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LinksRemoved

Page history last edited by PBworks 16 years, 11 months ago

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June 29, 2006

Masterton Petanque Club links removed!

“The enemies you make by taking a decided stand generally have more respect for you than the friends you make by being on the fence” --Author unknown

This is a permanent record of a MPC Blog posting

The long standing link to our popular Masterton Petanque Club Blog page has now been removed from the PNZ links page. The same thing has happened on the WPA clubs links page. I find all this childish and sad. I suppose this is punishment for speaking out.

 

posted by Tom van Bodegraven @ 10:34 PM

13 Comments:


At 1:01 AM, Anonymous said...

Now you know what it's like.

No Name.


At 9:54 AM, Anonymous said...

I agree with Tom. If this is what the so called "governing bodies" are doing in order for them to retain control, then its very sad. We're supposed to be growing the game not suppressing it!

Susan


At 10:20 AM, Anonymous said...

I think it's great that PNZ Links page retains a link to the APA website which hasn't been functioning for some time now. But it has deemed it suitable to remove the link to the most active Petanque website in NZ.

They really have the interests of the sport at heart don't they?

No Name.


At 1:26 PM, Anonymous said...

PNZ, if you cannot stand the heat, get out of the fire. YOUR members, please note, YOUR MEMBERS, have a right to their say about the way THEIR organisation is run. You need to take notice. The points made about the selection process seems very valid to me and for PNZ to remove access to these comments from the their website is unfortunate and mischevious.

I would like to suggest that that a vote of no confidence being given to PNZ and that full control of Petanque in New Zealand be given to the Masterton Club. They are one of the oldest clubs in the country. They were the first to have uniforms, they have had the insight to run the countries only indoor tournament, they have someone who has performed superbly as chief exceutive officer,they have 3 international players, no squabbling, great organisation skills, friendliest club in the country - all the attributes to run a succesful organisation.

I am appalled at the direction our sport is heading. There seems to be no leadership and no communication.

Graeme Burnard

PS and come on you guys, show a bit of courage and put your name to your writing.


At 11:25 PM, Tom van Bodegraven said...

The first comment on this post by Mr. No Name says: "Now you know what it's like." Is this directed at me?. What does it mean?. I have never cut off any web links to PNZ or WPA. The opposite is true. I have actively directed web traffic to the PNZ and WPA websites. This Blog is also the only place which has a permanent link to the PNZ Blog page. It is a shame that Mr. No Name and the PNZ body he represents is not able to deal with the selection issues and questions raised, other than cutting websites off. All quite vindictive. Little people always become bullies it seems.


At 3:53 PM, Anonymous said...

Looks like Anonymous is hiding behind the wide crinoline of the PNZ again.

 

Given that the links have been removed from *both* the WPA and PNZ sort of leads one to the conclusion that the webmasters of both sites (and we know who your are) have come to some sort of *secret* agreement to remove the links to the Masterton site.

 

If this is in response to comments made by Tom, myself and others, it shows a surprisingly lack of integrity and pettiness by the webmasters concerned.

 

However - if the removal has come as a result of a PNZ directive, then that is a bigger concern, as it shows a lack of maturity by those people who hold themselves up as leaders of the game, when faced with criticism of their policies.

 

By the way - has anyone heard of what was decided at the special PNZ meeting held in Wgtn on Sat 24 June?

 

Maybe its time for the PNZ to start listening - instead of blocking up their ears.

 

Equally others need to speak up! Its not good enough to be told at tournaments that people really appreciate myself or Tom saying things, especially if its the unpalatable stuff that everyone talks about, but won't say in a public forum. If you have an opinion - voice it! Otherwise morons like Mr Anonymous will keep making stupid comments. -Margret.


At 10:59 PM, Anonymous said...

Unbeleivaboule.

 

Our sport is better off without loose cannon individoules within our nat body behaving like nazis.

 

I hope the responsible thing is done and that the PNZ collective ensure this individual (surely it is only an individual who has done this) is brought into line and the link to the only forum in the country is replaced on at least the PNZ website.

 

PNZ should be standing up to valid comment, not trying to suppress it.

 

Maurice.


At 11:19 AM, Anonymous said...

you can see how stupid actions of the few upset the sport for many. If the so called few of the wpa & nzpa want to take control of the sport for their own gains & benefit then maybe it is time to really separate the few from the many. The few being them, the many being us. Hmmm? do i see an alternative wpa forming?

Greater Wgtn Petanque. no joining fee, no committee, no bull****. clubs can join - just sign up!

tournaments are held ie: Greater Wgtn Doubles etc. players pay per tournament to cover the cost of trophys & donation to the host club. but it WON'T be $15 - 20 per head! you will also have the opportunity attend the setting up of the draw - what the hell lets live life on the edge and even have a tournament with - wait for it ---- pool play!!! this will only work for the region as i can't yet see an alternative nzpa. so then you wouldn't be able to play in nationals because you wouldn't be affiliated through wpa .

we have two great websites (thanks Tom) so who needs wpa?

clubs can hold tournaments exactly the same way as now ie send out info,fliers, & use email. there are people who don't play in nationals and some who are walking away from petanque due to political motion. it would be nice to turn up and enjoy just like the old days without someone having a moan due to the 'growth of petanque in wgtn'

but hey these are just my thoughts and i have a 69 vw kombi now, (the open road calls) so my weekends are spent working on it and playing petanque at home with friends. we laugh, BBQ & have a couple of drinks, and i tell you we have some really serious games and when we finish, we laugh. Life is good bring on the summer.

 

cheers all

Dean Norman


At 4:41 PM, Anonymous said...

