British Cycling BMX Commission Meeting Minutes

 

Saturday 21st October starting at 10.30hrs Eaton Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham

Minutes

 

1. Attendance.     

Attended C. Shrosbree, T. Fleming, I. Thewlis, P. Phillips, R. Wilbraham, E. Goodman,
Unavailable Jeremy Hayes, Phil Townsend, Jonny Clay

Tony Fleming and Ian Thewlis were welcomed to the meeting. A brief explanation of what is expected of a member with regards behaviour was given by RW on behalf of PT.

2. Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were passed as correct. Other issues that were discussed again were:

• Adding minutes to the BC website. This will now happen. Action RW.
• A BC BMX logo is still required. Action CS & TF.
• The UCI regulation on shorts in BMX to be followed. Correct wording of regulation not yet agreed. Action PT.
• As proposed for 07, it is expected that the Pro Gate system will be used at all nationals. To be supplied by PP in 07. Guidance on fitting to be supplied to all hosts not currently using the Pro gate system. Further discussion to be held with host clubs to ensure this is feasible. Action PP.
• No regions have come forward with rider rep nominations. To be pursued again direct with regions at next meeting. Action RW.

3. Commission Roles 

Marketing, Sponsor & Media Relations Tony Fleming / Chas Shrosbree
Club Development   Ian Thewlis
International Affairs Carole Gosling is the ideal person to continue in this role as long as the role with World Class doesn't clash. Action PP and RW.

4. Sponsorship

Cloud Cover wish to continue with their canopies. Banners sought. Action RW.
TF presented a proposal for sponsorship. It was agreed that the document presented a good image of BMX. Front page requires defining to items that may appeal to sponsors rather than the listed necessities. Images on pages 2 And 3 agreed as ideal. Sponsorship levels may need tailoring to the company, I.E. In or out of cycling industry. TF's details require adding to the last page to ensure there are 2 contacts. Document needs to offer a 2 year deal to entice sponsors who may see the Olympic year as a hook. Action TF.
Promotional DVD to be produced in a higher quantity with a DVD label and case. Action RW.
TF and CS to work together on certain aims, as sponsorship and promotion work hand in hand.

5. Club Development

Ian will collate examples of good practice as well as issues affecting club development. No immediate timescale set to the project to allow Ian to develop the role. Ian discussed ways of delivering information to clubs and to other bodies in a concise format. Multiple literature leaflets proposed rather than just one booklet.

PP to work on the track building guide ASAP. A DVD will be produced to go with the guide, but cannot be produced until the next track building project. Action PP.

6. 2006 National Series Review  

The 2006 season was reviewed event by event. All clubs to be refunded the ?250.00 bond. It was agreed that a cash incentive would probably work better than the refundable bond. Ideas on implementing this to be discussed at the next meeting.

7. 2006 Changes and reviews

• Double Age Groups 2 year review. The issues for and against double age groups were discussed. The overall impression is that it has been successful and will increase the standard of racing long term without losing riders due to harder racing.
• Practice times will be extended to around 6 hours on a Saturday. Exact schedule will be agreed once the series has been agreed.   
• Music and PA. All agreed that Michael Pusey has provided a unique service this year and has worked well with other commentators. Due to increased cost in 07, it is not considered at this time that Michael will be used. The role in 07 needs to be stage managed, possibly with the use of a computer to play a pre scheduled track at the right time. The issue of BC BMX owning or renting a PA system will also be investigated. Action TF & PP
• Schools promo. BMX promotion has taken place at certain national towns this year and is considered a successful educational exercise, although it's actual worth to local clubs is yet to be investigated. Seven Schools were visited at the following locations: Peterborough, Tredegar, Cheddarx2, Burnham, and DocasterX2. Milly no longer works for Bolsover Council. The truck's effectiveness to be ascertained before booking for 07. Action RW.
• Medical cover. Four companies have been used over the last 2 years. Current medical suppliers are the best so far, although CS questioned their on the spot evaluation on one incident. Medical cover for Euro Champs supplied a post event report. All considered the report worthwhile but for the majority meaningless due to their lack of understanding.

Proposed changes to the 2007 National Series
Greater regional identity and ownership of the national series events are required if a continued improvement in events are to be seen. The pressure on the host club is more noticeable than ever and a wider base of volunteers is required. The region will be offered 1 national event weekend. This may be one of 2 double headers or one of 3 single events. It will be up that region to ensure that the nominated host club and track are worthy of national status and can provide an A1 condition track on race weekend. If the region cannot nominate an event, Wales or one of the 5 English regions will be offered the event or a single header will be changed to a double. The Brits will be offered to all 5 regions. The Brits will be awarded to the region with the best proposal. All clubs and regions will be informed of the new proposal structure ASAP. Action RW.

