The Pundamentals: Debutant Focus

It was a massive week of Punning this week and there was a record number of debutants. Inclusion has always been a top priority for The Pun-Off and everyone here at Punning House (me) is delighted that some of the major Barriers to Punning are being pulled down.

There are plenty of new Punners coming through and putting a marker down for recognition. With this in mind I have identified the two main points of entry for those Punners looking to take their wordplay to the next level. These are:

1. The Academy System
2. The Transfer Market

The Academy System:

Punners joining The Pun-off through the Academy system are generally those that have regularly watched the high-level Punning on show, commented and "Liked" Puns over the course of several weeks but not actually entered a Pun. They are typically already known to Punning House in some capacity. Gradually they begin to develop the confidence, composure and more crucially the hard material to participate. Eventually, they wake up on a Friday and say to themselves: "Yes, Punning is for me; today I will take the first steps to glory!".

It takes a brave person to enter the complex world of competitive Punning and you can be sure that in a year's time some of the great punners on show will have risen through the Academy system.

Let's have a look at some of the debut Punners from this week....you'll see conclusive proof that The Academy System is as fertile as ever. Join me now for....

DEBUTANT FOCUS!

Leon Cave

Solid efforts from a promising wordsmith. Currently buoyant, but needs time to find his feet. He looks to have a strong morning preference which could unsettle some of the more established "Pun-rush" lunch-time Punnists.

Chris Wain (from last week)

A belated acknowledgement for the Midlands Punning powerhouse. While voluminous in stature "Big" Chris Wain has a subtlety of touch that belies his size. As talented as he is zealous.

Stephanie Jane Sweeny

Dramatic assault on The Pun-Off this week from a Punner who chose to stay in the Academy for a few weeks longer than usual. This extra strength and conditioning work has paid dividends though and in this week's Pun-Off Sweeny looked dangerous and placed 2nd. What next for the promising Rookie?

Joanna Ferbrache

Many would have expected a Punner of Ferbrache's pedigree to have featured earlier. However, it appears that she's been plagued with a severe case of "Punner's Block". With her frustration finally assuaged we can be sure we'll see more of Ferbrache. While creative and careful she does have a tendency to find her own Puns disablingly hilarious.

Elanor Westfold

Westfold remains an unknown quantity. Scouting reports suggested that she would be an  ostentatious and powerful addition to the Pun-off; her contributions this week did little to disprove that. Certainly one to watch despite numerous Biss infringements.   

The Transfer Market:

Punners joining competitive play from The Transfer Market generally arrive with an already well developed skill set and a robust track record of Punning. While generally transferring from the lower level Pub/Casual Punning scenarios they often come highly recommended by existing Pun-off competitors.

They are occasionally not even known by Pun-Off House and they commonly transfer in from unregulated, fringe Punning bodies.

Some examples from this week's Pun-off are:

Katie Everson

A muscular debut; clearly of a punular disposition - a natural performer with an already established stylistic preference. Fervent.

Dave Shipley

Shipley dabbled with the Academy system but eventually went his own way. He's a maverick and possibly the last of his kind. A rare beast; too dangerous to live, too rare to die. He could blow The Pun-Off wide open if given the room to flex his wordplay muscles.   

Rheymayo Brooks

Uncompromising and a bookies favourite. However, he's notoriously injury prone and often falls short of a decent run of form. The New Year is likely to see Punners nervously waiting from week to week to see if Brooks is in the running.

Warren J. Williams

Punning all the way from the American South Warren "J-Dubs" Williams brings a different perspective to The Pun-Off. He's obviously been immersed in Punning on either side of The Atlantic; this makes him a dangerous foe for any complacent British Punner assuming they have a monopoly on Puns.

Rich Dinham

What a debut! Another Punner from a rich pedigree of Punners. The Dinham Punning Dynasty grows stronger...dangerous even. A family based, Mafia-style Punning war is likely to ensue with the Ferbrache's.  

....so there we have it; a brief insight into some of the new members to our Punning community. From my perspective it is a genuine pleasure to watch a new Punner take their first tentative steps on the Punning Path. It then pleases me even more to see them developing into tenacious, competent Punners just a few weeks later.

There exists a turning point in every Punners career where they find that their Desire to Pun has furtively transformed into a Need to Pun. It is a beautiful place to be; a warm, embracing addiction like no other - a joyous and liberating disease unknown by science and feared by society. I'm certain that many of this week's debutants are beginning to feel it taking hold.

Until next time Punners!