BRITISH CANOEING. Slalom Committee. Twelfth. Annual Consultative Meeting 28th November 2015 Commencing at 10:00 (Registration from 09:00)

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1 BRITISH CANOEING Slalom Committee Twelfth Annual Consultative Meeting 28th November 2015 Commencing at 10:00 (Registration from 09:00) Location: British Canoe Union HQ, National Water Sports Centre Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, NG12 2LU Agenda Canoeing and Kayaking are Assumed risk contact sports may carry attendant risks. Participants should be aware of and accept these risks, and be responsible for their own action and involvement.

2 1 Welcome by the Chair 1.1 Appointment of Tellers 2 Minutes th Annual Consultative Meeting /2015 Committee Meetings 3 Reports 3.1 Chair s Report 3.2 Treasurer s Report 3.3 Reports from Co-ordinators Competition Co-Ordinator (Jacky Brookes) Event Management (Peter Curry) Marketing and Publicity (Vacant) Strategic Planning (Dave Spencer) Technical Support (Andy Grudzinski) Volunteer (Jim Croft) Athlete Representative (Martyn Setchell) British Canoeing (Craig Morris) England (Dave Royle) Northern Ireland (Matthew McKnight) Scotland (Chris Baillie) Wales (Mark Abbott) 4 Elections 4.1 Vice Chair Martyn Setchell has been proposed and seconded by the Slalom Committee. In the absence of any other nominations he will be elected unopposed. 4.2 Secretary Colin Woodgate has been proposed and seconded by the Slalom Committee. In the absence of any other nominations he will be elected unopposed 4.3 Committee Members Andy Grudzinski and Peter Curry have reached the end of their two-year terms. Both offer themselves for re-election, nominated and seconded by the slalom committee. There is a vacancy for a two-year term. Hannah Burgess stood down during the year, and Jim Croft is standing down from the committee so there are two vacant position for one year. Hazel Ridge is nominated and seconded by the slalom committee for one of these places. Nominations are sought for these places. The other elected committee members are Dave Spencer (Chair), Andy Koszary (Treasurer), Jim Croft, Jackie Brooks (elected members) Appointed by other bodies: Dave Royle (England), Chris Baillie (Scotland), Mark Abbott (Wales), and Craig Morris (British Canoeing performance). Page 2 of 8

3 4.4 Other Officials (normally elected en bloc ) TUTTI Maintenance Andy Hounslow Ranking Officer Nick Penfold Entry Cards Susan Paterson Ranking Status Officer John Woods Ranking Officers Premier Men Tracy Wells Men s Canadian Singles Carole McGranachan Division 1 Men Nick Penfold Women s Canadian Singles Mark Shaw Division 2 Men Les Saunders Canadian Doubles Stuart Meakins Division 3 Men Penny Scaife Veterans P/1 All Categories Mike Carter Division 4 Men James Hastings Veterans 2/3 All Categories Terry Griffiths K1 Women Prem & 1 Sally Atkinson Officials Compiler Amanda Woodgate K1 Women Divisions 2 & 3 Tanya Gibbons Bib Issue Premier Men Tracy Wells Men s Canadian Singles Carole McGranachan Division 1 Men Nick Penfold Women s Canadian Singles Mark Shaw Division 2 Men Les Saunders Canadian Doubles Stuart Meakins Division 3 Men Nicki Watson Veterans P/1 All Categories Mike Carter K1 Women Prem & 1 Sally Atkinson Veterans 2/3 All Categories Terry Griffiths K1 Women Divisions 2 & 3 Tanya Gibbons Team Bib Hire Dave Lomas 5 Awards 5.1 Ed Ecclestone award 6 Motions Unless specifically listed, the motions below are proposed by the committee. Wording in Italics are for explanation and do not form part of the motion. Bold Underlined text is to be added to rules; Struck through text is to be deleted. Where a motion is marked 75/25 it will be handled under article 5.9 (Page 190) and voted on immediately. If the motion receives 75% support it will be immediately adopted, if it fails to receive 25% support it is immediately lost. If the motion gains support of between 25% and 75% it will be debated 6.1 Standardisation of Terminology 75/25 There are a number of phrases used through the yearbook, to relating to the structure of the sport. Attempting to reduce confusion, and bring us in line with the ICF the following conventions will be adopted throughout the year book. Competition All events completed at a site on a weekend. Categories Kayak Men (KM), Kayak Women (KW), Canadian Men (CM), Canadian Women (CW) Event Individual K1M, K1W, C1M, C1W, C2, Mixed Category Teams Phase Run 1, Run 2, Semi-final, Final These definitions should be used throughout the rules, removing any alternate names. There are a small number of typographical errors in the yearbook; these will be cleaned up in this exercise. Page 3 of 8

