BOC, FCC, Selection etc.

[RS]

Firstly, congratulations to all those selected for EYOC and JWOC and commiserations to those who missed out.

Secondly, could someone explain the point of FCC when there is no longer a final and selections are made before the end of the series?

Thirdly, why isn't BOC a selection race? Thought it was supposed to be our premier event

Fourthly, apologies if I'm asking questions previously posed and answered.

[Scott]

To shed some light on your question about the FCC I'd recommend having a look at the December 2010 International Committee minutes, which say:

FCC Final 2010
There has recently been considerable discussion as a result of the decision not to make the 2010 FCC Final a selection race. As a result the FCC in 2010 will now operate as series of races with no final event.

GC emphasised that this was a decision based purely on the circumstances for 2010 e.g. uncertainty around the organisation of the final at the time the selection races needed to be decided and the proposed timing relative to other key events. It didn’t set a precedent for future years, which would be looked at on a case by case basis. GC made it clear that he sees the FCC having an important role to play in the development of junior athletes and that athletes should be encouraged to race in the whole series, not just those events chosen as selection races.

GC added that he was intending to work with Dave Peel in his new Events Management role to develop the FCC and the competition structure as a whole to provide the best domestic basis possible for the World Class Programme.

I think there's definitely an argument for having a series of quality races providing good competition for the top juniors, even if that series isn't being used for selection (much as the UK Cup is supposed to do for the seniors). Whether the FCC in its current format provides that is a different question.

[Mrs H]

I have also questioned this in the other thread.

The FCC final was more than just a straight forward selection race - there were a number of guaranteed JWOC places up for grabs to the winners which meant that if you put in the effort to qualify for the finals then anything could happen irrespective of reputation, favouritism or any other perceived force at work.

The mystique of this approach kept a number of youngsters in the sport for longer than they might have done and kept them keen in the lull between junior tours/schools comps and university.

On balance - despite the effort and expense that entails to the parents - I would say it was a good thing. I think it is a great shame it has fallen through the net this year - it should have been a priority and God knows there are enough paid officials at BOF now to take on the organisation of a dedicated FCC final at a time appropriate to selection.

Instead of IC hand wringing they should have been pulling their fingers out and made it happen

The stall will have to be very attractively set to get this going again - at least top 3 automatic tickets to JWOC I think!

[awk]

I was told by someone that it was an event that required a lot, and was proving difficult to put on.

Hmmm....the early FCCs were put on by tiny teams at dedicated events. The feedback was excellent. They were not exactly onerous nor expensive to put on.

Maybe some of these things are getting to be a bit bloated? Just a thought.

There again, it wasn't a selection race (although it was still possibly the most competitive junior competition of the year).

[mharky]

Thirdly, why isn't BOC a selection race? Thought it was supposed to be our premier event

The JK is our premier event