| Carol Rose's letter of Resignation to CMAS
Carol has forwarded this letter to me for publication. So here you are folks...
as of 1 October 2007
To All It May Concern:
This letter is to inform you of my resignation from the CMAS Underwater Hockey Commission. I have been a member of the Commission and the Commission secretary since 1990, and I have been involved in international underwater hockey since 1980.
In that time, I have seen the sport of underwater hockey grow from eight countries (2 divisions, 12 teams) at a world championships, 1984, to 17 countries (6 divisions, 48 teams) 2006. I believe this growth is quite remarkable. More than 20 countries are playing world wide, a new country or two joining every year - Singapore being the latest. I have seen the sport grow in the same manner in my own country - USA.
I would like to point out the 2006 UW Hockey World Championships in Sheffield, England were a fabulous stupendous event. Extremely well organized and wonderfully presented and fully appreciated.
I believe the growth and expansion of underwater hockey is due in great part to a restrained guiding influence - little interference, few restrictions and a very inclusive approach - by the world Commission.
Unfortunately, the CMAS Steering Committee and BOD have, in the last 4 years, taken an increasing and very dominating attitude toward our sport. The Sports Committee seems to be nonfunctional - it does not meet, it has no influence and it takes no action.
The president of the Sports Committee never calls a meeting. The president of the Sports Committee does not consult, discuss or contact the president or members of the Underwater Hockey Commission on issues of interest, concern and importance to our sport. And, as a result, the Commission, the federations and the players are faced with many and various regulations that are onerous, ridiculous and limiting, and there appears to be no route of remedy. One example: why is it a person over age 35 may NOT participate on an elite uw sports team?
This year, the Commission and its president were accused of many improprieties - most of which were hearsay. With one or two exceptions, no one on the Steering Committee or BOD were present at the events in question or actually saw the 'supposed' improprieties.
For example, we were initially accused of not displaying the CMAS flag at the 2006 world championships. There were many photos to refute the accusation, or someone could have asked any of the 700+ persons at the Opening Ceremonies. This accusation and others appeared and then magically disappeared. Other accusations were misstated, inaccurate or just nonsense. And several accusations were made about events stated to have occurred before the current president was in office; how is he responsible for events reported to have happened in 2002 and 2004 when he was elected in 2005?
The Commission president was summoned to Rome for a disciplinary hearing. He indicated in advance he would not make the trip from Australia to Rome, and, as requested, answers to all the accusations were written and sent. I know as I sent them.
The hearing was 7 July, and our answers to all the accusations were sent, by me, on 2 July. It appears no one on the Disciplinary Commission acknowledges receiving these answers, but several other CMAS personnel have acknowledged receipt of them. It appears to me the conclusions and decisions of the Disciplinary Commission were foregone, and no one was interested in our explanations. The Disciplinary Commission final report also stated the Commission president was judged guilty by being absent. This is not justice.
It is my conclusion that CMAS is not really interested in the advancement, growth and/or improvement of underwater hockey. The actions by the Steering Committee and/or BOD majority have all been restrictive, limiting and demeaning. The Commission is ignored or chastised. As a result, I can see no benefit to me, to my federation and, most importantly, to the sport and dedicated players of underwater hockey to continue working on a Commission which is disregarded and/or humiliated; a Commission without purpose, significance or status.
CMAS needs to work as an legitimate, proper international sports organization. It needs to observe and learn how such organizations function, and it needs to realize it cannot skip the necessary formative years. It needs to learn how to be a sports organization and to work with its athletes and sports not against them.
Carol Rose, USA |