- Dec 29, 2010
- 1,255
- 2,397
I think I can appreciate acknowledging teams that are fantastic in their division with a great work ethic and drive, without giving the impression that they're the best team out of all levels (Although hypothetically that would make level 6 the highest, when that's currently not quite the case). Because you KNOW you're gonna have some girl wanting to show off her 'World Champion' junior 2 *insert prize here* like she single-handedly killed a manticore. I think there should be a reward with perspective- like 'Good on you for being awesome at your level! You may not be at the top of the ability chain, but what you CAN do is awesome!'
Apologies if this comes off as harsh, but as someone who tried (and failed) to play a sport at the highest levels, I tend to not be all that enamored with the idea of making everyone a "world champion". To me, that distinction really does need to be saved for the best of the best, not for the best at a particular level.
That doesn't mean that having a mega-competition for other age groups and levels is a bad thing, but if we're going to try to pass it off as "Worlds for all" then it really does cheapen what Worlds is supposed to be. It gets close to that mentality of giving everyone an appreciation sticker or a medal for trying, which I think is fine when you're 5 but not so much after you're old enough to understand the nature of competition.
And besides, I think NCA, Cheersport and Jamfest Indy do a pretty good of giving non-World's teams the major competition experience. Another similar competition isn't necessarily evil or anything, but is perhaps unnecessary?