British Cycling BMX commission Meeting

Saturday 9th December 2006 10.30hrs Eaton Hotel, Hagley Road, Birmingham

 

Minutes
Attendance Chas Shrosbree, Ian Thewlis, Phil Townsend, Jeremy Hayes, Pete Phillips, Roger Wilbraham, Tony Fleming. Absent: Euan Goodman,

1. Minutes of the last meeting

• UK BMX Logo. Requested that "Racing" should be included within the logo. Ian Thewlis (IT) to forward logo to CS for better quality versions.
• Gate System. Assurances were required that the gate timing UCI have agreed to will indeed become standard. Questions were raised as to the development of the random gate, which PP stated as something to be developed post 2008 Olympics. Rather than stipulate a type of system it was agreed to state that the timing of any system used must follow UCI regulations. The drop time can now be measured by laser, but at this time is only compatible with the Pro gate.
• Carole Gosling's international role still to be defined due to the cross over role with supporting riders on the BC performance program. It is hoped that Carole will take a lead role in providing riders with more information relevant to Hotels, rules, event specifics, which will hopefully encourage more riders to race abroad. It was also noted that a stand in or replacement would be needed for Carole to mentor. JH to speak to Carole and BC to define the role.
• Club Development. This role will take Ian (IT) a while to carry out the necessary research. Other such development possibilities like track open days and "Bring a Buddy" races need to be considered as part of the development literature. The Commission requested more information relating to the benefits of Go-Ride and the BC region manager and go-ride coach roles in developing cycling. RW to arrange for a presentation.
• BC Website. Although a vast improvement, the amount of information on the BC website was considered to be a hindrance. IT to look into buying a domain name to direct to the BC BMX section of the website, as using search engines to identify BMX racing did not always show the BC website near the top. RW to look in to improving search rating.
• Sponsorship. Document finalised so distribution to start ASAP. CS requested 6 DVDs and documents.
• Race fees. No objection to the race fees for 2007, although a return to the discount for families would confuse some initially. Discount will only be offered to families living at the same address, which must be proved via the BC membership card. No BC membership card = no discount.
• PA system. No progress as yet. The following issues need to be considered. Minimum of 4 speakers required. Could also go up to 6 small speakers to ensure a good spread without being too loud. The PA system and music will have to be managed to ensure any investment is worthwhile. A trailer to carry the PA system may also need consideration (All to investigate trailer costs). New radio mics are also required (PT to investigate costs). Sound checks at some venues with a previous record of noise pollution complaints will have to be considered.

2. 2007 National Series Calendar 
NASS (July7-8) & National Bike Show (April 28-29) dates have been left clear, as it is anticipated that racing will take place on at least one of those events. TF to work with the Bike show organisers and 4130, as sponsorship has been requested by the organisers.

Elite Champs. Due to any rider competing in the Elite National Championships committing to racing Elite in any other UCI/UEC event of that year, the race was considered to be unappealing to the majority. As the event is a must attend for those riders chasing UCI points, the race will run after practice on Saturday the 30th of June. UCI set guidance on race dates, so as close as possible to the 8th of July is requested. A decision will be made on whether to run other classes on the day or to just run a one off race. This race will not affect the Elite British Championships, which will remain the major domestic end of season race.

Race dates for 2007 remain as per last minutes. Only change is the clash with the Bike Show. The new date clashes with Klatovy European Round, but was not considered a major inconvenience although it is noted that several national officials will be at Klatovy. Permission to clash with a UEC event has been requested.

April 7-9 Round 1 and 2
May 5-6 Round 3
May 26-28 Round 4 and 5
June 30/July 1 Round 6
August 11-12 Round 7
August 25-27 British Championships

Holding a national post British Championships has historically been fairly flat and poorly attended. A three event autumn national series was suggested as a way of enthusing riders and extending the season. Cheddar has already offered to host a Pro Open in October under floodlights, which will be considered along with any other interested clubs. Although no dates have been set, September and October are considered the best months. Region secretaries to forward applications from clubs.

Bolsover Council will be employing a coach during Spring 07. This will allow the Schools project to continue without an increase to staffing costs. Bolsover will be pursued for a quote covering all 07 major events. Friday to Sunday for single events, Friday to Monday for double headers. Quote also required for widening the Schools promotion to Thursday and Friday if finances allow. Action RW.

