Canadian Strongman Federation

Grant · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:07 am **Posts:** 1664

I received a call last night from Robin Wright in BC. He has signed up with IFSA to run their Canadian affiliate, which he is calling the Canadian Strongman Federation.

Announcement.

Apparently there's a website coming, and the CSF Nationals are scheduled for the end of July. He's also looking at putting on the 105kg Nationals. He'll be working closely with Dione and Willie Wessels from NASS/ASA, as well as Christian Fennell from Wyndham Studios/All Strength Challenge, the new IFSA president.

I don't know how much of an impact this will have in Ontario. The CFSA didn't really have much of a foothold west of Manitoba, so there may be very little change, and it is possible that the CSF may in fact be/become the WCSF (Western Canadian Strongman Federation). As a minimum, there will be more high-level competitions in BC, but Robin is quite enthusiastic about branching out across Canada.

Opinions?

MadDog · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 10:37 am

Interesting idea. There's a lot of really strong guys out there, this might be what they need. It'll be interesting to see how it all pans out!

a.burwell · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:06 pm

If it's with the IFSA then you know that the atheletes will not be allowed to compete in non IFSA sanctioned events. The IFSA has been very clear about this with the WSM. I don't wish to see anyone who likes to compete limited on the events they enter. I personally think Hugo and the CFSA are going in a better direction.

Hood · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 4:48 pm

It works as following… any athletes that are not signed to an IFSA athlete agreement are of course free to compete wherever they like… currently, there is just one Canadian signed to an IFSA athlete agreement and that is Geoff Dolan.
From my Nationals, the top three will then move on to the
Pan-Americans… to do so, however, they will have to sign an IFSA athlete agreement.
As such, they will then be eligible for some of the 25+ IFSA International GP events.
Once an athlete signs an IFSA athlete agreement, they can only compete at IFSA or IFSA sanctioned events… currently that includes, outside of IFSA events, USS.

IronPaul · **Posted:** Sun Feb 26, 2006 5:18 pm

I'll have to agree with Andy on this one (and not because he makes great equipment

).
Hugo and the CFSA seem to be going in a good direction and making progress every year. They may/may not still have areas to work on but overall the effort has been there and strongman in Ontario continues to improve.
I can see the point of view the athletes in Western Canada have and perhaps the time has arrived for more solid representation in that part of the country. Lots of talent out there that shouldn't be overlooked.
All the best with the new federation and looking forward to your future success.

Paul

Grant · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:07 am **Posts:** 1664

Thanks for clarifying that, Robin.

Grant · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:07 am **Posts:** 1664

In somewhat related news:

Quote:

for immediate press release

27, February, 2006: IFSA STRONGMAN AND UNITED STRONGMAN SERIES SIGN COOPERATION AGREEMENT.

IFSA Strongman and United Strongman Series (USS) are pleased to announce that they
have signed a cooperation and athlete alliance agreement that will allow one another's athletes to compete in their respective calendar of 2006 events.

President of IFSA Strongman, Christian Fennell, said; "We have watched the United Strongman Series and they have staged very good events over the past year and as such, felt that it would be only beneficial to both parties to open the door to one another's 2006 events. As a whole, there is too much fragmentation in strongman, so when you see an outfit like United Strongman Series starting to execute good events and being so successful, IFSA Strongman is then only too happy to allow our world class athletes to compete in these events and to provide two official IFSA referees for each event. It is also encouraging for the sport as a whole when the United Strongman Series, as a result of our cooperation, will also apply the Strongman Health and Safety rules."

On a last note, Fennell said, "We look forward to USS athletes coming into our events and challenging our guys for the title of the 'Strongest Man in the World'".

Recent Sponsorship research commissioned by IFSA Strongman has shown that the Strongman sport is one of the most viewed sports currently available to TV viewers on a global basis.

President of United Strongman Federation, Lucky Schmidtleitner, stated; "It is our policy to be open for everyone, hold world class events and to work on our vision of a united strongman sport. Athletes from all over the world will be competing against each other and we are proud to announce that one athlet of the United Strongman Series 2006 will have a quaranteed place in the IFSA 'Strongest Man in the World' Championships, another one will have a guaranteed place in the qualifier for IFSA 'Strongest Man in the World' Championships."

Vice-President and CEO of the United Strongman Federation, Othmar Valzacchi mentioned that "We are proud that, IFSA Strongman and the United Strongman Series, the two strongest federations, have reached a reasonable long-term cooperation agreement for the benefits of both parties."