4 6.2 Portable points NOTE: Three motions have been received regarding Portable Points. The intention is to have a single debate on Portable points, then vote on the motions in the order they were received. The first motion will be voted on. If the first motion succeeds then Portable Points will not be introduced, and there will be no vote on the second motion. If the second motion is put, and succeeds then there will be no further voting. If both the first a second motions fail, then the third motion will be put to confirm the rules under which portable points will be introduced. There may be a short additional debate at this point Do Not Introduce Portable Points - Proposed and seconded by Proteus Canoe Club Preamble This season has seen a number of issues with events being full in advance, and paddlers unable to get entries in their home division. This is believed to be due to the increased support being offered to young paddlers in various Talent Identification Programs. These programs allow groups of youngsters to receive intensive coaching from an early stage, and progress rapidly through the divisions. This, welcome, approach will, we believe, will result in a stronger sport. But (at least in the short term) has resulted in an inversion of the numbers paddling in each division. There is a general concern that the introduction of portable points, and the restructuring of the calendar to support this will result in a greater number of events reaching their entry limits at the top divisions, and a reduction in the number of athletes competing at lower division events, further compromising the standards at lower divisions. Regulation 5.7 empowers the Slalom Committee to reject motions that have either the same purpose as ones that have been rejected by a large majority, or negate the purpose of an item accepted by a large majority the previous year. Such motions may be accepted if in the opinion of the Slalom Committee there has been substantial change in the circumstances or new evidence is available. The motion below will negate motion 6.10 of last year s meeting. We contend that a majority of 22 for, 18 against with 13 abstentions is not a large majority, and that the oversubscription of a large number of division 1 and premier races this season is new evidence Motion That motion 6.10 from the 2014 ACM should be set aside, and that portable points should not be introduced. The ranking system should remain as it is now, with ranking points only being earned in the current division, and all divisional points calculated from a base of 1,000 points. The Ranking Calendar approved at this meeting will not become final for 1 month, to allow clubs to apply to run double division events. Where a club has applied for a particular division, they take precedence over a club wishing to add that division to an approved event. The ranking Calendar officer being empowered to resolve any clashes between events where additional divisions are requested. Page 4 of 8