3. Presentation to Regions
A presentation was made to the region representatives, which outlined the suggested changes for 2007. The region also had the opportunity to give feedback after each section. The format below is as it was presented to regions.
Attendance
East Anglia  Pete Sargent, Dave Roberts  
South     Geoff Routledge, Richard Mahon
South West Harry Price, Steve Manaton  
North     Nicky Hawker, Lisa Clarke
Midlands   No representatives

THE AIM OF THE 2007 SUGGESTED CHANGES
The section below details what the aims of increased involvement are
Sustainable regions Development, coaching, better events, stronger committees, sponsorship seeking
Development policies Schools, Open days, Major events, more and improved facilities, grant funding, Go-Ride clubs
Trust & Partnership Trust between; BC BMX, Regions, Development Officers, Councils
Increased feedback Riders on region committees, regions attending commission meetings, minutes distribution

UCI STANDARD GATE AT ALL NATIONALS
Internationally recognised and endorsed Used for World and Euro Champs, Euro Series and World Cups. Seen as being a benefit to riders.
Each venue to be assessed for compatibility What system is currently being used. Track by track assessment
Support if required No club has to go it alone
This isn't a must do for all clubs, it just major events Reliability and consistency is the key. The Commission are not saying only one gate can be used, it's just aiming for consistency throughout 2007, using UCI guidelines

Region feedback; General agreement that it was good to have a standard but some concern about the possible costs to clubs which was generally minimised by comments from PP and PT who will work together over winter to see what common ground (e.g. ram mounts) there is between the two most common systems

RIDER REPS REQUIRED FROM ALL REGIONS
Regions to provide rider reps?
Region reps obtaining feedback from clubs and riders?

Region feedback; Some Regions noted they too have problems getting rider reps from clubs to regional Level, but generally agreed that rider representation needed to be improved although not necessarily along the Riders rep Committee route although no other clear ideas were put forward so it remains an open issue.

REGION IDENTITY
Each region to take ownership of their national Give region or sponsor identity to the title of the event, attract host region riders with localised promotion.
Assistance from BC BMX in achieving their own aims. Regions need to inform BC BMX if assistance is required in helping to achieve their event aims. Assistance will be offered to ensure regions can resolve issues that stop the standards being raised.

Regions feedback; The ideas were generally well received although Pete Sargent had reservations about not including the club name in the event title as in his case they receive funding for the event from the local council. Geoff Routledge mentioned difficulties in obtaining Go-Ride status and coaching courses for Bournemouth Club. RW to contact South region manager.

ONE NATIONAL PER REGION
In an ideal world, but still open to alternatives We will have to see how the applications play out. There is always the option of events outside of the main national series
Giving up the right to run a national to obtain the Brits Not an alternative, unless only one club applies to run the Brits.
The Brits will be run by the region with the best application Each application will be assessed and awarded to the region with the best overall package.
Selected track should provide the best event in their region Each region will nominate their preferred event. The Commission will only object if the venue is not national standard.
If a region can't comply, then it will be thrown open The option to hold nationals in Wales, Scotland or two in 1 region will be pursued if a region cannot comply. Applications from clubs should be sent to the host region secretary by a date in January yet to be agreed.

The National Event guidelines will be updated to take into account the new event specifications, so all applicants and regions will be aware of the responsibilities. The guidelines will ask each club/region to nominate 4 of the 5 event weekends prioritising each option. If the applications allow, then each event will be offered their first choice date, although this is unlikely.

Region feedback; the general principal was well received. The concept of a further three 1 day autumn nationals - or 2 plus a floodlit event at Cheddar was also put forward and seemed to get approval as a concept - more work is required by the commission to decide on format, etc.

TROPHIES PER NATIONAL
A region responsibility will be to organise one of the following:
Give all 20" class riders under a certain age an attendance medal after the 3rd Moto? Rather than awarding achievement, the option to award attendance was offered.
Award all finalists with a trophy? Strictly achievement based, but it is recognised that it could be the same riders each time.
Award top 3 with a trophy and all riders under a certain age with medals? This option dealt with awarding achievement and attendance

Region feedback; It was agreed that any awards should be results based rather than on attendance but that awards at each event may not be the way to go. A voucher scheme for younger (12U) riders was suggested and TF agreed to talk to the recognised traders (track side and shop based) with a view to getting some financial input into the cost of setting up the voucher scheme where the vouchers could be redeemed at the traders who were supporting the scheme.

END OF SEASON TROPHIES
To achieve trophies/medal per event, then may need to reassess:
Currently all riders who have competed in at least 5 nationals receive a trophy. The presentation needs to become slicker and more professional.
Propose just top 8 receive at end of year?
Propose just 8 for trophies and medals for all?
Propose top 8 if under 25 rider average or top 16 if 26+ average?

Region feedback; Again it was agreed that any awards should be results based rather than on attendance and that the system should be kept simple. It seemed that a top 8 per class award structure was preferred if the awards per event as suggested above was implemented.

