What The Visa Issues Could Mean For Teams.

[Humphrey Appleby]

I hate myself for this but, it's the thin end of the wedge. You start letting in rubbish speedway riders, you have to let in rubbish footballers, cricketers, netball players and before you know it, if you can let in a sportsman earning 15k a year then why not a shop assistant or call centre worker too?

 

 

For arguments sake, I think it could be argued there's plenty of other places for rubbish footballers and cricketers to ply their trade. Netball is irrelevant because it's not a professional sport as far as I'm aware.

 

By contrast, there's not really many places for speedway riders to race professionally, and I think it's easier to find local people to work in a call centre than ride a speedway bike...

[SCB]

For arguments sake, I think it could be argued there's plenty of other places for rubbish footballers and cricketers to ply their trade. Netball is irrelevant because it's not a professional sport as far as I'm aware.

 

By contrast, there's not really many places for speedway riders to race professionally, and I think it's easier to find local people to work in a call centre than ride a speedway bike...

So rather than us not letting the rubbish ply their trade here, the Aussies, Americans and other nationalities should either complain at the nations that don't have a league for them to ride in or even start up their own league before complaining we only allow there average and above riders over.

[ekimba]

^{Genuine Question, have Australia ever had leagues or are the distances too vast ?}

[Lord Skid]

No, but why bother when they can come over here and earn a nice wedge, mind you, if you can travel from UK to Poland for a Meeting, then travel doesn't really come into the equation.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Lord Skid

[thebaron]

 

_{For arguments sake, I think it could be argued there's plenty of other places for rubbish footballers and cricketers to ply their trade. Netball is irrelevant because it's not a professional sport as far as I'm aware.}

 

_{By contrast, there's not really many places for speedway riders to race professionally, and I think it's easier to find local people to work in a call centre than ride a speedway bike...}

 

_{Humphrey I could not put it better myself.}

[foamfence]

 

For arguments sake, I think it could be argued there's plenty of other places for rubbish footballers and cricketers to ply their trade. Netball is irrelevant because it's not a professional sport as far as I'm aware.

 

By contrast, there's not really many places for speedway riders to race professionally, and I think it's easier to find local people to work in a call centre than ride a speedway bike...

There are 40 and more riders hoping for MDL spots, they could replace NL riders who move up. You might notice the lower standard for a season but not after that. From the way some of the Aussies and particularly their manager talk, we OWE them a living and they are indispensable. Nobody is.

[Humphrey Appleby]

^{Genuine Question, have Australia ever had leagues or are the distances too vast ?}

There's been state leagues, in particular a Queensland League, but I don't think anything at a national level.

 

ISMS was a reasonable attempt at a truly national series (albeit individual competition) which lasted for 2 or 3 seasons some years back, but even then, nothing anyone could make a living out of.

 

The active tracks are just too far apart, and in many cases too far from major population centres, to make a national competition viable.

There are 40 and more riders hoping for MDL spots, they could replace NL riders who move up.

I don't doubt it, but that wasn't my point.

[Lioness]

 

I think you are right, I have a feeling this is part of the reason we are tightening up the visa laws for anyone outside the EU coming into this Country on a work permit, it could be something to do with Countries like Australia doing the same, and we are going along the same lines, I know with a few of my mates telling me, its not easy getting a work permit when thinking to go to Australia to work.

 

Its not the VISA laws being tightened up - as I posted on the Workington thread I came across this in a different area in 2001 and have often queried how riders were able to come to the UK in the way they did. Whats happened is that the authorities have finally clamped down on British Speedway for not complying with the regulations in the way they should have been. this is not all about having a go at speedway which is all some seem to want to see. perhaps the authorites have to share some of the blame for not noticing the breaches in speedway earlier - although Mr harkess conceded that it was brought to clubs attentions last season - but see the wider picture. Why should speedway riders be treated differently from any Australian in another occupation when it comes to getting a work visa for the UK?

[The White Knight]

 

To be honest, given the numbers involved, and the almost zero impact that speedway has on the UK economy, I think it's neither here nor there whether indifferent Aussies (and Kiwis) are riding in Britain or not. What does make me laugh though, is that on the one hand people are clamouring for a crack-down on immigration, yet seem to think that speedway should be allowed to do what it pleases.

It depends where said Immigrants come from.

