WELL ATTENDED MEETING IN SOUTH-WEST - posted 15 January 2012

A well attended South & South Wales "Fixtures & Rules" meeting, at Poole, put the finishing touches to plans for the 2012 season with a full and frank discussion on all the contentious issues, especially rider gradings and licences.

A non-agenda topic, introduced by George Hollebon, which caused a few ripples was the vexed problem of rider licences. Once again British Cycling want referees to sight original copies before every competition in 2012 - with photo-copies or BC membership lists not being deemed acceptable.

Paul West was present, as an invited guest, and he endorsed the official BC line that a fine should be imposed for any rider unable to produce a licence and, while this received a sympathetic hearing in some quarters, others felt that the dispensation operating in recent seasons should continue.
 
Picking up on conclusions from the November AGM, when a wish to simplify the rider grading arrangements was identified, it was agreed that for 2012 the grading system would only apply to Elite and Premier clubs.
 
After a review of 2011 gradings, and some debate on candidates for 2012, it was agreed that four Horspath riders would receive an A grade (Szymczak, Boaler, Harris and Morgans) plus three B grades (Hutt, Payne and Taylor). Meanwhile Poole's quartet of Polish riders
were all A's along with House and Young while Morgan, Mildon, Glover and Roberts were all assessed as grade B.
 
Premier League Newport have Carmichael as an A grade while Evans, Harrold, Sidwick and Tippins join the ranks of B graded riders. Finally, the A gradings for Southampton were identified as G.Wheeler and Colling with a B grade being awarded to Nathan Harris on the assumption that he will make a full time return this year.
 
There is to be no change to graded rider usage with options to be applied ranging from four B's, one A and three B's, two A's and two B's or three A's per match with additional restriction applying to some options. Close results and competitive league tables in recent seasons underlined the importance of these rules and, despite some talk about dropping the arrangements completely, this did not find support via a democratic decision making process. There was a positive approach to the Conference League (primarily for under-16 age group) with the decision that no gradings will apply to this discipline.
 
As discussed at the AGM, it was confirmed that the Gold Cup will be contested by the top three league clubs from the previous season at a neutral venue. A proposal to include U10 and Girl riders in the Conference League was withdrawn but once again the desire to
further reduce the age limit from 16 to 15 or even 14 in future was mooted.
 
Following concerns raised by some regional referees, in respect to the youngest age group competitions, there was support for the use of footblocks to assist at the start of races but not for outside assistance i.e. an adult holding rear wheels.
 
Final discussions revolved around the "rejuvenated Swindon club" leading an enthusiastic debate which sought to bring the National Indoor Championships to a prestigious venue in the region, such as the Oasis in Swindon. Paul West pointed out that this topic was on the agenda for next week's National Development Conference so further discussion was deferred.

FIXTURE PLANNING MEETING AT POOLE - posted 14 January 2012

The South & South Wales League's fixtures and rules meeting takes place at the Poole clubhouse tomorrow (Sunday 15 January) starting at noon.

As expected the question of riders' gradings wil be high on the agenda.  Both Exeter and Poole clubs will be making proposals to restrict the grading system to A grade riders only while East Newport suggest that any rider who has raced in the British individual championship final in the past five years should automatically be graded 'A'.

Other discussion points include making Gold Cup entry compulsory for all the region's clubs, Conference teams should include at leat one female rider and that riders should be able to start the race with one foot (toe) directly in contact with the ground whilst "Under Starters Orders".

We hope to bring you the main outcomes of the meeting later in the weekend.

SOUTH-EAST LEAGUE EXPANDS - posted 8 January 2012

2012 is likely to see an expansion in the number of teams competing in the South-East's various league competitions.

The surprise announcement of a new team in Norwich and the re-emergence of a Suffolk favourite was the highlight of today's South-East regional annual general meeting at Great Blakenham Village Hall.

Originally founded in 1988, North Park make a welcomed return to the local scene while Somersham has also been resurrected for the 2012 season.  Both teams will race in South-East Two which sees its numbers increase from six to eight teams next season.

Virtually all the region's clubs were represented at the well attended meeting, including invited guest Paul West who travelled down from British Cycling headquarters in Manchester.

The re-appearance of North Park came as a real surprise to many representatives.   The brainchild of former Irish international Craig Norton, their delegation made an impassioned plea to be allowed to race in the second division.  Norton explained that several local riders had expressed an interest in joining the new club which, subject to agreement of Norwich CSC and the local council, would be based at Eaton Park, venue for the recent British final.