NO CLIPS OPTION
Suggested as a way of showing the commission does not have a bias To support all forms of development, not just assisting riders to compete on level terms abroad.
BMX media appeal and will also appeal to those riders currently outside of racing Will also aid quest for sponsorship
Post World Championship events to be flat pedal only? Initially looking at major domestic events in 2007.
Does not affect elite, as their Championship will be in June. This was the initial thought, but due to UCI stipulating that elites in National champs remain elite this could be a low attendance event. The focus will remain to be around the Brits and not the Elite Champs.
Could also include 30+ classes for the full season The option of looking at 30+ categories becoming flat pedal only wasn't widely discussed due to the meeting becoming animated, so will be reviewed again by the commission.

Region feedback; as expected this animated the room with the two distinct camps having unswerving views. However, there was a clear majority agreement that the national series should not be changed after the Worlds and would remain as 2006 unless UCI/UEC issue further direct instructions. The suggestion of the Brits and or the Autumn Nationals being Flats only was left for the regions to discuss and report back to BC HQ by January 29 2007.

BMX RANKINGS 2007
BC is now able to provide a system which combines events and series into one ranking system. The following points for regions to consider were put forward.
Certain races will all score points towards a British ranking
Best 8-12 results in one calendar year to count?
From when to when? Currently December to November
Which events should be included?
Summer Regionals? Nationals? UCI events? One off events? Opens?
Categories need to mixed with the appropriate age group for this to work
Only their licensed category will score points
Follow existing MTB points structure, A to D?
Should a sanction fee apply to cover cost of Chief Referee?

Region feedback; even after RW's explanation of the idea there were some in the room who did not fully appreciate the various words used within cycling (i.e. Standings, Rankings etc). However, the general agreement that as a data recording process to provide added interest and enable better understanding of trends it was a positive move. RW to look into it in more detail and to ensure both 20" and Cruiser are included as options.

FINANCE
A financial reward to all regions participating for promotional use Amount not yet agreed, as it will depend on trophy and other promotional items. As finance will be awarded, a representative from each region will liaise with Chas or Tony depending on promotion or fulfilling a sponsorship requirement.
The club hosting the best event will also receive a cash award? Suggested as an incentive to clubs
A pre determined set of parameters will be agreed and used to mark each event Not yet determined, but expected to be tangible items such as camping, track, trackside as well as non tangible areas such as atmosphere, overall appearance and entertainment.

Region feedback; the view was that a trophy rather than money should be awarded to the best host club and that a cash award to the winning region for promotion in that region would help tie all clubs into their region more. The decision on the best event should include all regions as well as input from the commission and that a set of criteria needs to be drawn up and agreed with the regions before the first national.

ROLE OF THE REGION - PROMOTION
The region role is expected to include the following areas:
Radio promotion. Host region to contact all regional radio stations 
TV promotion. Invite the local TV and supply proof of who has been contacted
Assist in the Schools promotion on the Friday (maybe Thursday as well) Contact local Schools after consulting with local school sports coordinator and BC regional manager
Offer an agreed length of advertising space for local sponsors applicable to each event. More about region ownership. Obtain local sponsors to aid regional identity.
Sponsorship raised should be kept by the host club or used towards the event
Dependant upon format of their weekend, the region should seek evening entertainment Or assist the club to provide entertainment, as it will most likely be obtained locally.

ROLE OF THE REGION - GENERAL
On the day presentation including the erection and take down of banners Regions need to take note that open tracks will require this task to be done twice if it is a double header.
Supply and erect a PA system that is tried and tested as being suitable for location. The aim is that this will be supplied for the event, although it will still need setting up.
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. Dependent upon an agreed medal/trophy/voucher per event.
Supply content for the race programme. More about ownership. Requires a "our scene" section, track guide, club and team review, rider interview.
Assist the club with inviting traders to the event Create a mini gala

Region feedback; this was generally accepted by those present and a number of other issues were raised, the most important of which are:

Friday evening practice - a fixed charge for the session should be agreed and applied by all regions that wish to open their track, bearing in mind that these sessions must be fully marshalled and covered by adequate medical support. It was suggested that ?5 for 2 hours was reasonable and must be adhered to be all event hosts.

Trader's public liability insurance. Bournemouth highlighted that their council will not allow traders onto the site until the council have seen copies of the traders insurance. In addition to that it is also noted that a number of councils are insisting that any electrical equipment used in public areas has a valid safety test - this will include items such as generators, mains leads (including extension leads) PA systems, camera systems, computers, etc. These issues will need to be added to the event guideline document.

4. AOB
Due to time constraints, no other issues were discussed and a number of agenda items were still to be addressed.

5. Next Meeting.   February tbc.