[Roger MARTIN]

 

Its not the VISA laws being tightened up - as I posted on the Workington thread I came across this in a different area in 2001 and have often queried how riders were able to come to the UK in the way they did. Whats happened is that the authorities have finally clamped down on British Speedway for not complying with the regulations in the way they should have been. this is not all about having a go at speedway which is all some seem to want to see. perhaps the authorites have to share some of the blame for not noticing the breaches in speedway earlier - although Mr harkess conceded that it was brought to clubs attentions last season - but see the wider picture. Why should speedway riders be treated differently from any Australian in another occupation when it comes to getting a work visa for the UK?

 

 

Good post and I agree, why have they took so long in doing so, for me because we have let more and more riders from Australia come into the British league, we are in the mess we are now, people have been talking for years that we have to many in it, and its the main reason we see less British riders in Speedway, but now its finally been clamped down on, just a little to late I think, if it had been done a few years ago, maybe not so many British riders would have packed in.

It depends where said Immigrants come from.

 

 

Its a good job India are not into Speedway, British lads would never get a look in.

Edited February 6, 2015 by Devildodger

[thebaron]

i must say australia is 1 of the hardest place to actualy up ship and move to

but from a speedway point of view going by some of the brits who have done the winter over there it looks much easier for a brit to ride in aus than a aussie to ride in our speedway series

i must say australia is 1 of the hardest place to actualy up ship and move to

but from a speedway point of view going by some of the brits who have done the winter over there it looks much easier for a brit to ride in aus than a aussie to ride in our speedway series

Well not so hard that would prevent my niece (now in a third yr) working in what amounts to a BUPA call centre and my colleagues son bumming around farm to farm picking fruit for over a year! I agree I thought you needed profession. That cafe Jiahdi how the hell were he in Oz?

 

As for 22 Aussie riders doing 22 Brits out of work alright then list me the 22 riders man for man who have equal ability to those under threat. No restoring to Bent Handlebar out the EU-seless either. You cannot do it because they are not there not in those numbers. British Speedway needs these riders without them it devalues a struggling sport further still.

 

If the admin has been poorly supervised by the promoters then they have to take some blame. But is it so unsurmountable to put right. It affects all of the business of Speedway.For me this admin needs to be handled by a supervisory body and removed from individual promoters.

[OILYRAG]

Well not so hard that would prevent my niece (now in a third yr) working in what amounts to a BUPA call centre and my colleagues son bumming around farm to farm picking fruit for over a year! I agree I thought you needed profession. That cafe Jiahdi how the hell were he in Oz?

 

As for 22 Aussie riders doing 22 Brits out of work alright then list me the 22 riders man for man who have equal ability to those under threat. No restoring to Bent Handlebar out the EU-seless either. You cannot do it because they are not there not in those numbers. British Speedway needs these riders without them it devalues a struggling sport further still.

 

If the admin has been poorly supervised by the promoters then they have to take some blame. But is it so unsurmountable to put right. It affects all of the business of Speedway.For me this admin needs to be handled by a supervisory body and removed from individual promoters.

 

 

Andre Compton , Benji at a push , Ben Wilson , James Wright , Adam Ellis plus who I cannot bring to mind at the minute and then you could add Lee Payne , Danny Halsey , Ben Morley and the like who are prevented making the step up due to lack of team places which will halt thier progress or at best slow it up.

 

Lanham only got a place because they enforced the 7 average on Holder or he wouldnt have a job.

 

Hopefully the law is enforced to protect the careers and progress of these guys.

Edited February 6, 2015 by OILYRAG

[thebaron]

 

 

Well not so hard that would prevent my niece (now in a third yr) working in what amounts to a BUPA call centre and my colleagues son bumming around farm to farm picking fruit for over a year! I agree I thought you needed profession. That cafe Jiahdi how the hell were he in Oz?

 

As for 22 Aussie riders doing 22 Brits out of work alright then list me the 22 riders man for man who have equal ability to those under threat. No restoring to Bent Handlebar out the EU-seless either. You cannot do it because they are not there not in those numbers. British Speedway needs these riders without them it devalues a struggling sport further still.

 

If the admin has been poorly supervised by the promoters then they have to take some blame. But is it so unsurmountable to put right. It affects all of the business of Speedway.For me this admin needs to be handled by a supervisory body and removed from individual promoters.

 

 

Andre Compton , Benji at a push , Ben Wilson , James Wright , Adam Ellis plus who I cannot bring to mind at the minute and then you could add Lee Payne , Danny Halsey , Ben Morley and the like who are prevented making the step up due to lack of team places which will halt thier progress or at best slow it up.