5 6.2.2 Delay Portable Points - Proposed and by seconded by Halifax Canoe Club Background We feel that the decision to introduce portable points at the 2014 ACM was made with limited information about the impact that changes would have across all levels of the sport which is perhaps reflected in the fact that the vote on this motion saw many abstentions and a modest majority. We acknowledge that there is an issue with the current Paddle Up arrangements that give paddlers an all or nothing result, but feel there may be other ways to address this without the wholesale changes to be implemented through Portable Points. Within the published rule changes we feel there is a problem with carrying forward points into the higher division. We understood that a paddler would taking points earned at a paddle up event forward into their new division after promotion, but the published proposed rules will base ranking on the best five results in the year. This could mean a paddlers ranking in their new division being based solely on results gained at events in their former division. For example a Div 2 paddler could earn promotion with 2325 point gained at Div 2 events and may not gain higher points score at races in their new division. At the end of the season they would then be ranked higher than many established Div 1 paddlers who have raced all year on more challenging courses. We also feel that there hasn't been consideration of the impact of these changes on paddlers and families at the lower end of the sport. The introduction of single division events will see families with paddlers in different divisions having to choose which paddler goes to an event for their division each weekend. We appreciate that those in the lower division can choose to paddle up, but they won't be guaranteed a place to paddle up until 4 weeks before the event which makes it difficult for families and clubs to plan ahead. There will be a decision to make on whether the paddler is likely to gain more from going to their own division event or from paddling up. It will also be more expensive for paddlers and families to enter the same events next year if some have to enter as paddle ups rather than in the second division at an event. So single division events may complicate decisions on events and confuse those new to the sport. Of course if the current trend of events filling up early in some divisions continues, the option to paddle up will be limited, further complicating the decisions for families and clubs about which events to attend. The proposals may also impact on Div 3/4 events which may see reduced numbers racing in Div 3. This may impact on the viability of events for organising clubs. It may also effect the level of competition at these events as better paddlers in the division choose to paddle up. Therefore we are yet to be convinced on the need for these changes, what the changes are seeking to address, and whether the proposals are the best solution. Equally we can see that there could be benefits to changing the current system. But we have yet to be convinced either way. The implementation of Portable Points will see a fundamental change to all levels of the sport and we feel it is too important to either rush into without further consideration or to dismiss completely with the potential to lose an opportunity to move the sport forward for a number of years. So we propose that the implementation of Portable Points is put on hold for a final decision at the 2016 ACM. The intervening year should be used to consult and communicate with clubs and paddlers at all levels of the sport to understand the benefits and address concerns with the proposed changes to the existing system, as well as look at fine tuning or bringing forward alternative solutions Motion The proposed changes to the slalom rules to introduce Portable Points to the ranking system for the 2016 season will be postponed to allow further consultations and discussion of the implications of these changes across all levels of the sport. This time should be used as an opportunity to: communicate the need for and benefits of the proposed changes. address concerns over the changes. consider any alternatives options to advance the sport at all levels. A final decision on the implementation of Portable Points and relevant rule changes will be brought to the 2016 ACM. Page 5 of 8

6 6.2.3 Changes to the published portable points rules Preamble The proposed rule changes for portable points have been published. Since publication, additional changes have been proposed: When a paddler is promoted, points earned in the original division are lost; any points earned in the new division (through paddle up) are all retained. Short season protection is retained for both new promotes and those granted ranking status Motion Adjust the published rule changes to reflect the retention of only paddle up points, and retain short season status as in the document submitted for the ACM. 6.3 Remove Paddle Up Proposed and seconded by Proteus Canoe Club Preamble Paddle up has been trialled for several years, with the experience showing that there are problems for those applying to paddle up, and wishing to secure reasonable accommodation for those in host divisions, where events are reported as full in advance of the closing date, even where the event is only full if paddle up entries are included for those trying to ensure that the event is correctly judged, as the pool of paddlers available to judge events is severely reduced by those paddling up. More and more paddlers are being asked to judge and compete, which is not the best preparation for high class competition Additionally there is a difference in the pressure on paddlers on the start line. Those paddling up have nothing to lose; those racing in division know this is one of the few times in the season when they can earn ranking points. The difference in pressure can affect the performance, resulting in technically poorer paddlers getting better results. Removal of the paddle up rules would still allow, unranked, good paddlers to enter an open, or officials event at a division and use that result as evidence to apply to be ranked in that division Motion Remove the ability to paddle up and achieve ranking. Remove rules B3.3 (page 67,68) Amend Rules B4.3.2, B4.3.3, B4.3.4 (page 70). In each case changing the words: on gaining xxxx points from the best five events or a combination of maximum points or achieving the paddle up standard at three events to read on gaining xxxx points from the best five events or a achieving maximum points at three events 6.4 Priority Entry Deadline Preamble At present Host division entries have priority over paddle ups up to the entry deadline. This precludes paddle up entries from making bookings for accommodation at good rates, unless they are willing to attend the event as officials if the paddle up entry is refused. In order to allow better planning for those paddling up, a priority entry deadline is proposed. Entries from host division events will have priority over paddle up entries up to this deadline. After this deadline, entries are taken on a strict date received basis. Note this will be withdrawn if motion 6.3 is adopted Motion Rule B3.3.2 Paddle Up Participation Conditions The event organiser may impose a limit on numbers, either in the published calendar or at the time of planning the start list. If such a limit is applied, priority of entry shall be as follows: a) Up to the event priority entry deadline: Host division paddlers, in order of receipt of entries, then paddlers up, in order of receipt of entries. b) After the event priority entry up to entry cut-off: both Host division and paddling up paddlers in order of receipt of entries. Note: the priority entry deadline is 29 days prior to the first day of the competition (the Friday four weeks prior to the event). Page 6 of 8

