UKRL: Goodbye EUOC and ShUOC

[madmike]

I have had a reply from BOF:

The most practical way to solve the complication and confusion caused by this rule is to clarify that for the JK rely team eligibility, rule 1.4.3 needs to be interepreted with reference to rule 3.2.1 in the British Orienteering rules. See below:

Club Representation
3.2.1 A competitor shall only compete for the open club with which they are registered with British Orienteering, and for a ‘closed club’ (as defined in Rule 1.2.8 ) of which they are a member.


3.2.2 Rule 3.2.1 shall only be waived if:
(a) having ceased to compete for the first club, and having obtained written approval
from that club, the competitor may then join and compete for a second club, OR
(b) the competitor joins an open club not having previously been a member of a
different open club in the current year, OR
(c) the competitor joins a closed club not having previously been a member of a
different closed club in the current year.
3.2.3 In the event of a change under Rule 3.2.2, the competitor shall inform British
Orienteering National Office in writing of their new club before competing for that club.
3.2.4 A competitor may represent an open club and a closed club in the same event provided
this is by prior arrangement with the Organiser.

This strikes me as entirely pragmatic and so EUOC and SHuOC can continue to rip up the UK Realy League (and as a bonus, I can run in a relay at JK).

[LostAgain]

Commonsense prevails.

Now just need someone to make a similar commonsense interpretation and implementation of who can compete and be crowned British Champions.

[King Penguin]

I have received confirmation that non-comp teams (e.g. 1 runner not a UK citizen) WILL be accepted as entries in the British Relays in any class. They are welcome to run in any class but are not able to be crowned British Champions.
I sought clarification because the wording of the new rule is ambiguous and could be interpreted either as above (the more reasonable, if not ideal, interpretation) or alternatively as saying that non-comp teams could only be entered in the ad-HOC class.

[LostAgain]

I have received confirmation that non-comp teams (e.g. 1 runner not a UK citizen) WILL be accepted as entries in the British Relays in any class. They are welcome to run in any class but are not able to be crowned British Champions.
I sought clarification because the wording of the new rule is ambiguous and could be interpreted either as above (the more reasonable, if not ideal, interpretation) or alternatively as saying that non-comp teams could only be entered in the ad-HOC class.

Does this mean that any team with a None-UK Citizen will be considered as running Non-comp? and therefore will be listed in the results as NC unless they run Ad-Hoc.

If this is correct, then our fears are confirmed, we alienate our foreign residents.

[King Penguin]

Yes; hence the "we don't belong here" topic.
However, the clarification I have received regarding the British Relays is the least bad of the two possible interpretations of the rule as it is now written. That's not to say it is good, but it could be worse.....

[Big Jon]

I'm sure the UKIP, BNP & EDL will be very happy with the new rules.

[graeme]

That's not to say it is good, but it could be worse.....

Indeed. They important thing is they get to run. In a relay, everyone can see who really won. Who ends up hanging around for the prizegiving and then carting a bit of plastic stuck on some wood round the country is a secondary matter.
of course, if a toy combined harvester with plastic monster was at stake, that would be very different

[yted]

The problem is that as relay captain I have to pick a team to represent my club and try to win a championship. I've spent a lot of time over the years fighting against racism. My club constituion says I have to be fair to all members. The club equity policy says I must not discriminate on grounds of race. However, BOF says I must discriminate on grounds of race if I want my club to win.
It seems to me that my only option is to resign my post and personally I will find it difficult to run for a team this year (first time I've missed a BROC for.....?? probably 30 years). I don't think I can support a system that says a competition between clubs is only a competition between those in the club who happen to be British.
I must add we have two long term club members who live and work locally. We have hadvarious imported friends and relatives in our JK teams over the years but not for the British relays.

[LostAgain]

That's not to say it is good, but it could be worse.....

I'm not sure it can be worse. Now the decision has been delegated the the Club Relay Captain to decide whether to run NC Teams. This is hardly fair, see Yted for an example.

The rule is wrong and needs to be changed, or at least challenged and put to the membership for a vote. Until the membership has approved this change then the old "interpretation" needs to remain.

[AndyC]

The club equity policy says I must not discriminate on grounds of race. However, BOF says I must discriminate on grounds of race if I want my club to win.

I must point out that there is a difference between race and nationality. The rule is asking you to discriminate on the basis of nationality not race. People of any race, colour or creed would be welcome as long as they have the relevant passport.
(Do not take it that I agree with the rule I merely point out a misintrepretation)

[buzz]

I wander how the current system copes with new clubs.

I recall when AAOC tried to affiliate we were told we were 'just a group of friends'. The fact that we were orienteers, mappers, planners, organisers as well didn't seem to come into it!

[Scott]

A set of minimum criteria for clubs were agreed at the 2010 AGM:

1. An affiliated club shall be administered by a Committee that consists of a minimum of 3 people.
2. Each club must have at least 3 Officers, typically Chair, Secretary, Treasurer who may form the minimum number required as the club committee.
3. Each Club must have a constitution, a copy of which will also form a part of the Annual Return.
4. Each Club has responsibility for the maintenance of correct financial records. These shall be audited or examined annually, by a person that is independent of the committee and not related to a committee member. These accounts must be presented annually at a Club AGM and approved by club members.
5. Each club will make an Annual Return to the British Orienteering National Office; the Annual Return will include:
   
   1. The annual affiliation fee payable to British Orienteering
   2. The contact details of the Officers
   3. The annual membership fees for the club
   4. The club constitution or equivalent *
   5. Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting *
   * If available on the club website a link to them will suffice

The Annual Club Return shall be made to the British Orienteering National Office by 1 September.

Personally I think BOF would need a particularly good reason to refuse affiliation to any club meeting those criteria.

[Tatty]

I wonder if Middlesex OC meet these criteria

[Gross]

Interesting if you look at GBR entries for overseas holiday events & you see people running for all sorts of non existant clubs.... how's does that impact on their BOF membership etc?

[madmike]

I wonder if Middlesex OC meet these criteria

Tatty,
if 50% of their members are on the Committee they will be fine