Bring back the FCC Junior Cup! We need your support

[AndyC]

Hey, don't criticise MHarky for being restrained -it doesn't come naturally to him!
And I thought the minute patronising in the extreme but at least it makes a consultation a required action.

[mharky]

I've been getting PR lessons from Chris Froome...

And as for "The Board also recognised that it was perfectly feasible for the competition to be run independently of British Orienteering but that would not be in the interests of the young athletes" - really? how exactly would it not be in the interests of young athletes to compete in the most important events of the year?

Yes, that statement is slightly worrying and reminds me a little bit about the scene in Without Limits where they go to Finland.

[awk]

I think Mharky is being very measured in his responses here - some parts of that minute are not only illogical but rather pompous too.

I think you are too greywolf. Some parts? It's so riddled with holes, it fair takes your breath away. Rather pompous? Makes David Brent look good!!

[Mrs H]

rather pompous

I'd have said down right patronising

 There is a gap in provision of competition for young elite athletes which it was anticipated would be filled as a later phase in the establishment of the UK Orienteering League.

How about now!

Why do I always feel that when someone comes up with a good idea BOF come out with the line - "well we've already thought of that" but as they actually haven't - they have to buy themselves a bit of time.

[Lard]

I am so peed off with such Committee members who do not recognise when something right is being put forward.

Mark, not sure what you're thoughts are right now but:
a. your suggestion of an FCC league helps athletes focus on a smaller number of races than what the National O League is offering.
b. your suggestion focusses on attracting athletes to key races during the most important part of an aspiring athlete's build up season - towards EYOC and JWOC.
c. your suggestion removes a significant amount of travel, the need to remain in peak shape for a long period (impossible anyway) and some elements of doubt about the value of attending all the NOL races.

I sincerely hope that, in consultation with Dave Peel and the Performance Group (which I hope you'll stand on eventually) you come to a swift and equitable solution that does provide an FCC style focus in the Spring of 2013. I fear that we are running out of time but all the best with this, you have my full support.

[Red Adder]

To me the telling comment was that Mark was quite welcome to do something along the lines of the FCC but must accept that as far as JWOC selection was concerned it was irrelevant. Very shortly, when Govt financial support dwindles to didly squit, BOF are going to have to depend on members to fund their chosen projects. They might just find that their arrogance and failings in this and various other matters will not be forgotten by the membership.

[DaveK]

BOF are going to have to depend on members to fund their chosen projects. They might just find that their arrogance and failings in this and various other matters will not be forgotten by the membership.

Certainly, I remember the days that we travelled around the country with my two girls to FCC events, which they absolutely loved taking part in. Selection for JWOC was certainly an incentive for them. I'd very much support something similar continuing in future.

I'm not sure, however, who, in this case and others mentioned on this forum recently - where the 'finger of blame' has been pointed - who 'BOF' are? Is it that man Mike Hamilton, who I've always regarded as a pretty good Chief Executive and certainly not seemingly arrogant in any sense?

I'm confused (or perhaps naive?). If someone can 'name names', I might be able to grasp it all a bit better?

[Spookster]

Mark, not sure what you're thoughts are right now but:
a. your suggestion of an FCC league helps athletes focus on a smaller number of races than what the National O League is offering.
b. your suggestion focusses on attracting athletes to key races during the most important part of an aspiring athlete's build up season - towards EYOC and JWOC.
c. your suggestion removes a significant amount of travel, the need to remain in peak shape for a long period (impossible anyway) and some elements of doubt about the value of attending all the NOL races.

That may be the case, but when the 2013 Season Selection Policy is published, that will also help athletes focus on a small number of relevant selection races, at the right time of year.

To me the telling comment was that Mark was quite welcome to do something along the lines of the FCC but must accept that as far as JWOC selection was concerned it was irrelevant.

That's certainly not what was said. You've mis-understood the minute. It doesn't say "will not be", it says "may not be". The point is that it's not for Mark to determine that an FCC Final will be a JWOC selection race, and nor for that matter is it for the Board to decide that. The Performance Programme / Performance Committee produces and approves the Season Selection Policy.

Performance Committee includes two athlete reps, and is holding its next meeting on 3rd November, at the same time/place as the squad planning weekend. I see athlete input to the performance programme planning as an essential element.

[Paul Frost]

Who is on the "Performance Committee"?

I did a search of the British Orienteering website and couldn't find any reference to it.
The nearest I could find was the "International Committee" which should have 2 athlete reps (but only 1 is listed), and the last minutes published were from Nov 2011, but it says that they meet a minimum of twice a year.

Good communications and transparency are important in ensuring that misunderstandings don't happen and ensuring the support of the people and volunteers involved or affected.

[Spookster]

Who is on the "Performance Committee"?

I did a search of the British Orienteering website and couldn't find any reference to it.
The nearest I could find was the "International Committee" which should have 2 athlete reps (but only 1 is listed), and the last minutes published were from Nov 2011, but it says that they meet a minimum of twice a year.

International Committee was renamed to Performance Committee as agreed at the December 2011 Board meeting.

Good communications and transparency are important in ensuring that misunderstandings don't happen and ensuring the support of the people and volunteers involved or affected.

Agreed, must do better, sorry!

[mharky]

The point is that it's not for Mark to determine that an FCC Final will be a JWOC selection race

When speaking with Dave Peel and the board I made it perfectly clear that that wasn't an objective of mine. What has often been misquoted is that I have the belief that a race that is made a selection race will become significant to athletes in a way other races cannot match. I let it be known that I believe that having the cup, or final, or any combination of, as part of the selection processes will undoubtedly increase the standing of the event.

I was never demanding that the FCC was brought back and made a first-past-the-post selection race for JWOC, despite what some people have implied.

I would love to see a spring-based junior cup, with well attended and competitive races, as part of the selection process because the race itself warrants it. I would never want to see a race being made a selection race in an attempt to make it well attended and competitive.

[LostAgain]

Who is on the "Performance Committee"?

which should have 2 athlete reps (but only 1 is listed)

Who are the athelete reps?

[Paul Frost]

International Committee was renamed to Performance Committee as agreed at the December 2011 Board meeting.

Good communications and transparency are important in ensuring that misunderstandings don't happen and ensuring the support of the people and volunteers involved or affected.

Agreed, must do better, sorry!

I don't want to rub this in as you are a volunteer just like me, but the fact that 10 months ago the committee was renamed and 10 months later the website hasn't been updated to reflect the name change or had the members of it updated isn't really covered by

Considering that the website should be the prime form of communications to members, the press and the public it seems strange that no one on the board or paid employee seems to have ownership/responsibility of it. It's no wonder that poor communication is the most common complaint I hear about British Orienteering.

You can't just pay someone to build you a site and then walk away, websites require constant care and attention and if no one takes pride and ownership of it then it just dies a slow death as people stop visiting it.

[DIDSCO]

I wrote to Sarah Hague over a week ago to ask the reasons behind why there is no longer any British Junior Team at the European Junior Cup(6-nations) - haven't heard anything yet.

Does British elite orienteering have a long term aim/plan regardless of whether it gets this and that funding? What is the plan for producing top results in 2015 and beyond? What long term strategy/plan/set up is being used to give our juniors the best chance to become top level seniors?

[Jon X]

Who are the athelete reps?

I am helping the athletes co-ordinate reviewing/reappointing their reps (currently one role is vacant) and have had a number of them express interest or ask for more info - so the answer will be known very soon!