Youth Tournaments

A

abie10

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I'm putting on a series of youth tournaments here in Arizona (Phoenix area) and had a couple questions.

Is it wrong to give money as a prize at these tournaments? IF I decide to get added money, does it sound bad to advertise that fact?

It seems wrong to push a youth tournament that way, my goal is to promote the game and get youth interested in playing.

Does it make it different if I give Visa gift cards instead of cash?

I'm trying not to make it sound shady so that we get a lot of turnout for future events and build the youth base here in Phoenix...
 
abie10 said:
I'm putting on a series of youth tournaments here in Arizona (Phoenix area) and had a couple questions.

Is it wrong to give money as a prize at these tournaments? IF I decide to get added money, does it sound bad to advertise that fact?

YES and YES. Although I will soften that with the division of age groupings. If you are after the under 18 crowd, prize money should be given in the form of savings bonds. Over 18, another story. Advertising prize money for youth, while capturing the imagination of youth, will also capture the imagination of parents that pool is all about gambling and the winning of money. No other youth activity gives money as a result of winning.

It seems wrong to push a youth tournament that way, my goal is to promote the game and get youth interested in playing.

Does it make it different if I give Visa gift cards instead of cash?

NO. I think the only acceptable way is US savings bonds, something not cashable for xx years. "Can be used toward your college education."

I'm trying not to make it sound shady so that we get a lot of turnout for future events and build the youth base here in Phoenix...
Click to expand...

Kudos to you and your endeavor. I have been involved with youth activities for a number of years. This is an area where many room owners fail.

Are you a room owner wanting to add a youth program or a devoted player wanting to share your passion by passing it on to the youth?

Either way, I am going to assume that you know that it is not a money making situation and in fact, it will probably take money out of your pocket.

The forum is a difficult medium to cover all I have to say. I would be happy to talk with you about your ideas and ways of accomplishing your goals, if nothing else but to be a backboard for you. I may be able to pass on a few things that I've learned over the years.

Please PM me if you want a phone conversation so we can set up a discussion time.

I wish you the best.
 
I agree completly with wags

no cash prizes for youth tournaments.

SLIM
 
Check with your State Rules.

In Texas if a youth accepts cash and/or prizes of a certain amount, that act would diqualify them from all other School sports.

Be carefull.
randyg
 
Just a thought. Young people love atention and winning prizes. Give a nice cue, cue case, chalkers, etc. Be sure the local newspaper prints pictures in the paper and of course nice trophies. Great job, great idea!
 
I don't know what age group but I think gift cards, pool books or videos, pool related items would be great prizes.
Maybe some free lessons from a local instructor.
 
nelldrake said:
Just a thought. Young people love atention and winning prizes. Give a nice cue, cue case, chalkers, etc. Be sure the local newspaper prints pictures in the paper and of course nice trophies. Great job, great idea!
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I was thinking...
 
Prizes over cash, 1st place should probably be a cue and a case, 2nd maybe a lower value cue and case. Make nice awards for everyone, instead of advertising "money added" advertise "everyone gets a prize/award", even if it's a goody bag with a matchbox car or something and a small trophy. Maybe put in a tag "I played in this tornament on 1/1/2011" so they can look at it years down the line and remember.

Make a "youngest player" award or something like that also for those that try but may not have the skill to finish in the top spots.

The guy that ran the pool leage I played in made 6 or so awards for us "Best Dressed" "Most Coffee Drank" "Thanks for playing, a-hole" (that was for the worst record hehe).

He made one for my son (10 yr old) that said "future champion", although he only played a few times that season. The next season, my son (11 then) won the league finals, showing that his medal was true (against all grown-ups, he was the youngest by about 10 yrs), he loves those tokens/medals to death as memories of the times we played there. Sadly the room is now shutdown, but we'll always have the medals/trophies that the manager there was thoughtfull enough to hand out.
 
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