Agility Dog Association of Australia Ltd

Report on the World Dog Games 2009

I have been heard to say, a number of times, over the past six months that the World Dog Games would be a wonderful event for Agility. And I'm so pleased to say that not only was it that, it was much, much more.

For those not involved in the lead-up and/or who didn't manage to get the event, I would like to give you a sense of the size of the "production". This certainly was not just another competition, with a bigger audience, it was a true production, in many senses (except for the sporting outcomes) scripted, choreographed and directed like any other major event you would go to.

Firstly, Tara King (Gung Ho Productions/Chugg Entertainment) came up with the concept of the combination of entertainment, competition and education. Really with a message to inspire people that they too can go and do these sports. What an amazing lady she is, with true vision, to come up with something that has never been done before. But you know, even when, in those early stages she was talking about who/what was involved (Grant Denyer as host, a production team) I now realise I had absolutely no concept of the size of the undertaking that she had planned. I even visited Acer Arena with Tara and it looked like a fantastic stadium - boy, more seats than I've seen at an Agility competition (including the World Agility Championships) - but still (really) no sense of what this was going to be, nor really the commitment that Tara and Chugg Entertainment had made to the event, the participants and the dog sports organisations who would help her bring it together. Of course before we even got to that point, Tara had to select (i) the events and (ii) who was going to host those events for the World Dog Games. So I am so appreciative that she chose Agility and ADAA to be a part of her team (and thanks to Damian Noud for recommending ADAA). At that point, Tara agreed to showcase not just one group of Agility dogs, but to provide prizes for both the Mini and Maxi dogs. It was through these conversations that I knew that her heart and focus was all about showcasing the sports, handlers and dogs the best way possible and I found myself having some small sense of the vision she foresaw for the event.

Once this was done, the ADAA Board had to come up with a selection process and Tara stressed the importance of this being an opportunity for all Agility enthusiasts from around Australia to vie for the coveted places at the World Dog Games. It was great to see entries from around the country do just that, and representatives from three different states selected to go through to the World Dog Games finals. In the next six months we had many phone discussions, a number of face-to-face meetings and even more emails. Initially it was just Tara bringing the concept together and then, in the past couple of months, her Production and support teams ramped up. The action increased and it has been in the last month, that the details have come together. I suspect, given their experience in bringing together many major events Tara, and her team, always knew it would come together. I have to say, I wasn't quite so confident and worried that I would have forgotten some critical detail <lol>. From my perspective, it wasn't just the competitors that needed to coordinated but also the support structure around the Agility - what was the flooring going to be & how would the dogs cope (Tara's focus was to meet the needs of and to facilitate three different sports)? what about equipment? what support "crew" did we need to provide (scribes, stewards, coordinators)? the ADAA stand (who would look after it, what merchandise)? In amongst that, I had a trip to Malaysia for 10 days - so things for me became very hectic - especially as things like videoing of Agility overlays, dog photo's and videoing of the competitors were required and we had everyone spread such a long distance from each other (have to say at that point, I did wish that everyone was all located in the same suburb <vbg>).

Then, as we approached the final couple of weeks, all I seemed to be thinking about (and often working on) was World Dog Games and every time I thought it was all done, something else would come up - whether it was a question from one of our volunteers that needed to be answered, or something from the production team that needed to be considered. And I felt like I was changing who was doing what (mostly for very good reason) on a daily basis. And you know what, not one of the people that I did that to, complained (well to me anyway ) - and that included the production team when those doing various tasks/on the ADAA stand/working on demo's changed. Finally I packed the car (and dog) and left late last Tuesday for the drove down from Brisbane (hoping that no critical element had been forgotten - or left behind). After an overnight stop I arrived at Mal Williams' house (who kindly agreed to let us stay) and gave Porsche a run.

Thursday, as we arrived at Acer Arena for the various briefings, the enormity of project became a reality. There were truckloads of equipment being unloaded, and massive amounts of people working feverishly to get everything ready - artificial turf to be laid (the main Agility surface), anti-fatigue matting to be incorporated (the flyball surface, but that meant it was part of the Agility area as well), a 40x 20 foot pool to be built and filled (with its docks), lighting to fill a stadium to be erected and directed, sound systems, and the masses of people that clean and prepare a venue. there was a whole stadium of backstage rooms - the green room, catering room, production room, media room, outside broadcast van, computers, cables, dressing rooms for the stars, dressing rooms for the not-so-stars (like myself as one of the Agility "expert" commentators), team rooms for all of the sports, check-in and briefings from the Executive Producer, checking of the Agility equipment (which had been spruced up by the production team), collaboration on scoring processes.

