Quick response I typed with my thumbs for those still skeptical on the NPGL after the debut match last night. I was very skeptical of the NPGL when I first heard about it. All I could imagine was a flop like we saw in the XFL (though they tried to reinvent the wheel and GRID is a completely new sport all together). But then I remember back in 2006 when I was preaching CF to anyone would listen and I was told it would never become anything. However- knowing what I know now, I see 3 large benefits to the success of the NPGL and having a team here in CLT. 1.) for athletes - we all probably have seen YouTube videos or have an athlete at our box that is stupid strong or a bodyweight ninja. Though their incredible strength or ability to string together an insane amount of pull-ups or HSPU may be impressive, we all know that an athlete on that far end of the spectrum will never make it to the Games (in other words, be able to make a living via the current model). They are phenomenal athletes, but they may just lack the aerobic capacity, or strength or bodyweight ability to round them out and send them to the ultimate test for fitness in July. However, GRID is a sport that requires some athletes to be specialists. Look at Danny Nichols from the OPT camp. The dude is a beast, strong as an Ox and as powerful as they come, but with his build, hes never going to fair well in the broad design of testing done at CF Regionals and Games. But now with GRID, he can showcase and be financially rewarded for his amazing talents, not sent home to train against a genetic uphill battle in the offseason. 2.) for coaches- I love my members at CFSE. I love seeing the satisfaction of a 40 year mother of two after she finally gets a deadlift PR. But as a coach- I also strive to coach athletes who want to pursue CF as sport. With GRID bringing a team to CLT, it opens the door for coaches to develop local talent for a larger stage, a professional sports league. If youre a coach for an athlete at the CF games, you sit off to the side like everyone else and try to yell loud enough for your athlete to hear you- they cant. A GRID coach is making split second decisions, has to know his athletes inside and out, study and learn each match, drill scenarios and is right down in the action with the athletes directing their every move. If GRID is as successful as I believe it will be, local gym owners will be creating their own amateur teams to compete. Also- from a local comp perspective, GRID has created a format for local co-ed, team competitions to use that is uniform and lasts 90 minutes instead if spending 6-8 hours at a local competition on a Saturday. If youre a gym owner, its time to realize that the 99.9 % of your members that walk in your door looking for only fitness is going change a bit. There will be, albeit a small percent but still a significant one, that will want to be trained and coached to be professional athletes via GRID. This will be a reality in the years to come with success of the sport. Those coaches/boxes who can distinguish themselves will reap the benefits of that. 3.) for fans of CrossFit, functional fitness, etc in CLT - I follow the Open leaderboard, stream the Regionals and Games - but Ive never attended in person. Travel, costs, inconvenience to my schedule, etc. But now there will be a CLT team and to the uneducated observer, it looks and feels just like CF (though obviously very different sports...thats for a different rant). Ill be able to cheer on local athletes that I may even know personally as they battle on the GRID. This adds the personal connection component that any fan of any sports team has. In closing, I believe that GRID will be successful. I dont believe there needs to be a CF vs GRID outlook, but Im afraid its unavoidable. And Im excited for the impact GRID will have on athletes, coaches and potential fans in the CLT market.
Posted on: Wed, 20 Aug 2014 12:26:42 +0000