Both IFSA Strongman and United Strongman Series wish all their athletes a very successful and healthy 2006 competition year. Be strong!

Links:
http://www.ifsastrongman.com
http://www.unitedstrongman.org

For further information please contact Marcel Mostert (Director IFSA) on marcel.mostert@ifsastrongman.com or Othmar Valzacchi (Vice-President USS) on ov@unitedstrongman.org

be strong!

Mario Kochwalter
Marketing & Communication
______________________
united strongman valzacchi event keg

United Strongman Federation
Paradeisergasse 9
9020 Klagenfurt
AUSTRIA

direct email: mk@stvmd.com
website: http://www.unitedstrongmanseries.org

office: +43 463 90 8000 20
mobile: +43 676 848606220
fax: +43 463 90 8000 99

MadDog · **Posted:** Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:11 pm

While I was unaware of how strict the IFSA is, thank you guys for the clarification, I do believe the western guys need proper representation. I have heard great things about some of the amazing guys coming out of the west and would love to see them here at the Nationals. As a newcomer to the sport, I have to say that it is disappointing to hear of some of the politicking that has gone on here in our own backyard. I hope the this years brings some great things for us all, and that we can compete simlpy because we are in effect, strong.

Jesse Snadden · **Joined:** Mon May 02, 2005 10:51 am **Posts:** 560

The west is very strong.

Unfortunatly, both Geoff Dolan and Ed Brost decided not to compete. Ed skipped the Nationals, Geoff skipped the Westerns, partly due to IFSA contract. Brad Provick, unfortunatly is injured. No denying Al Block and the future of Strongman in the west ... Scott Cummine and Chris Colonval.

Ontario took a hit too, missing Ryan Green who had really upped the ante and became an international level strongman, Jamie Azmies was also missing. Hugo was injured from Quebec.

Canada had a bit of a bad year in regards to athletes health and presence in 2005.

CFSA has gone in the right direction by supporting WSM and WSMSS and foregoing IFSA.

I definatly think 2006 will be a kick ass year for Canada. As for Quebec, Hugo is in Top shape, Jessen is still a top level athlete, Dominic busted onto an extraordinaire international level debut, I see him in training and he is getting more of a freak everyday.

I'm making big gains, Savoie is also. We got 2 young newcomers who will kick some ass, the boys from Quebec city, Franky Bonneau and Yannick Normandin are making progress because they are training with Hugo since he lives there now. Steve Bourgeois has finally overcome his back injury and made a good showing at WSM. He wasn't himself since early 2002.

Hopefully, Ryan Green and Jamie Azmies will show up again, I would love to see a return from Mark and Steve Lozer. Mike Bade seems enthusiastic this season, well at least he did last time I spoke to him.

Here's to hoping Brad Provick heals up, Hopefully Geoff will be allowed to compete in Canada again, he is just an amazing strongman. I heard Ed Brost retired, shame really.

Canada was the better half of North America. In both 2001 and 2002 Team Canada won the north american championships. Let's get that back.

Jesse Snadden · **Joined:** Mon May 02, 2005 10:51 am **Posts:** 560

Silly me, I forgot the maritimes.

Grant Connors had a great showing at Nationals. Let's hope Brad Carty get's back into it for 2006.

Grant · **Joined:** Wed Jan 14, 2004 12:07 am **Posts:** 1664

The good news is that Brad Carty is on the ACSA schedule for the 10-event ACSA Cup. It'll be good to see him and Grant Connors back, and hopefully they can send two people to CSM this year.

Atlantic Canada really took off when they organized an association! There are a lot of strong people on both coasts that we may overlook in central Canada.

Hood · **Posted:** Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:02 pm

I have talked with Dione of NASS, we had discussed to possiability of holding a North VS. South event once things settle a bit here.
I'd like to do it at a boarder town, midd Canada.
This is where some unity would be bennificial.

Big Reg · **Joined:** Fri Aug 06, 2004 12:39 am **Posts:** 302

Don't forget Strongman Challenge Dubreuilville.

we will have opening for athetles from the east, Quebec, Ontario and west.

Sean Bates · **Posted:** Fri Mar 03, 2006 12:53 pm

Do you already have my personal trailer reserved for the competition. I've already booked the time and hope that this time my star isn't hung upside down. And hopefully the polar bear won't be afraid to bunk in with everyone else.

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