It also helps to get the facts straight before you shoot your mouth off!

 

The Masterton link has not been removed - it's how I got in to post this comment. No links have been removed; the website has been slightly redesigned to take advantage of extra capacity, so there's much more information about clubs, and the links are now with the item to which they relate, instead of being on a separate page. So in fact it's easier and quicker to get to the links you're interested in.

 

And if you want information why not try directly asking the people who can supply it? I do answer all emails and letters.

 

Barbara Whittington


At 9:43 PM, Tom van Bodegraven said...

The Masterton link was quite clearly removed from the PNZ "Links" page - I have screenshots to prove this see also editorial below . Other people have confirmed this in their comments to this post. It is however great that this link to the MPC Blog page is now (Monday July 3) reinstated on the PNZ website. I hope that the same will happen with the WPA web page.

As for emails and letters, I have not had much luck with these. I have send many emails including two submissions (27 & 28 August 2005 PNZ meeting) to PNZ. I have never received any answers, acknowledgement or anything about these two submissions! It really is rich to ask for emails and letters Barbara. (see also this unbelievable page).

 

update 22/09/06: Have made request for Players list on 19/09/06:

"Hi Brian,

Could you please email the players list of the WPA Regional Singles Championship to me.

Many thanks.

Tom van Bodegraven." I have never received any answers, acknowledgement or anything about this polite request.

 

update 24/09/06:

Received this email message on Friday September 22nd at 21:48 hours:

 

"Just finished entries and draw etc. Attached list of entries.

Brian."

 

At this late hour this is completely useless!

 

Update 04/10/06:

On 03/10 I made a request for a players list:

"Hi Brian,

Could you please email the players list of the Nat Singles when you have a moment.

Many thanks,

Tom van Bodegraven"

Again no reply. Brian has however placed the list on the PNZ website, but did not inform me about this. Classic stonewalling!

 

Update 27/11/06: I have emailed the WPA executive (this includes Brian Smith) five times with these questions:

 

1) Who were the executive members present when the ruling was made about the Jacques Cochonnet Petanque Cup:

 

"Therefore the executive has decided to put all matches on hold until a meeting can be held to review the current rules which have become 'fudged' over time. It is likely the meeting will be held early next year."

 

2) On what date took this meeting place.

 

3) Under which section of the WPA constitution can the WPA executive make this ruling.

 

4) Do you think that not consulting with the clubs involved (Masterton and Khandallah) was proper conduct on behalf of WPA.

 

The WPA executive has so far ignored these requests for information.


At 10:29 PM, Tom van Bodegraven said...

This is good news. We now (tonight July 3) have our link reinstated on the WPA website as well. I firmly believe that no amount of letter writing would have turned things around as quickly as they have. I believe it is thanks to collectively using this open forum.


At 2:22 PM, Anonymous said...

I think it is great that the Masterton Link has been reinstated and congratulate the PNZ for making the right decision. But I believe at least the statement from the PNZ camp could have been based on the truth! I believe Barbara believes that the case was the link was never removed but I am afraid she has been misinformed. The link was removed, and all other links included the APA website (not current working) was left in place. It is quite obvious that it was removed because a person did not like what was being said on the blog and when they saw the reaction to the removal of it, it became a clear case of cover up, this is where the redesigning of the website came from, I believe.

 

I think it ironic that Barbara's opening statement is - It also helps to get the facts straight before you shoot your mouth off! – I would advise her to do the same.

 

Auckland


At 10:38 AM, Anonymous said...

There is obviously some very strong feeling around the country about this topic and it would be nice to see something official come from PNZ, not only in relation to the removal of the Web link but also the concern about the selection system. It is important however, that we maintain a level of dignity throughout this and not get into a name calling slinging match. The fact that PNZ have not responded except from Barbara's short note confirms to me that there is a serious lack of communication which needs to be addressed. Some regional meetings might be the answer where, we, the members can express our concerns at the way our organisation is being run. An attempt was made earlier in the year to have a regional meeting in Wellington to discuss any issues we had. Only 8 people turned up and all from the same club. The reason this attempt failed was two fold. Firstly it was attached to a tournament over a long weekend and after two days play people were having to head home and didn't want to travel all the way in from Kaptiti to khandallah and secondly we had all been invited to a "Hui" and many took offence to that so didn't go. I know some female members refused to go because they refused to sit at the back!!So, I ask the powers that be to arrange a meeting in each region, somewhere central and give us all a chance to have a talk while there is not a lot of play about so we start the new season off with a hiss and a roar and NO BAD BLOOD. Graeme Burnard



Editors note: 04/07 Links have been put back!. It is great that the link to the MPC Blog page was (Monday July 3) reinstated on the PNZ website. I am a little disappointed that PNZ denied that any links had been removed: "The Masterton link has not been removed - it's how I got in to post this comment."

The simple truth is that Barbara Whittington "got in to post this comment" because the link had been reinstated on July 3. Barbara either doesn't know, or she is deliberately distorting the facts.
The WPA had also removed the link to the MPC Blog at the same time as the PNZ website. It was also reinstated on July 3, but without an attempt to put dishonest spin on it.

This is a good example of what can be achieved if people are not scared to speak out.

I personally feel that the remaining few people on the PNZ executive are facing a serious credibility problem. They need to do a lot of work to regain the trust, respect and goodwill of the wider membership. -Tom.

 

 

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Comments (1)

Anonymous said

at 5:14 pm on Jul 7, 2006

Have added some more text to the item with the orange background: "At 9:43 PM, Tom van Bodegraven said..."

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