AFA Return to Racing update
Hi all. I hope that you have all managed to get through the first part of this year, and you have managed
to keep healthy. Our thoughts are with you, if you or your family have been negatively affected
by the Covid virus, whether by health, financial or mental pressure.
We also understand that
people's health and fitness schedules have been thrown into array, as was our Footbike racing schedule,
but we are now looking to get things underway again. We have not been quiet though, the AFA committee
have made the most of the time out, to really look at the way we run the AFA's events, and how to grow
bigger than we were.
One of the biggest lessons we learnt was that the growth of the AFA
was being limited by me, as racing events were only being scheduled around my ability to travel for timing
purposes. The current travel limitations between states mean that racing around the country is still
hamstrung, unless we change things.
I know that recording your timing is important to you
individually, so that you can compare your progress, and it also helps others looking into the sport to
gauge how they might go. Your timing however does not change the results from an AFA perspective,
or for the calculation of any points system. As long as we have the finishing order of competitors,
then the AFA can still provide the results, and update our points system. All we need is for a volunteer
to track and report back everyone's finish order, and to help participants record their timings for them.
This can be done using their mobile phone for timing purposes.
Currently we have only managed
one race Day in each state, plus one state Champs and the Nationals in a calendar year, that's not really
an attractive racing schedule going forward. What we propose is for each state to organise their
own race day events. We would love to initially see at least 3 race days in each state, plus state
and national champs. This then gives us the ability to grow a lot bigger, and become more attractive for
newcomers, as well as giving you all more chances to get racing experience.
To achieve this,
we would need a couple of people in each state to step up and to work together with others to put on their
state events. The AFA will help with system information and current contact details for venue bookings,
and well as national advertising to try and attract inter-state competitors once restrictions are eased.
Each state can then start to develop a full competition season, made up of their
own local events in addition to the AFA recognised events.
Our plan now is to get the
first State race days booked for August, and your next 2 race days would be in September and May of next
year. State Champs in Oct/Nov and then Nationals in Feb/March next year. 2021 is now a World
Championships year, with the 2020 World Champs being postponed till 15-18th July 2021.
We
will also shortly be announcing some rule changes plus also changes to the points system, that will work
in line with these changes.
COVIDsafe principles
Obviously in the short term, we will need to adhere to some basic "new normal" principles:
-
Social/physical distancing requirements currently 1.5 metres
-
Spectator and Supporter
name recording for Covid tracking purposes
-
General Hygiene frequent cleaning of hands before,
and during the event.
-
We encourage you all to download and activate the COVID Safe phone
app.
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Stay at home if you are sick, and, go home if you become unwell. Also advise
us if you become unwell after a race day activity.
So, get together by phone with us,
and find out what is required. Your help will be appreciated by all.
Race Calendar.
With all this in mind, we have started to put together some dates for state racing under the new
format, however have only heard back from QLD so far, plus Vic Race 2 was booked pre Covid, and not cancelled
so we should be OK with that. I hope to have NSW and VIC dates confirmed next week.
The following dates are either confirmed or waiting confirmation, as indicated, although are still
subject to Covid cancellations if states decide to do so.
August 9th Sunday - QLD Race Day 1 confirmed - 8am till 11am 1.2km and 10km
Racing starts at 8.30am Albert Bishop Park Nundah
August 15th Saturday VIC Race day 1 tentative - 2pm till 4pm 400m and 10km Racing
starts 2.30pm Belmont Criterium circuit Geelong
August 23rd Sunday NSW race Day 1 tentative - 11am till 1.30pm 1.2km
and 10km Racing starts 11.30am Waratah Park Criterium circuit Sutherland
Sept 5th Saturday
VIC Race day 2 Confirmed - 8am
till 11am 1.2km and 10km Racing starts at 8.30am Belmont Criterium circuit Geelong
Sept 6th
Sunday QLD Race day 2 confirmed -
2pm till 4pm 400m and 10km Racing starts 2.30pm 30am Albert Bishop Park Nundah
Sept 27th
Sunday NSW race Day 2 tentative-
11am till 1.30pm 1.2km and 10km Racing starts 11.30am Waratah Park Criterium circuit Sutherland
October 10th Sunday QLD state Champs confirmed - 10am till 1pm 1.2km and 10km Racing starts at 10.30am 30am Albert Bishop Park Nundah
October 24th Saturday VIC State Champs tentative- 2pm till 4pm 400m and 10km Racing starts 2.30pm Belmont Criterium circuit Geelong
November 8th Sunday NSW State Champs tentative- 11am till 1.30pm 1.2km and 10km Racing starts 11.30am Waratah Park Criterium
circuit Sutherland
February 20th 21st 2021 - National Champs
Dates and Venue are tentative
May 8-9th 15-16th and 23-24th Race day number 3 in
each state, dates and venues are to be confirmed.
World Championship new dates
World Championships The new dates for the 2020 Footbike World Champs are the 15/18th July 2021.
They were postponed 12 months due to Covid-19. They will still be held in the town of Polva in
Estonia, about 240km south east of the capital of Tallinn. Of course this is still subject to travel restrictions
and travel advice being eased by then.
So, confirmed or tentative, lets get these dates loaded into
your calendar, and start training. Also start thinking about how you can help run these racing days.
I am available to answer any questions that may help.
Our next update will also have
some information on Riders insurance.
Bruce Cook
Australian Footbike Association Inc
ph 0407 699884
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