The White Knight Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 How is the sport being staffed by volunteers, turning it into an amateur sport? A few clubs are struggling financially, yet some expect that people should get paid for doing a particular job (presenters, gate-staff etc.)? Some tracks might well be in a position to pay all their staff. Good luck to them. I just happen to believe, getting in for free (saving something like £15), getting a free Programme/Raceday Magazine (saving, depending on the club £1-£2,50), and a free cup of tea/coffee (£2??), should be payment enough and they do it for the love of the sport. Don't forget, without all these volunteers (paid or otherwise), there would be no speedway. Not getting paid, perhaps, might mean the club continues to run. Precisely. That is what we hoped at Sunderland. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 How is the sport being staffed by volunteers, turning it into an amateur sport? A few clubs are struggling financially, yet some expect that people should get paid for doing a particular job (presenters, gate-staff etc.)? Some tracks might well be in a position to pay all their staff. Good luck to them. I just happen to believe, getting in for free (saving something like £15), getting a free Programme/Raceday Magazine (saving, depending on the club £1-£2,50), and a free cup of tea/coffee (£2??), should be payment enough and they do it for the love of the sport. Don't forget, without all these volunteers (paid or otherwise), there would be no speedway. Not getting paid, perhaps, might mean the club continues to run. So by that reckoning, if you work in a cinema for example, you should do it for the love of it. You get to see the latest films and free popcorn - why would you want paying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Leslie Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 So by that reckoning, if you work in a cinema for example, you should do it for the love of it. You get to see the latest films and free popcorn - why would you want paying? I don't think we have any cinema's these days big enough to need ushers. Can't remember the last time I was shown to a cinema seat by an usher with a torch. As far as I know there are no staff in there just stood about watching a free film these days. A closer comparison to speedway volunteers are local theatres which are often run by trust funds and staffed in various areas by volunteers, with only the professional performers on the stage getting paid. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 (edited) No definitely not. The Track Curator is a Specialist, you simply don't get them for nothing. I am saying that Rakers (who are they you may ask these days), Starting Gate Attendants, Ticket Sellers and the various Pit Marshals, Clerk of the Course etc.. ALL those sort of jobs could be done for Free if you wish to keep your Track alive. Sorry - I hadn't read this when I replied - and NO - I am NOT a Track Curator. Please see my previous Post on this Thread. Clerk of the course, odd job pit marshal enviromental marshal, machine examiner, Start marshals odd job? All the above mentioned are a very important part of any speedway club, . Rakers are a very important part of track work, turnsyle assistants fence repairers programme sellers all a valuable part of any speedway club. And no, the majority, don't get paid, they are known as , VOLUNTEERS. I do hope that helps... Edited July 12, 2014 by Starman2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobMcCaffery Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 (edited) If the presenter is "pulling people through the gate" there really is something sadly wrong. I thought people went to see the racing. It may help a small degree if you have a decent presenter, to the overall experience, but I would think people aren't going to say "the presenter was rubbish, so I won't be going there again." Just my opinion, of course. At Newcastle, we had so called professionals (two, actually, at different times), who were paid. They were both crap, so you're comment doesn't always follow. We had another professional who did it for free, who was quite good. The racing is part of the event - a vital part but the purpose of hiring a presenter is to enhance the event. If they don't add a few to the gate, just a few then you might as well have some idiot off the terraces with no clue of how to speak in public. So you hired two bad professional presenters. You've hired a few awful riders, does that mean you give up? Perhaps you should choose more carefully? It's called 'added value'. By your argument there's no pint in having presenters, but then given the state of many clueless fans they are often talking to themselves..... Edited July 12, 2014 by rmc 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OGT Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 TBH, I sort of agree with Pedaler, should speedway be considered a pro sport or should it be seen as largely amateur where only the riders get paid? If the standard on show was equivalent to Sweden, I'd bring my own rake! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 (edited) Agree that getting into the meeting, a free programme and seeing the racing from the centre green was good enough for me when I started out as a red- flagger/raker. Lakeside has possibly more trick staff than many, given that the entire track has to be put out and taken down weekly. And yep, it is all done gratis. The only thing that gave me the hump Steve was your attitude that people getting paid were doing it for the wrong reason. Maybe they are but if it's offered, then some people will take it. However, to have a pop at people doing a job, that you admittedly can't do, was out of order in my opinion. No offence meant mate - I just say it as I see it at times. Edited July 13, 2014 by The Voice Of Reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudtobeaBrummie Posted July 12, 2014 Report Share Posted July 12, 2014 I really don't understand the arguing that goes on here about such tiny things and is it really the standard why we watch our team the brummies ??? Not for me my city my team lets please all try stay positive because I think the fans have a huge part to play in birminghambrummies long term future 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*JJ Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 It's amusing that Birmingham can spend a small fortune flying a waste of space like Covatti back and forward but woebetide the track staff if they expect anything for their efforts. Why do people write this sort of rubbish? Covatti is very popular at Birmingham, unlike the rider he replaced. