Shock! Horror!

[Karen]

Frostbite beat me to it with the link to Graham's website
Do take time to follow the link to the o-map main page - it's well worth a read.

[andypat]

I think it is a bit unfair on the hardworking northerners in NATO and NN (and CLOK?) to take this line. I am sure they are doing their best despite what views you may have about BOF.

I agree. But how else is the average competitor supposed to show that they disapprove of BOF using this event to take such a large amount of money out of their pocket ?

Perhaps with a protest salute when you accept your medal on the podium - this one looks suitable

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1525/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1525R-164571.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1525R-164571&h=350&w=229&sz=28&tbnid=CbLUgU83I-mw7M:&tbnh=151&tbnw=99&zoom=1&usg=__qps_gBGaQooP8jySQNIS40kAaqA=&docid=79em6xVyg1veFM&sa=X&ei=PczWUvbaHsuM7AbunID4DQ&ved=0CDkQ9QEwBA

I already booked my accommodation so i am going anyhow. I have some good amtes down that way to visit and since my target is a modest top 30 placing on 45L I'm hoping a few more of you fast guys drop out...

[Tatty]

Perhaps somebody from one of the organising clubs can explain the huge entry fee.

[Jethro]

I am not particularly defending BOF (it is very easy to be against the government!) but they do have to make money some way or another. More importantly the organising clubs have to make a profit in proportion to the effort involved. This is our National Championships after all and not some cheapskate colour-coded event and as such should be high profile with as many "bells and whistles" as are appropriate - commentary, properly constructed run-ins, ample toilets etc etc etc. I seem to remember that the last time the JK was held in the NE there was a certain amount of comment that the Kyloe map had only been updated rather than re-mapped. Thrunton has presumably been virtually mapped from scratch - and that doesn't come cheap (or shouldn't be done on the cheap). The NE clubs I imagine will have had a hard job setting a budget for their event - they don't traditionally get huge entries for major events in the NE so will have had to take this into account when setting the entry fees. The negative comments on here don't help - forget about BOF, think about supporting our orienteering friends in the NE!

[AndyC]

Perhaps somebody from one of the organising clubs can explain the huge entry fee.

You've had a comment from me -who resigned from NATO late last year and Freefall who left to move back over the border a couple of years ago. To add to that the event coordinator is aware of this thread (he's emailed me).
I will correct one thing; I understand BOC is being run by NEOA not by any of the clubs (although their team structure was being used as a base last time I was involved).

[graeme]

Glad to hear the maps will be up to scratch.
I think I'll spend the money I saved on my membership on entries.

[Gnitworp]

If we're paying for a decent map for this event and, more importantly, a good base map for future revisions, I'm all in favour of an enabling fee.

[SJC]

If we're paying for a decent map for this event and, more importantly, a good base map for future revisions, I'm all in favour of an enabling fee.

I don't think anyone would disagree with paying for a good map. It is the question of just how much of the entry fee is going to BOF that is the issue.
Does anyone know exactly how many thousands of pounds BOF is expecting to take as its share of the profits from this event ?

[andypat]

No. But probably nowhere near enough to fund this http://www.britishorienteering.org.uk/index.php?pg=1&action=news&id=Mjg3Ng==&rtn=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5icml0aXNob3JpZW50ZWVyaW5nLm9yZy51ay8=
Perhaps you should head to the AGM this year and propose we dont need anyone to help develop the sport?

[bob]

Two ways to protest:
Stay at home
Run in a Tshirt with "Too bloody expensive" on the front and "£25" on the back

[denbydale]

Hypothetical question

If the event makes a loss is it totally borne by the NEOA or does BOF shoulder its share?

[Sunlit Forres]

You can't really compare those to O events. There, money gets you fun entertainment challenge. We're paying for 2 things, the sport and supporting our national federation.

The Great North Run (if you can get through the ballot) costs £50 and it costs between £25 and £40 to see a Sunderland home game. £25 for one of the country's premier orienteering events of the year really isn't that much to ask, especially given that BOF have kept membership fees down in favour of trying to generate income through events.

[graeme]

Does anyone know exactly how many thousands of pounds BOF is expecting to take as its share of the profits from this event ?

Not exactly, but for JK2012 I believe the target was £25k after which SOA could keep the rest. This led to all sorts of unpleasantness. For example, I made the sprint map for free - which led to a battle about whether I made it for Interlopers, SOA or BOF Nowadays I'm mapping (other events) "for" Race the Castles - which will mainly be converted into improving event quality/helper rewards rather than subsidising entries. It wont £25 a pop though!

n.b. since 2012 BOF has shifted its "take" from membership to events.

SF: Do they really only pay you £25-40 to support Sunderland?

[AndyC]

Hypothetical question

If the event makes a loss is it totally borne by the NEOA or does BOF shoulder its share?

As NEOA has virtually no assets (a few hundred pounds in the bank plus SI kit if I remember correctly).... a loss could cause it to cease to exist.
Graeme - the figure you quote seems familiar.....

[aiming off]

BOF mainly uses grant money to fund development at the moment.

Around 80% of the net income from major event profits, event levies and membership fees goes to fund governance, administration and finance.

That's why my heckles rise when I see a level of entry fee that risks damaging the Championships.