Buttons Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 There should be meetings in other parts of the country as well so all fans can have a say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 I am going as I believe it is a way forward and should really be looked at as being held in October and March in future and hopefully the fans views will be taken onboard as it appears that all is fine by the promoters in the Elite League while fans have very different view's I quite agree it is a good idea listening fans who care about the sport and have opinions that need listening to. Unfortunately, we all know that the non meeting attendees, and the usual suspects, will oppose what is done and said regardless giving promotions good reason to question why bother to listen. What we need is fair mindedness with suggestions and ideas, rather that the usual negativity to try and look big and clever. Possibly attendees to this meeting, before being accepted, should have been asked "are you a usual contributor to the BSF'. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Possibly attendees to this meeting, before being accepted, should have been asked "are you a usual contributor to the BSF'. I find your attitude disappointing and I admit somewhat surprising. You are suggesting that all members are the same so presumably you don't think I should have been admitted had I expressed an interest in attending There are members on here who are never going to be satisfied but the majority I would suggest if offered reasonable explanations will accept what they are told, there are others that simply want the sport to provide good entertainment at a reasonable cost. No organisation ever gets everything right but some things the BSPA do are downright daft to say the least and perplexing if I'm being kind. Green helmet covers anyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tsunami Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 I find your attitude disappointing and I admit somewhat surprising. You are suggesting that all members are the same so presumably you don't think I should have been admitted had I expressed an interest in attending There are members on here who are never going to be satisfied but the majority I would suggest if offered reasonable explanations will accept what they are told, there are others that simply want the sport to provide good entertainment at a reasonable cost. No organisation ever gets everything right but some things the BSPA do are downright daft to say the least and perplexing if I'm being kind. Green helmet covers anyone I quite agree with your sentiments, and I only intended it to be directed at the group of people on the BSF who you could also identify as being 'never going to be satisfied'. By opposing and denegrading everything they add nothing to the BSF or the sport. As you say, fortunately there are greater numbers on here, and who actually attend speedway that have opinions and thoughts which, as you say, deserve to be listened to. Yes the BSPA do get things wrong at times, but often the ideas are introduced or considered because they may be better for the sport. A typical example is the much maligned 'green helmet' you mention. It may have been laughed off and changed later, but it's introduction, along with proposed live graphics was thought to be a major contribution to accessing the betting market in the Far East, like it does with live graphics at horse racing called "Palm ???". The green helmet was introduced, but unfortunately the technology and matching graphics did not materialised for various reasons.. Of all the things introduced, the graphics and the green helmet would have been the greatest and had major impact on this sports finances. Instead it became a laughter point. Shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted February 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) I sympathise tsunami but often changes are announced with minimal explanation as to the reasons behind the change and no background as to what other options may have been considered?! As for the meeting today (which I did not/could not attend) it was said to be all about greater transparency, which I applaud . BTW any feedback from the meeting? There are already some on facebook who reckon it wasn't that well attended?! Edited February 21, 2016 by Skidder1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Smith Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Any questions & answers to share from those able to attend?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Attendance about 50 fans. Duration over three hours. Panel: Tony Gillias, Ged Rathbone, Buster Chapman, Rob Godfrey, Martin Widman, Neil Watson Cleancut were recording so it should go up on the BSPA website (edited I'd imagine) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan_Jones Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 The @SpeedwayGB Twitter feed is promising "reaction to the forum and coverage of the event in the media over the next few days". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Triple.H. Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Stupid Suggestion Alert No doubt various riders,managers and promoters post on this forum already. Maybe the BSPA could set up a forum membership so questions could be asked and answered on a weekly basis or after management committee meetings . Stupid,rude etc questions to be deleted by the mods. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.N.T. Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 I attended the meeting with the panel being the SCB Chairman, Tony Villas, GED Rathbone Peterborough, Buster Chapman Kings Lynn and Chairman, Rob Godfrey Scunthorpe and Vice Chairman, Martin Wilding Isle of Wight and Neil Watson Coventry. First issue was on safety and the things being done like fences, engines etc. They are very keen on getting standardised equipment but this can only be done with the cooperation of other countries especially Denmark, Sweden and Poland. This in my opinion will never come through as you won't get them all to agree and without them all in riders would have to have different bikes to ride elsewhere which only increases costs. Also the plan is for these engines only to be tuned by three set tuners and I can't see all those engines being done by just three people. Plus there are so many tuners being used, they won't all want to drop them. One race night was discussed and Buster agrees it is the only way forward for the Elite League which at present isn't a real Elite League in his opinion. Questions were asked about track preparation, rain offs, the number 8 and 9 roles which some tracks won't use like Kings Lynn. This was to try and introduce new riders to the league but as it was pointed out, why can't clubs just use a rider of their choice from the Premier League like Ben Barker instead of using an untried foreigner. It was said that the SCB oversee all matters but as it was pointed out from the floor the Bspa set their own rules and having the Elite League in one room and the Premier League in another isn't helping as people are voting what is good for them rather than the sport in general. In my opinion these matters voted on at the AGM should be put to the SCB and an independent board to agree them or refuse them but as it is, it is like Turkeys voting for Christmas. Talk of Team GB was approached and they said how good the youth policy is going and so many are coming through. Rob Godfrey believes they have a great chance of winning the SWC ...... Maybe Poland, Australia and Denmark are being blocked from entering !! Overall it was a good day and not so cloak and dagger now that it is no longer a Dad's Army type board and hopefully more will attend the next one as only 41 were there at the start and I was the first one there at 12.30, just thirty minutes before the start. A few more turned up but at most there was about 50 and loads of empty seats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oleoleole Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 