North Park's delegation, Craig Norton and Richard Horne

Although priority would be on the recruitment of new members, eight established riders had already given their commitment to the club which takes its name from North Park Avenue bordering the attractive Victorian park.  The new club will be holding its annual meeting on Tuesday 24 January when further details of its squad will be unveiled.

The re-emergence of Somersham, led by local official Ivan Pike, is another welcome development.  With the emphasis on team development, British Cycling agreed to take a flexible approach to registrations to enable to the club to compete in league competition.

But it wasn't all good news.  Colchester are facing an uphill struggle for survival.  Their Shrub End track, in need of urgent refurbishment, was described as "dangerous" and a "safety hazard".  Although the club had applied for funding to carry out vital repairs including replacing the track surface, they are desperately short of riders and have no option but to take a year out to concentrate on rider recruitment for the next twelve months.

Uncertainties over the health of Great Blakenham were allayed when club representative Terry Ashford confirmed that they would be entering the same competitions as last year - despite a lack of commitment on the part of some riders at the end of the 2011 season.

In an unexpected development, Hethersett announced that they would not be competing in the regional under-16 league in 2012.

On the financial side, a trading loss of over £200 on the season will see an increase in some competition entry fees next season.

Probably the most significant decision which impacts on the sport both nationally and internationally, was the agreement, endorsed by British Cycling, to switch the European finals from East London to Ipswich.  

POSITIVE SOUTH-WEST AGM - posted 13 November 2011

All eight league clubs were represented at the 2011 South & South Wales AGM at Swindon today which once again proved to be a very positive meeting.

Dave Murphy was returned as Chairman and will double up as the regions' representative on the CS Commission. Rob Absalom had previously indicated his intention to stand down from the position of secretary but has agreed to an interim extension until such time as a new postholder is recruited. Andy Collett will continue to combine the jobs of treasurer and league recorder and Rob Carter continues to oversee competitions.
 
2011 season feedback from all clubs quickly found its way onto the white board and it was soon apparent that changes to the second and third tiers of league racing were being sought together with another look at the annually contentious rider grading system. There was unanimous support from clubs to upgrade the current combination division from a four-a-side, 8 heat event to a full 6+2 rider 12 heat match which will be titled Division Two.

Changes to the Conference will see a reduction from 15 heats to 12 and a reduction in the age restriction from U18 to U16, with the U18 limit retained for girls. Once again teams will be 6+2.
 
Division One will continue unchanged with East Newport, Exeter, Hellingly, Horspath, Newport, Poole, Southampton and Swindon competing. Entries for Division Two and the Junior Conference will be confirmed later.
 
Another significant change sees the Gold Cup become an end-of-season play-off style event featuring the top three clubs in the league table battling for the trophy using the highly popular three-team formula which was used 12 months ago for the 2010 league play-offs. Non-Elite/Premier clubs will once again contest the Rose Bowl at Swindon and the Individual Riders championships for Seniors and Under 16's will be at Southampton. The SW Best Pairs will double up with the Girls Individual championship and staged at Poole.
 
When it came to keeping what works best, the "all-in-one" Youth & Junior League got top marks in contrast to the National BYJL which once again drew wide criticism for the retention of the highly unpopular 2011 changes. The running sequence for the Region's 2012 league will be -  Round one Newport, round two East Newport, round three Swindon, round four Poole, round five Southampton, round six Exeter with the final at Horspath. The South West venues for the BYJL national round will be Exeter for the Junior U12 divisions and Filton for the Over 12's.
 
Clubs have been tasked to go away and submit their proposals for the vexed subject of gradings in time for the pre-season planning meeting on January 15th which is always a lively gathering. In closing the meeting, Dave Murphy acknowledged the importance of harmony and cooperation which all clubs agreed had been the most valuable feature of the past season.

GREAT SPIRIT IN MIDLANDS - posted 8 November 2011

A great spirit of co-operation was clearly evident at the Midland League
AGM, none more so in the flexible approach shown towards the Coventry club in their efforts to join the league in 2012.

Divisions One and Two will be contested by Wednesfield, Stoke, Sandwell, Leicester, Birmingham, East Park and Coventry, with Leicester also entering a Lions team in the second tier.

Division Three, whose purpose is to give racing to those below Elite/Premier standard, will continue with Bretford, East Park, Leicester and Sheffield, Coventry are yet to make a decision. The league will not operate with a set formula therefore giving clubs the opportunity to accommodate any number of riders according to demand.

Leicester are to stage the Midland League riders championship which will be run along BY&JL lines. It is hoped that the facility of being able to turn up on the day and ride will reverse the current trend of poor entry levels for individual events.