 

Lanham only got a place because they enforced the 7 average on Holder or he wouldnt have a job.

 

Hopefully the law is enforced to protect the careers and progress of these guys.

I think you just made my point perfectly cannot see anyone on your attempt at a list man for man

 

better than those under threat. If thats it Speedways in big trouble this season. Come on Benji ? Halsey ? Wilson v Douglas! Holder! Masters yer having a laugh or never see these guys race.

Edited February 7, 2015 by the outsider

[HenryW]

Well not so hard that would prevent my niece (now in a third yr) working in what amounts to a BUPA call centre and my colleagues son bumming around farm to farm picking fruit for over a year! I agree I thought you needed profession.

Any Australian (or anyone from Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan) aged 18-30 can get a UK visa to work in a call centre or bum around farm to farm picking fruits with absolutely no problem.

The tier 5 youth mobility visa covers this type of work but doesn't cover professional sports.

 

That cafe Jiahdi how the hell were he in Oz?

He entered Australia in 1996, so not exactly relevant to current immigration laws, but he also entered as political refugee from Iran which is slightly different to seeking a work visa. As it turned out, Australia didn't do a good job of checking his eligibility for refugee status as he seems to have been a common criminal rather than a genuine political refugee.

 

 

I think you just made my point perfectly cannot see anyone on your attempt at a list man for man better than those under threat. If thats it Speedways in big trouble this season. Come on Benji ? Halsey ? Wilson v Douglas! Holder! Masters yer having a laugh or never seen these guys race.

None of those listed are man for man better than a rider under threat?

I would suggest that Andre Compton, Ben Wilson, James Wright and Adam Ellis are all as good or better than Matt Wethers and Mason Campton, the only ones that have been confirmed as having problems so far...

[Humphrey Appleby]

perhaps the authorites have to share some of the blame for not noticing the breaches in speedway earlier - although Mr harkess conceded that it was brought to clubs attentions last season - but see the wider picture.

The authorities should not share any of blame. The onus is on the employer to know the law, and if not, employ an advisor to help them. I'm sure the UK immigration authorities are also underfunded and undermanned, so can't be running around holding the hand of what is a very small employment sector.

 

It's been obvious to many of us for a number of years that regulations were probably being broken by speedway. Finally the authorities have either got tired of the breaches or simply scrutinised the sport and found it wanting.

[Lord Skid]

Good luck to the Clubs and individuals who have already paid out money to the Riders who will probably not be riding over here this year.

[Paulco]

Good luck to the Clubs and individuals who have already paid out money to the Riders who will probably not be riding over here this year.

True . Speedway is a form of entertainment for many of us , and to deny us of the Aussies is detrimental to that regardless what the immigration law says

[thebaron]

Is it me or is there an anti Aussie agend simmering here? Look Anzacs & Yanks have been the staple of British Speedway down the years just think for minute about the bigger picture. The real reason some Brits get overlooked is because promoters dont rate them as high. It has been that way down the decades; just consider all the Aussue,NZ and USA legends that you would never have graced our sport if we had been haggling over a bloody entry Visa. It really doesnt bear thinking about the state Speedway might have been in without them and will be if we dont get this sorted.

[Paulco]

Is it me or is there an anti Aussie agend simmering here? Look Anzacs & Yanks have been the staple of British Speedway down the years just think for minute about the bigger picture. The real reason some Brits get overlooked is because promoters dont rate them as high. It has been that way down the decades; just consider all the Aussue,NZ and USA legends that you would never have graced our sport if we had been haggling over a bloody entry Visa. It really doesnt bear thinking about the state Speedway might have been in without them and will be if we dont get this sorted.

Couldn't have put it better myself

[OILYRAG]

I think you just made my point perfectly cannot see anyone on your attempt at a list man for man

 

better than those under threat. If thats it Speedways in big trouble this season. Come on Benji ? Halsey ? Wilson v Douglas! Holder! Masters yer having a laugh or never see these guys race.

I would bet on Wilson and A Compton to get an heat advantage against Procter and Poole around Owlerton.8 times out of 10.

 

You also miss my point on the younger riders mentioned as I feel the non EU riders over here hold up the development of such riders.

Good luck to the Clubs and individuals who have already paid out money to the Riders who will probably not be riding over here this year.

 

No sympathy myself , Sheffield could have two riders within 30 miles of the stadium that are as good as the two Aussies in thier team ., no flights to pay for no accommodation to find etc ...

Edited February 7, 2015 by OILYRAG