Helen Urquhart, Secretary of the Competing Pipers’ Association, has sent this….
For the past year, The Competing Pipers’ Association, in conjunction with the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meetings have developed a new qualifying procedure for competitors to gain places in the Silver Medal events. This new method will give clarity to the competitors so that they understand how they gain entry, as well as providing more transparency on the eligibility process.
This qualifying procedure will begin in the 2019 season, with competitors qualifying for the following year’s Silver Medals in 2020.
The formula that has been devised has a number of different channels including through a series of competitions throughout the season in a calendar year that will act as qualifiers. At the end of the season (London Championship) every player would know whether they have successfully qualified for the following year or not. This would be very much like the A/P players after the Northern Meeting knowing if they will have an invitation to the Glenfiddich Championship.
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The following formula would make up the competitors for the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting Silver Medals. The proposed series of events would be:
1) Silver Medal placed competitors from the previous year
2) All A- (minus) players
3) Winners of B Graded Piobaireachd contests in the current year
4) B Grade League table placings
The competitions in which taking a first place and earning a guaranteed spot in the following years Silver Medals will be,
Kansas City, Winter storm, Duncan Johnstone, BC Indoors, Highlands and Islands, Blair Atholl, Rosneath, Inveraray, Perth, MacGregor Memorial (AG), Cowal, Blairgowrie, Captain John MacLellan Memorial, London Championships
Using this formula, it is felt that this will deliver the best/most consistent players qualified each year to compete in a strong competition. This system will also allow for fluctuations in numbers across multiple event winners, Silver Medal placings and A- players to ensure a full complement of 26 players each year.
As part of this, the CPA encourages pipers to compete at all Highland games events and piping competitions, not just the CPA graded ones, to improve their track record and get experience of competing.
CPA President, Glenn Brown said: This was no easy task coming up with this new system. The CPA committee spent a long time thinking this through, but we feel that it is the fairest way possible for all competitors to gain entrance to the Silver Medals at the Argyllshire Gathering and Northern Meeting. With 65 B grade players, it’s very difficult for the CPA and Joint Committee coming up with the list of who gets into the medals each year. This lays out the exact method in which the player will get into the Silver Medals. Essentially, every competitors fate is in their own hands. We understand that this first year will have a learning curve and are prepared to take action where needed in the future.
Northern Meeting Convenor of Piping, Alan Forbes said: ‘The proposed new qualification process seems fair and transparent and will have the added benefit of letting Silver Medal qualifiers know where they stand much earlier than in the past.’
Argyllshire Gathering Piping Secretary, Torquil Telfer said: ‘The Argyllshire Gathering is of the view that this positive proposal is both transparent and fair, each competitor is aware of the qualification process in advance. We encourage competing pipers to join the association, however, this structure is also open to non-members.’
The member grading process for all competing pipers is open until Thursday 30th November on the Competing Pipers’ Association website.
For More Information please contact the Competing Pipers’ Association Secretary Helen Urquhart secretary@competingpipers.co.uk
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So those working and living outside of UK and US/Canada (e.g AUS and NZ) who already use leave to travel and do best to compete – What opportunities do those people have? Was any of their comps considered (R U Brown)?