• Trophies will be awarded to riders by achievement and not just by attendance. It will be top 8 or top 16 depending on the overall rider count. Classes with fewer than 8 riders will be assessed differently.
• Medals or trophies to be awarded at all rounds for 20" class riders aged 12 and under. It is yet to be decided how this will be achieved. All riders or just those who do not qualify beyond Motos?
• Events running after the World Championships have a no clips option. This suggestion is based purely around appealing to those that see this as the best way of promoting BMX to the masses, gaining awareness of other cycling media and showing that as a commission, we don't have a bias. Pre World Championship events should be open choice and not restricted to flat pedals. This will only happen if agreed by the majority of regions and no negativity is directed towards the commission. If there is a negative response, then the proposal will be withdrawn.
• Race fees
  16 and under £15.00  
  17 and over £20.00
  Elite £25.00   
  2nd bike race fee £5.00
  Any category for riders aged 16 years and over will take the higher race fee.
  2nd entry for family of 2 is reduced by £5.00. 3rd entry for family of 3 is reduced by £10.00. Proof of same address via BC licence to be the only proof requested.
  Reduce Novice fees to £5.00, which ends the £3.00 refund to the host club.
• Reduce Elite to one final at all events.
• Prize Money
  Top 7 in Elite only, not top 11. Similar overall prize fund to 06, but increased payout to top 7.
  Top 3 in Junior Men
  Top 3 in Junior Women 
  Top 3 Elite receive end of season prize fund dependant upon sponsorship
• 12 & Under Cruiser to continue in 07 despite low numbers in 06. Elite Cruiser not yet discussed for 07.
• Although a step between 19+ and Elite is sought, numbers dictate that this isn't possible. 30+ Masters to be replaced with a 25+ Masterclass flat pedal only class, possibly with a top 3 payout.
• BMX Ranking points structure to be introduced in 07. This will include regional, national and UCI events. A rider's best 8 results to count towards the end of season rankings. This will not affect the national series standings.
• Trackside retailers & BMX race specific websites to be offered a 4-5 metre banner space at all rounds they attend.
• Single events licences to be considered as an option for 07. This will allow a rider access to one national in one season. Cost will be ?10.00 for 17 and over and ?1.50 for 16 and under. If accepted, this fee will be payable by all who cannot prove they have a BC licence. Action RW.
• End of season number plates. Different options are sought to replace the current method. Lizard Skins to be consulted initially. Action PP.

Role of the Region
This role will be defined with the region reps at a meeting in early December. A financial reward to all regions participating will be agreed at the next meeting. Although the regions will have to spend money to meet the guidelines, it is also anticipated regions will gain from this as well. The region/club hosting the best event will also receive a cash award. A pre determined set of parameters will be agreed and used to mark each event. The region role is expected to include the following areas:

• Radio promotion. Host region to contact and supply list of those contacted and who is attending.
• TV promotion. Invite the local TV and supply proof of who has been contacted.
• On the day presentation including the erection of banners (take down and set back up if double header), track maintenance and general manpower tasks including pens.
• Supply and erect a PA system that is tried and tested as being suitable for location.
• DJ to play and supply music (yet to be agreed if this will be a national contract).
• Provide on the line presentation of trophies/medals.
• Assist in the Schools promotion on the Friday (maybe Thursday as well) through their local BC regional Manager and School sports coordinator. To also arrange for local riders to attend.
• Offer at 30 metres of advertising space for local sponsors applicable to each event. Sponsorship raised should be kept by the host club or used towards making a better event.
• Supply content for the race programme. To include an "Our Scene" piece plus team or club bio and a rider interview.
• Dependant upon location and format of their event, the region should seek Saturday evening entertainment as well as assist the club with inviting traders to the event.

8.  2007 Proposed Calendar & Weekend format

April 7-9 Round 1 and 2
April 28-29 Round 3
May 26-28 Round 4 and 5
June 30/July 1 Round 6 and Elite National Champs. (400 Euro fee required by UCI).
August 11-12 Round 7
August 25-27 British Championships
Sept 15-16 Spare date, but it is expected to be utilised.
" Dependant upon an agreed practice schedule, race clinics will be sought and proposed to Jeremy Hayes to be run in conjunction with regional BMX coaches and pro riders. Action RW.

Proposed Practice Schedule   6 hours of practice from Midday until 6.00pm
Open Practice
Midday until 1pm Male 6 yrs to 14 yrs. Female 6 yrs to 15 yrs, Cruiser -12 to 15.
1pm until 2pm  Male 15 yrs and older, Cr 16 yrs and older, Jnr and 25+ female
Gate Practice
Group 1 (45 minutes) 2.00pm until 2.45pm (Cruisers and Novices)
Group 2 (60 minutes) 2.45pm until 3.45pm (Female 6-15, Male 6-10)
Group 3 (75 minutes) 3.45pm until 5.00pm (Male 11-16)
Group 4 (60 minutes) 5.00pm until 6.00pm (Junior Male/Female and older)

9. AOB

A nomination for a volunteer award will be submitted. Action RW.

10. Next Meeting. 

December 9th 

All details noted above are at the proposal stage and will not be ratified until after the meeting in December. If changes are suggested, then finalising the format for 2007 may not be completed until early 2007.