Even at that point, I'm not sure the enormity had really set in for the competitors, but there was no doubt that on Friday that was the case, as they took to the stadium with their dogs for the very first practice wondering things like.... how would their dogs cope with these strange surfaces, lighting, noises, cameras, entering through the dog-house, changing warm up routines. For the handlers, understanding that this was a real production and Agility was just one small part of an immense production, things like there would be a lock-down (no-one to leave rooms without checking with Nicola Read, our Agility sport coordinator) whilst the show was on and handlers wouldn't just be able to wander out to go and watch their friends from the stands. Also, once the rehearsal was underway, patiently waiting our turn for Agility to go through the processes, being amenable to changes needed by the production team. From my own perspective it was on Friday that I appreciated the truly professional team that Tara had brought together. Scott Young, the Executive Producer, seemed to be able to manage 50+ people and tasks at the same time, never lost his cool and was managing/directing the show continually. Greg Derrett and I (as the joint Agility expert commentators) were given a "crash course" on commentating for TV. Andrew ("Marto") Martin (local radio identity) was the "real" commentator and even though he had no experience of Agility (although I'm sure he must have watched some video) was a great lead, so we followed. Mal took the time also to talk with Leah McLeod the "on field" host(ess) and provide her with tips and ideas about Agility, the courses and equipment. Certainly Friday night, we had to appreciate that it was about the production team getting to understand how it was all going to come together and not the rehearsal/run through that we were expecting. I guess I walked away from that not quite certain what everything would look like for the first show on Saturday.

Saturday morning we were at the venue early - firstly to set up equipment for Greg's morning lecture/demo sessions for the Dogfest, but also to be onsite in case there any requirements show-wise. Things went along pretty quickly and then Greg and I were sitting at our commentary table, being "fitted" with our headsets and watching the Agility equipment come onto the "field" under Mal Williams' direction. The production ring crew was responsible for getting the equipment on, and then Mal (helped by his stewards Siegfried Clever, Liz White and Katie Jones) made sure that everything was set okay. Then the show was off and running - truly in the realm of lights, camera, action. It wasn't quite a full-house but the best/largest crowd I've ever seen in Agility, Mini dogs were first on for the day and entered as group through the huge "dog house" onto the field/ring and took a half lap of honour down to the start line. I didn't feel nervous sitting there in the commentary position, but it is certainly an art, so our commentary improved when the Maxi dogs came out after the intermission/break. It looked to me like many of the handlers were nervous but the dogs seemed to handle the atmosphere and cameras just fine. The crowd just oohed and aahed over the weave poles. Unfortunately for Jim Hull, Gidget had a poop in the ring, but as if he were born to showmanship Jim held his plastic bag aloft and did a poop pick-up, before continuing on course. Other than that, results varied from a couple of Eliminations through to a couple of Clear Rounds. Going back to the team room after the runs, it was just a buzz as the handlers relished the atmosphere on the field. From an Agility perspective all handlers finished the day with a lap around the ring for the Finale.

By Sunday (official Day 2)- routines had already been established but as soon as the production team saw me, Scott (Executive Producer) wanted to discuss a change they wanted to make to the programme. They had decided it would be better to have the Mini Dogs first, and then the Maxi Dogs immediately after (before the next sport). So that meant the Mini dogs would all come onto the field, do their runs and as soon as they finished the Maxi dogs would come onto the field during the height change. First thing to do was to let Nicola (as Agility sports coordinator) and Mal (as Agility Judge) know. Importantly being day 2, the overall winners needed to be announced - which meant making sure the results reflected the official scores - so it was agreed that this would be done ringside and announce to the stadium at the completion of each height class. then we had a team meeting to brief everyone.

Boy, it came absolutely down to the wire for both height classes. In talking with Andrea Gibney she wasn't at all sure whether she had gotten around the course in sufficient time, and was surprised, delighted and humble having done so. I take my hat off to Amanda Pacher for dealing with the pressure of the moment, as the last Agility dog to run, knowing that she not only had to go clear but also in a fast time to have an opportunity at the final prize. She managed to do so to earn the title of Top Maxi Agility Dog and it was heartening to see that the first person to congratulate her was Kriszty, who's Terra dropped one bar in that final round. This revised format for Sunday, certainly kept the (larger) crowd more involved and excited over proceedings. And of course the team room on Sunday became a celebration of the achievement of the two handlers as well as everyone else.

