Putting up this thread for all things Flow Team (my term for Sponsored, Non-Pro teams and players). I have a few questions: 1. What are the differences between being put on the flow team and being on the Pro team? 2. What flow teams are out there? Which is the best one in your opinion? 3. What is the purpose of these teams existing? Why not just put someone straight into pro status? 4. Why do some companies sponsor tons of players, while other companies sponsor few to no players? Hope sponsored players as well as company owners share there insights here!
Not sponsored, but I'll offer my own insight/explanations that I've heard before: 1. Flow is like "hey we (the dama company) think you're a rad player. we think you have some potential, so here's some damas to rep our company." pro is like "wow you are an influential person for kendama, you've been grinding and pushing kendama, you can definitely do some good for it as a whole" 2. GT flow, sol street team, KUSA tribe, Sweets focus team was their version of flow, kromies. can't think of any more at the moment 3. Some people are not at the level of being a full blown pro, but they're definitely deserving of a spot on the team. If you give everybody who is sponsored a pro model, it won't be as special as earning the title of professional. That's why GT does pro models and then color way models. Prospects have proved themselves enough to get a special model, but not a pro model. 4. My guess would be that some companies have higher standards than others. You have to meet a certain criteria to be given a spot on the team. Its not just about the hardest tricks. You have to be the right type of person, and its also about what you do for kendama.
To simplify what @Nick Lectura said, Flow teams are like “hey, do you wanna work with us?”, and the companies be like “OK, we’re gonna put you on probation, show us what you can do with this new responsibility”. After some time, if they see you bringing a good name to the company, by way of winning events, or spreading the name, they’ll be like “yep, we made a good choice getting you in. Let’s promote you”.
"You have to be the right type of person, and its also about what you do for kendama." Love this thought. I remember people complaining about why DWI sponsored Kozorof when "she wasn't a good kendama player." It's not always about skill, but what you do for the community, and Kozorof may not be a shredder per se but she does contribute a lot by being a Kendama personality in Japan and on Instagram.
Also, I think that the "pro team" and "flow team" division isn't necessarily a skill divide in some cases, but how players serve as ambassadors of the game. For example: The KUSA Tribe team is, in my opinion, superior to the Pro team at this moment, but The Pros have been spreading the game by hosting events, going to toy conventions, and representing the kendama lifestyle on social media.
As a player for 2 'Flow' type teams (BHC Prototyping team, and CWCS Speed String Army) Our purpose, as I see it, is just extra support for said companies. Helps get the name out there. The more people they have representing their product, the more people get to see those products being used and can make a consumer decision on whether to buy the product. Sure, hype is one thing. But the consumer really wants to just see how these products preform as they are actually played. Also, as I see it, I am very happy and grateful to be sponsored by these companies. I really don't believe I fit that 'Pro' status just yet. I try to be very involved with the community. I do the best tricks I can, but don't think I'm to that high standard that people expect pros to be at. And I'm fine with that. Kendama has always been about fun and progression to me. If I'm progressing myself and bettering my tricks then I'm still on the right track. Above anything else you have to have fun with what you do. If it doesn't look like fun then why would anyone else want to try what you're doing.
This, and I've also heard Matt say that he picked her up because DWI is his company and he just wanted to sponsor the players he likes. Exactly. All of Tribe laces mind blowing tricks, but people like Jake and TJ are the ones who can get almost anybody stoked on kendama. which is really what its all about. That feeling we all chase. Its not just their tricks that keep people watching, but their interest in their personalities as well. They can get full blown adults stoked on a big cup and then turn right around and then get a 7 year old kid stoked as well. Witnessed it at JPOP this weekend. This one guy, probably like mid 30s, kept watching Jake play when people like Gavin and Logan were also there. Its because Jake got his interest and kept it. He scooped a Legaxis at the event (his first dama) and also bought a boatload of KUSA stuff. I think thats what being a pro is all about, not just the tricks
It's perhaps a little bit different for us in the Philippines because of the market or lack thereof. goenKendama is still small but we have two teams. KenetyK is our performance team meaning they're the ones I usually ask to get up on stage or bring with me when I need to showcase kendama. They also help teach kendama when we are at events. Tripstyk is the hands-on teaching/training crew for events, kendama classes, schools, etc. They have skills but are usually not as comfortable getting up on a stage and being the center of attention. Because the sport/market here in the Philippines is still young/small most team players are still in school (highschool or college). This means their available time is limited. We also aren't in a position to have full-time kendama employee/team members though we do however have a couple of ramen shop employees who are also team members. Additionally while our teams do rep/market for us one of their primary functions is to teach and try to bring in new players/customers not just promote to people who already play. That ends up meaning that while kendama skills are important, personality is more so. Not all great players are great teachers and since we are trying to build a player base and community we need more players. We need to get potential players hooked by having a skilled and patient trainer from first contact. Most of @Nick Lectura 's answers work for me too though I'd probably add a bit to question 4. Running teams, sponsored players, pros and whatnot cost and if they are full-time employees they require a full time salary. That's going to be a chunk of change so the companies who can afford it are likely to be the ones with more players. Even swag bags to a bunch of team players at semi regular intervals and event prizes/freebies the members give away is going to take a bit of coin. Plus there's the whole team management thing to think about. Someone has to maintain some kind of organizational over-watch to make sure the members are doing what is required of them and have what they need to do so. Those people will need to be paid too. Just my 2 peso, yen, cents.