My version of events, for what it's worth. I reckon there were 60 in attendance and the event was ably hosted by the press and media guy from Kings Lynn (sorry don't know his name). Of the 60 I'd say about 20 were Coventry fans. It lasted about 3 hours and apart from a couple who hogged the microphone and really tried to force their point of view it flowed quite well and covered a lot of subjects. Starting with rider safety and steps to make the bikes easier to handle and reduce costs. Apparently a very productive meeting was held earlier in the day with Ollie Allen and Danny King where their point of view made the BSPA reconsider their stance. I think it's a very good move to get riders and the BSPA to talk directly on these issues and the BSPA members were certainly impressed by the riders contribution. Promotion of the sport on a national scale and media/social media also got a good airing. Personally the strangle hold that GoSpeed have over all the teams websites and social media is just crazy. How can you hope to broaden your fan base, particularly to younger people, when you are not allowed to show anybody how good the product is. There was a general agreement amongst the panel that this does need to be addressed (I'd say urgently)....we'll wait and see. The lack of a sponsor for the Elite and Premier leagues was mentioned a few times but I can't recall a really positive answer. Other topics discussed were track conditions, speed of meetings, more interaction between riders and fans, a national launch day for the wider media, racing on only one or two nights a week, putting British speedway first (looking after our own interests in relation to Sweden, Poland etc.) and planning very early for 2017. All in all I think it was a worthwhile exercise. I certainly hope that, even though it was not very well attended, the BSPA members present thought so too. Most questions were answered concisely although there was a bit of shuffling of feet and gazing at the desk when the current fad of signing 8 or 9 riders was mentioned (work in progress I think!). If they do run another one, and I hope they do, I'd recommend you give it a go if you can. After all it is an opportunity to put your point of view directly to those who run the sport. They were certainly listening and you could tell that certain points and views had the desired effect. Who knows, in their media savvy future it may be broadcast live with interaction from remote fans! Anyway thank you BSPA for putting the event on. We look forward to a brighter future. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Argos Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 So the hall holds 300 we have a official BSPA press release middle of last week confirming there is only 50 places are available at that time,the fans that attended say there were only 50 fans in attendance, I'm no mathematical genius but something just does not add up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballinger Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 The lack of a sponsor for the Elite and Premier leagues was mentioned a few times but I can't recall a really positive answer. Buster felt sure a sponsor for the EL would be in place for 2017. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arnieg Posted February 21, 2016 Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Cleancut Sports Elite League it is then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveLyric2 Posted February 22, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) So the hall holds 300 we have a official BSPA press release middle of last week confirming there is only 50 places are available at that time,the fans that attended say there were only 50 fans in attendance, I'm no mathematical genius but something just does not add up There were another 200 acceptances from BSF members who said one thing (that they were attending) and then did another (didn't go!!) :wink: Lets hope there is a fully comprehensive summary in this week's SS?! I'm sure there will be and I'm looking forward to reading it - along with (perhaps) what the next steps the BSPA will be making are. Edited February 22, 2016 by Skidder1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebaron Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) So the hall holds 300 we have a official BSPA press release middle of last week confirming there is only 50 places are available at that time,the fans that attended say there were only 50 fans in attendance, I'm no mathematical genius but something just does not add up I wouldn't worry too much about that; some people may have indicated attending and then elected not to. I think the important thing is that the BSPA were prepared to sit down with those who attended and discuss a range of topics with fans who care about Speedway. Would not have bothered me had I gone and sat down with them on my own; its that I was able to have that opportunity sets Speedway apart from practically any other sport. I mean just imagine trying to get round a table with the bosses of the FA Premier League !. Sounds like there was lots of passionate debate and I am sure those attending on both sides took at least something away from it; and as OleOleOle has done share it with others. It was not just a fans forum; as there was also constructive dialogue with rider representatives before hand. So full marks to Chairman & Vice Chairman for coming up with this; and bet next season more of us will be in attendance. Far too much cynicism and negativity; for goodness sake Speedways back in a month; New National Stadium and some good young riders coming through the training tracks; lets be positive and work with a lot of good that exits in our great sport to move forward together. It is not how many turned up; the point is that everyone of us was given the chance to apply get round the table with the Speedway Controllers (subject to 300). That's the point ! it don't matter if one person turned up it is not meant to be indicative of the number of us who care about the sport. Sure everyone on here cares about speedway otherwise you would go to a Lacross forum or something. Edited February 22, 2016 by the outsider 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) Can't believe that more Speedway fans in the area didn't attend 50????? I would've gone and did register but couldn't get the day off work (short staffed)! Hope they hold it in the hotbed of Speedway next year, East Anglia!!!! Surely more of us care here than those in the Midlands!! They gave us our voice and we were almost silent!!!!!!! Edited February 22, 2016 by Trees Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Star Lady Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'll say it again. Embrace technology have regional live link ups with the facility to ask questions and far more fans will get involved. It was a great idea, they just need to refine and build on it. Maybe some techie minded fan could contact Buster or one of the others of the panel to work out a way to do it. I would have gone to Lynn to watch a link up but 200 mile round trip just to much. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KN1 Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 Maybe arrange something akin to what the pirate cast boys do. You listen and can ask/answer via the chat box after registering. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trees Posted February 22, 2016 Report Share Posted February 22, 2016 I'll say it again. Embrace technology have regional live link ups with the facility to ask questions and far more fans will get involved. It was a great idea, they just need to refine and build on it. Maybe some techie minded fan could contact Buster or one of the others of the panel to work out a way to do it. I would have gone to Lynn to watch a link up but 200 mile round trip just to much. Only need that periscope app and a lap top for questions I guess ....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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