the same as UK athletics.
A UK All-Comers record, is a record set at any BHSA event anywhere within Great Britain and Northern Ireland by athletes of any Nationality.