The final results were....

Mini Dogs

Andrea Gibney with Sammy (100 points)

Nicole Ford with Tiakina Tour De Force (Jasper) (80 points countback on Eliminations)

Jim Hull with Gidget (80 points)

Alyssa Ablitt with Rustufarion Kosmik Trekn (30 points)

Maxi Dogs

Amanda Pacher with Marty (130 points)

Kriszty Cumming with Bellview FoxyLady (125 points)

Elsina Meyer with Beljekali Gypsy in Black (115 points)

Denise Crook with Lexie (90 points)

Then there were all of the people - behind the scenes, who didn't get in the limelight, who facilitated this being a great event for ADAA. Our team at the ADAA stand, talking to the general public and promoting Agility as well as supplying and selling merchandise as part of our WAC fundraising efforts. All of the people who helped with putting together and packing away the ADAA equipment, holding and looking after dogs, helping people with dogs and equipment, sharing time/tickets so that everyone could see the show.

I would also like to thank Penny Mead - who was the overall sports coordinator for the WDG, but also one of the three vets onsite for the weekend. The vet checks every day were another demonstration of Tara/WDG's commitment to the safety of dogs and their well-being. Whilst it is easy to take the welfare of our canine pal's for granted, with an event like this it is important that this is kept at the top of the list. It was great to have a familiar face responsible for making sure that any concerns could be immediately checked.

I would like to make specific mention of some of the production team - many of whom probably won't even get to read this but I think really deserve mention. Tara King - the driving force behind the show, whom I can't say enough good things about. Sonia Borg - who is also from Chugg Entertainment and couldn't have been more helpful - sorting out access to the Sport Arena, parking, and whatever else we seemed to need. Scott Young from 5 Oceans Media who was the Executive Producer - amazing & talented man. Tanya Lawson also from 5 Oceans Media who managed to quietly get things done, and organised the painting of all of our equipment so that it looks fabulous (of course imagine her surprise on Saturday night when we stumbled into her outside the Pulmann hotel and said "we just wanted to ask you a question" - the picture was worth a thousand words - but no we were just there to meet Greg for dinner ). Cat Desmier from Chugg Entertainment - again a quiet achiever who managed to either get the job done, or find the right person who did. There some other production people who's surnames I don't know - but were especially great to deal with - Will - who managed backstage - getting everyone in the right place at the right time - apparently he'd never seen dog Agility before but probably now knows more about it than many and Lou - who helped Greg and I in how to provide a better and more energetic commentary (and a very "wicked" sense of humour - just a pity that Greg Derrett kept bringing up the UK beating the Aussies at the Rugby World Cup <lol>). And there were many, many more whose names I don't know but made sure that (pretty much) whatever we needed, whenever we needed it, was there.

I can't wait to see it all on TV in a one hour show (Channel 7, scheduled for 19 December 2009 at around 4.00pm in NSW (may vary in other states).

As I contemplate the weekend gone by, of course I am struck by what a wonderful promotion of our sport it has been. But that, isn't the lasting memory I will have. It is that just about everywhere I turned the production team kept telling me what a great job the Agility team had done, how helpful they were, and how great/easy they were to work with. This didn't come from one person, it came from a bunch of them. So I think it's an appropriate time to thank everyone from ADAA who helped put Agility on the map in Australia:

Agility sports coordinator - Nicola Read

Agility Judge - Mal Williams

Stewards - Siegfried Clever, Liz White, Katie Jones

Mini handlers - Andrea Gibney, Nicole Ford, Jim Hull, Alyssa Ablitt

Maxi handlers - Amanda Pacher, Kriszty Cumming, Elsina Meyer, Denise Crook

Demo handlers - Sharyn Palmer, Leanne Davis, Jenni Raines, Liz Yuill, Ros Atyeo, Peter Clynes

Assistance provided with equipment and demo's - Kerri Lowis, Loyd Barker, Bill Lawson, Penny Mead (after she had finished her "official" duties), Narelle Longhurst (and I'm sure there are others too - my apologies for missing you out)

ADAA Stand Team Leader - Marion Allen

ADAA Stand - Neville Allen, Rose Hey, Ann Tomlinson, Trish Martin, Marilyn McKenzie

WDG Photo’s – Alyssa Ablitt

I'm humbled by your achievements and so proud to be from ADAA and Agility.....

THANK YOU ALL!

Cathy Slot
ADAA Chair

[Top]