Article - Nemelka Racing Pigeon Loft

Announcing Creation of theRacing Pigeon Breeders Association (RPBA)Over the years, one loft and futurity racing has become an even larger portion of ourpigeon racing sport. It seems like you can hardly see a racing pigeon magazine that isn’tannouncing a new race for pigeon fanciers to participate in. In large measure, thosemanaging these races deserve to be recognized and appreciated for their entrepreneurship andcommitment to the racing pigeon sport – it is a lot of work to put on one of these events.Over the years, we have seen many races come and go for a variety of reasons. There is noformal regulatory or governing body managing these races and there have been allegations ofimpropriety and nefarious activities for as long as there have been races. Notwithstandingthese challenges these races continue to be a very meaningful portion of the sport to manyparticipants and race managers. Recently there have been many individuals who have talkedof creating some type of certification body, governing body or association to try to bringsome formality and structure to these types of races. Over the past few months, a fewindividuals have been brainstorming regarding setting up an association – working with bothrace participants and race managers – to provide recommendations that, at a minimum, willprovide a framework within which to help both participants and race managers to find moreenjoyment in these races.For full disclosure, the idea behind the Racing Pigeon Breeders Association wasstarted by the following individuals: Geert Kolvenbag, Mike Ennis, Noel Certain & JoeNemelka. After brainstorming for a few weeks, their initial thoughts were shared withanother larger group of individuals for their comments. These individuals included: Lolo &Kristin Ramirez (LK Corral), Tom & Tim Beard (Double T Loft), Robin & Brenda Burdetteand about a half dozen other parties. In early December 2008, the summary of thoughts fromall of these individuals were then shared with between 30-40 individuals who havedemonstrated an interest in one loft/futurity races and/or manages these races. The goal wasto see how many individuals would be interested in providing feedback, working with andsupporting the goals and recommendations of the RPBA. After an enthusiastic responsefrom this group we are now announcing to the racing pigeon world the formation of theRacing Pigeon Breeders Association (RPBA).The mission statement of the RPBA is: To recommend and promote clarity forone loft and futurity races that will promote participation in honest and qualified races.The purpose is not to create a bureaucratic organization that is a forum for criticizing what is.Our purpose is to make recommendations on what can be! We plan to work together withparticipants, one loft managers, futurity organizers and handlers to facilitate dialog and createrecommendations and expectations on all sides. If this organization ever becomes viewed asan organization that simply is a sounding board for discontent then we believe we havefailed. We hope that everyone on all sides can speak to the efforts of the RPBA to benefitthem. We also recognize that this elephant cannot be eaten whole – so to speak – so we arestarting with some basic recommendations as to what should be expected of participants and

managers of these races. As would be expected, there are about as many different views on‘what is critical’ as there are participants in races. It is unlikely we will ever develop trueconsensus on everything, but we are hopeful through dialog and compromise we can havesolid support from all of the members.Based upon our initial response to our ‘trial balloon’ request for participation we haveapproximately 30 individuals that are willing to participate to further the mission statementof the association. We are now seeking participation from anyone who meets the followingcriteria:o Member must not be under any probation or have been banned by anynational pigeon organization.o Must be over the age of 18.o Must participate in at least two one loft and/or futurity races under separatemanagement per year.o Must be committed to the following principles: Raising pigeons in a healthy environment. Only sending pigeons to one loft races that are healthy and capable ofcompeting at the highest level. Paying all perch and entry fees according to the rules of entry for eachone loft entry. Being respectful of all participants and race managers. Promoting the highest level of sportsmanship in all areas ofcommunication.If you are interested in participating, please e-mail Geert Kolvenbag (Ksklak@aol.com);Noel Certain (certainloftusa@gmail.com); or Joe Nemelka (jnemelka@yahoo.com). If youdo not have e-mail, then please call Joe Nemelka at 801-358-5094 to express an interest.Please know, however, that the majority of the communication will be done via e-mail.When you e-mail any one of these individuals, they will send you the recommendations thatthe group has created thus far.In the near future we will be electing a group of officers to ‘manage’ the RPBA andbe responsible for working with the membership of the organization to further the purposes.As a group, we will also continue to refine the recommendations that have been produced sofar by the initial group that can then be published and distributed. Over years, we hope theserecommendations become more formalized and participants and race managers look to themas a standard for participating in and operating a race. We also hope that the RPBA canbecome a forum where participants can share information and promote those races that areoperating at a very high level.