British Cycling's Cycle Speedway Commission met last Saturday to consider a wide agenda ranging from rules reviews to discipline, development to to the 2011 Wolrd championships. The main topics of discussion were:
Premier Combination in Doubt
The Cycle Speedway Commission plans to do away with Premier League Combination racing next season. Concern was expressed at last weekend’s national executive meeting that some riders were transferring to PL clubs, only to find themselves unable to ride regularly in PL matches. The Commission felt it would be in the sport's best interest for some riders to stay with the their regional clubs. In order to combat the problem, it was agreed that from 2011 the PL Combination League be discontinued in favour of promoting regional league racing. Premier Combination is always a contensious issue, so the Commission will seek the views of clubs before confirming their decision.
Sponsor for Women's and Girls' League
Commissioners heard that the Women's and Girls' League will be sponsored by Sheffield-based communications company One2Call who have supplied ten jerseys for each region and made a contribution of £250 towards awards. The competition will be run with both a paired team format plus an individual event (two age groups of under and over 15 years). If successful, it is envisaged that, in future years, it will be run on independent dates/venues, rather than be tied in with other matches. Regulations to be based on the BYJL.
Academy Juniors Heading for Poland
It is expected that 24 of the 28 riders who attended the first Academy Day will travel to Poland for the European Championships. Further training sessions are planned before riders leave, using, it is hoped, specialist facilities at Sheffield.
Promotions
A promotional meeting is to be held at the Bike Radar event at Brands Hatch on the weekend of 10/11th of July. On the same weekend there will be a static display at the Cardiff Speedway GP.
Suspended Fine for Norwich
Norwich CSC has received a £100 fine, suspended for twelve months, after a derogotory statement about a referee was printed in the club programme. The club will also be required to write a letter of apology to the referee concerned, Mike Legge.
Smoking Ban
Smoking and drinking alcohol at junior matches has been outlawed. The Commision have brought in a new rule, which although it won't become 'law' until 2011, clubs are asked to enforce with immediate effect.
The new regulation states 'Where a day of racing is restricted to riders of the Under 18 (junior) and/or younger categories, the drinking of alcohol and smoking shall be forbidden in the pit area, spectator stands plus all other areas related to the match surrounding the track perimeter fence'.
It was also agreed that a 20 metre exclusion zone from the perimeter fence would also come into effect. This to stop smokers who stand just outside the pit area. Appropriate signage would now be required to cover this new ruling, which although not coming into effect until 2011, it would be appreciated if clubs could work upon this with immediate effect. Referees to administer this ruling within their reports.
Starting Blocks
The Commisssion also discussed starting blocks, frequently used in junior racing. It was felt that riders who used blocks or were supported by parents at the start, had an unfair advantage over the other riders, particularly when the parents actually held their children in an upright manner enabling the child to have both feet on the pedals at the start. A senior official was appointed to look into this and report back to the next Commission meeting.
Project 2015 Maintains Momentum
The keenly anticipated 2015 Development Plan continues to progress under the leadership of Tim Metcalf, who intends to have a launch meeting with all regions plus other key personnel.
World Championships Dates Confirmed
Dates for the 2011 World Champiosnhips were confirmed as 16th - 25th April 2011, at Edenton USA.
Eastern Promise
The East Region had been invited to stage the 2011 Final weekend.
It is expected the full minutes wil appears on British Cycling's website soon.
'NEW LOOK' COMMISSION MEET IN BIRMINGHAM - posted 10 February 2010
British Cycling's Cycle Speedway Commission met at the Eaton Hotel on Saturday. The national committee had something of a new look, with Paul Bodley, Ian Grange and Ivan Pike attending their first meeting alongside Colin Docker (chair), Mike Hack, Bob Prince, Pete Ward, Ian Brown, Mike Legg, Dave Flemming, (Premier League Manager) and newly appointed BC Cycle Speedway Coordinator Paul West (BC Staff) pictured.
As expected much of the early debate centred on the Premier League. With Ipswich and Stoke withdrawing their applications and Great Blakenham deciding to opt out this season, the Commission agreed to run the 2010 competition with seven teams, one less than last year.
It appears the Commission considered a blue-print for the league's future including an assessment criteria based on a variety of factors. It was agreed that the bottom ranked club in the PL assessment scoring at the end of each season would be removed, irrespective of the number of clubs in the league in that season. By 2013 Clubmark status would be a requirement of Premier League membership.
Following criticism of the way club notifications were handled this year, it was agreed that "particular care should be taken as to the timing of team notification to teams as to the outcome of their league application."