7 6.5 Entry Fees the same for all age groups Preamble The majority of paddlers in lower divisions are juniors. These athletes will have been brought to the event by accompanying adults. Many of these adults do not compete themselves, but still support the event by providing transport. In order to encourage these adults to enter, it is proposed that all entrants pay the same fee, with the fee being set at the junior entry rate. This will have an effect on the monies taken by the club to run the event. It is hoped that this will be negligible as additional entries are made. However, this is not certain, so a reduction in the administration fee is proposed to protect the viability of these events. Note that if either motion 6.2 is adopted, reference to division 2/3 events will be included, also at 40% Motion Rule UK C Junior entrants MUST state their date of birth on their entry in order to be eligible for Junior prizes. claim junior rate for individual entries. Fees quoted are per boat, and refer to all classes. In the C2 event, both competitors must be junior in order to claim the reduced rate. Late entries, when accepted by the Organiser MAY be charged extra (see Rule UK C11.3(d)). Late entry fees may vary in accordance with C below. Rule D7.10 Send the completed summary sheets, a copy of the results and the appropriate percentage of minimum entry fee to 45% of minimum entry fees, all divisions except division 4 and teams nil to the percentage is calculated on the number of starters but excluding officials. The percentage will be Premier and Division 1, 45%; Division 2, 40%, Division 3 and 4 nil. Where entry fees are set at two levels, one for juniors and one for seniors, set the senior entry fee to the junior entry fee. Then remove all references to senior or junior entry fee from the rules, referencing all as the entry fee. 7 Approval of the calendar for Events submitted before the managed calendar closing date 7.2 Events submitted after the managed calendar closing date, before ACM Papers 7.3 Approval of the 2016 calendar 8 General Discussion 8.1 Integrated Working Party The aims of the Working Party are to develop proposals to meet the following aims: To create a structure which is fit for purpose to support the vision, mission and strategic priorities of British Canoeing Achieve greater clarity and integration between staff and volunteer roles, and between regional and discipline committees, to increase efficiency and avoid duplication Reduce volunteer workload Ensure each discipline can meets the needs of current and potential paddlers (customers) and increase the numbers competing. Three areas were considered: English Council Regional Delivery Teams (RDTs) Discipline Delivery Teams (DDTs) The Slalom Committee is one of the DDTs and the report states the purpose as:.. to oversee the delivery and development of the Canoe Slalom Discipline in Great Britain and NI, linking to the British Canoeing Board through English Council and home nation committees 8.2 British Canoeing Branding A discussion led by Mark Taffler, the newly appointed Commercial Director. Emphasising the need for a common look and feel across canoeing events and activities as essential for engaging potential sponsors. Page 7 of 8

8 8.3 Entry Process and Fees (PC) Increasingly entries have been made in advance, with events being filled in advance, and many people withdrawing entries close to the event. Rule C (page 84) states that entry fees are not refundable except in specific circumstances. In order to encourage early withdrawal and reduce the work for organisers this process is to be discussed. 8.4 Race Formats (RL) 8.5 British Canoeing Safety Management (PC) Please be aware that club votes will only be issued to the registered club representative on the most recent registration form. If a club wishes anyone else to exercise their vote, whether a club member or not, a proxy form MUST be completed and registered with the secretary at least 30 minutes before the meeting. Page 8 of 8