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pedaler Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 I just happen to believe, getting in for free (saving something like £15), getting a free Programme/Raceday Magazine (saving, depending on the club £1-£2,50), and a free cup of tea/coffee (£2??), should be payment enough and they do it for the love of the sport. Maybe we should apply this logic to other jobs too? Maybe being given a free uniform, free boots, the delight of being able to be out in the fresh air, the joy of talking to people, getting the odd cup of tea from a street vendor and getting the satisfaction of helping old ladies cross the road should be "payment" enough to join the Police Force? And they can also chase, catch and lock up criminals just for the love of law and order. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wealdstone Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Maybe we should apply this logic to other jobs too? Maybe being given a free uniform, free boots, the delight of being able to be out in the fresh air, the joy of talking to people, getting the odd cup of tea from a street vendor and getting the satisfaction of helping old ladies cross the road should be "payment" enough to join the Police Force? And they can also chase, catch and lock up criminals just for the love of law and order. A rather silly post which one would hope was tongue in cheek. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluejam Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 (edited) Well,D-Day is fast approaching on whether our club will be continuing in 2014,and we still have no answers! Edited July 13, 2014 by bluejam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevePark Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 How is the sport being staffed by volunteers, turning it into an amateur sport? A few clubs are struggling financially, yet some expect that people should get paid for doing a particular job (presenters, gate-staff etc.)? Some tracks might well be in a position to pay all their staff. Good luck to them. I just happen to believe, getting in for free (saving something like £15), getting a free Programme/Raceday Magazine (saving, depending on the club £1-£2,50), and a free cup of tea/coffee (£2??), should be payment enough and they do it for the love of the sport. Don't forget, without all these volunteers (paid or otherwise), there would be no speedway. Not getting paid, perhaps, might mean the club continues to run. Agree that getting into the meeting, a free programme and seeing the racing from the centre green was good enough for me when I started out as a red- flagger/raker. Lakeside has possibly more trick staff than many, given that the entire track has to be put out and taken down weekly. And yep, it is all done gratis. The only thing that gave me the hump Steve was your attitude that people getting paid were doing it for the wrong reason. Maybe they are but if it's offered, then some people will take it. However, to have a pop at people doing a job, that you admittedly can't do, was out of order in my opinion. No offence meant mate - I just say it as I see it at times. If you look at what I put in an earlier post, I don't have a problem, as such, with people getting paid if the paying club can afford it. But (in my opinion) speedway is dying on its backside (has been doing for a while), as is being proved by the unfortunate current plight of the Brummies (and others if rumours are true) and it is all extra outlay the clubs may not need, that's all. If I could do the 'heavy jobs' (raking or putting the sheets down and taking them back up off the greyhound track, for instance) I would. I wouldn't expect to get paid for it though. I work 9-5 5 days a week for that. Again, just my opinion. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudtobeaBrummie Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Chin up guys think it's asking to much now for this season I think if we don't race Wednesday that's it for this season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 If it does transpire that you don't run for the rest of the season, you need to get clarification as to where your fighting fund money is going or gone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Clerk of the course, odd job pit marshal enviromental marshal, machine examiner, Start marshals odd job? All the above mentioned are a very important part of any speedway club, . Rakers are a very important part of track work, turnsyle assistants fence repairers programme sellers all a valuable part of any speedway club. And no, the majority, don't get paid, they are known as , VOLUNTEERS. I do hope that helps... I thought that is what I inferred. Sorry if I upset you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starman2006 Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 I thought that is what I inferred. Sorry if I upset you. Not at all, you've not upset me, but lets put it into perspective, nearly all clubs exist on Volunteers, appart from the SCB officials, speedway always has done, but they do a very good job and clubs really do need to show them their appreciation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The White Knight Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Not at all, you've not upset me, but lets put it into perspective, nearly all clubs exist on Volunteers, appart from the SCB officials, speedway always has done, but they do a very good job and clubs really do need to show them their appreciation. I quite agree. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC! Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 If it does transpire that you don't run for the rest of the season, you need to get clarification as to where your fighting fund money is going or gone... It was mentioned a few pages back that contributions would either (a) be refunded or ( be turned over to the BEN Fun in this event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent Vega Posted July 13, 2014 Report Share Posted July 13, 2014 Fingers crossed Birmingham are saved and well done to all for the fund raising brilliant stuff. Do we know who the promoter is who may be saving the club? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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