Some concerns were expressed about the non-constitutional status of the International Cycle Speedway Federation. The Commission felt it important for international racing to be administered in a democratic manner which is answerable to its membership governing bodies. The subject will be discussed more fully at the next Commission meeting on Saturday 8 May.
Commissioners Ian Brown and Bob Prince will act as Tour Directors for the 2011 World Championships in the USA while manager Pete Barnes will appoint the appropriate support staff.
Referees will receive notofication of their 2010 gradings direct from British Cycling headquarters in the near future. Meanwhile referees official Mike Hack will remind all referees of the need to include all incident on their report forms, whether they directly witness by them or not.
The Academy report was received (reported elsewhere on spokesman-online). It was hoped that BC's regional development officers would be able to assist in attracting local funding for Academy activities.
The keenly awaited debate on the proposed cycle speedway track at the Olympic Velo-Park complex was discussed. To date, there has been no definitive answer why there is now no longer a CS track planned within the Velo Park complex.
The stature of cycle speedway referees shirts was discussed and British Cycling agree to supply more XXX Large sizes!!! (true!)
It is hoped the British Cycling truck will be in attendacne at the Britsih Speedway Grand Prix at Cardiff on 10 July, presumbly to stage a static cycle speedway exhibiton, although the minutes of the meeting remain silent on that. It is also hoped to include some cycle speedway 'Come and try It' sessions at Sky Ride events this year.
There was discussion on the South-East region's decision not to rename the region 'East' in accordance with regional conference recommendations. However the region's view was over-ridden by the Commission and the region will be called 'East' after all.
The minutes relate - "The Chairman had investigated a report on Spokesman website that East Region had unilaterally rejected the conference decision regarding the regional rename, which was defined by conference alongside other regional renaming, to more accurately reflect their geographic identity. The Chair of the region had explained that he had led a discussion which “rejected” the name change, citing various league trophies as SE titled.
The Commission felt compelled to support the decision of the recent conference to change the name of the South East Region to East. All official documents and the handbook 2010 onwards will refer to East Region. This does not have an effect on the title of SE League, and other league names within the region."
It was confirmed that where a club had not signed off a transfer form for a rider without good reason then BC HQ be permitted to do this on behalf of a club. It was also agreed that no special arrangements be made to allow riders to make transfers in time for the indoor season.
PAUL WEST REJOINS BRITISH CYCLING - posted 6 February 2010
One of cycling's best known administrators Paul West has rejoined British Cycling after taking a sabbatical to travel the world.
Paul, who was closely involved during the sport's transition to British Cycling back in 2000, was at today's Commission meeting as part of the settling in process for his new role, taking over from Brian Furness as Cycle Speedway administrator. Brian will be concentrating on off-road disciplines.
"I have worked with Paul when he previously worked for BC, and am looking forward to doing so again" said Colin Docker, British Cycling Director and chairman of the Cycle Speedway Commission.
"With his vast knowledge covering all aspects of cycle sport, Paul will be a great asset to BC and to the Speedway discipline. I would like to thank Brian for all the work he has done in the past, and will be pleased to continue working with him in connection with the Cyclo-Cross Commission."
SPECULATION GROWING OVER TOP APPOINTMENT - posted 1 February 2010
There is growing speculation that a familiar face is set to rejoin the Commission as cycle speedway's top administrator.
Although not confirmed yet, British Cycling is expected to announce on Sunday that Paul West will be taking over from Brian Furness as BC's national Cycle Speedway Co-ordinator with immediate effect.
Paul was British Cycling's first representative on the fledgling Cycle Speedway Commission in its early days in 2000 and helped to steer the sport during the transitional period.
PAUL BODLEY JOINS COMMISSION - posted 21 January 2010 - updated 22 January 2010
As widely predicted, Paul Bodley has joined the Cycle Speedway Commission in a corporate role (not Regional Officer as indicated earlier).
Confirming the decison this afternoon from his Shropshire home, Bodley, one of cycle speedway's most experienced and respected officials, told spokesmnan-online
"I am pleased to confirm that Colin Docker invited me to join the Commission during the delegate meeting in November. After giving a lot of thought to the matter, I have agreed.. Although I will have a corporate role, one of my first tasks will be to build closer ties between clubs and BC Regional Managers" explained Paul.
British Cycling's Cycle Speedway Commission met at the Eaton Hotel on Saturday. The national committee had something of a new look, with Paul Bodley, Ian Grange and Ivan Pike attending their first meeting alongside Colin Docker (chair), Mike Hack, Bob Prince, Pete Ward, Ian Brown, Mike Legg, Dave Flemming, (Premier League Manager) and newly appointed BC Cycle Speedway Coordinator Paul West (BC Staff) pictured.