WTF CSA?

[Frosty]

As a start back then there were proper structures in place that seemed to work. Riders all belonged to a club. There were only a few clubs. Not every Tom, **** and Harry with a bunch of mates that form a club. And these clubs had chairman, club captains etc. the club took responsibility for development of their riders etc.

 

Clubs had the responsibility of hosting races that were on the SACF calender. SACF provided the officials, like they do now. But he club organized the event, catering Marshall's etc.

 

... cut ...

 

Problem is also, now nobody very fewdoes anything for free. Back then administrators did it for love of the sport. Now nobody will give up a day to officiate or assist at events without compensation.

Corrected your “nobody”... there are people doing work without charging, or at least covering their costs.

 

The CSA officials at races, although inconsistent at times, barely get enough to cover their costs. They claim for use of their vehicle, plus a race fee. I do complain about their performance when justified, but I will also raise the problems with the PC. They don’t need to do it, but they do. Without race officials, the licensed groups are just fun riders. Their room for improvement is consistency and fair treatment for all riders.

 

There are clubs that are involved with organising races, but not enough. I know because I belong to a club that has organised the same race since 1984 (34 events and still going strong). Not one member gets paid a cent - conditions of being a member is that help is required on race day (and/or the days/weeks leading up to race day).

 

There are clubs that develop members of their club, and “previously disadvantaged” riders too. I know because proceeds from the race the club organizes goes to these guys, as well as other projects belonging to the rotarians (the event’s partners). There are other clubs that support beginner riders without financial support, so it’s rider development.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[gtr1]

Frosty, I agree with you. I did correct my nobody in the next post. As I said, very hard to summarize a topic like this. Could write a book. There are still a few true clubs out there. I belong to one that probably does more for developing young riders than I have ever seen. But unfortunately this represents but a minute percentage of the total cycling community.

 

The topic of this thread is a bit of a bashing of CSA. Which at times is warranted, but as you mention, they provide the officials that give up their time to officiate at events etc. but some will say we can get by without them.

 

Personally I think all cyclists need to take responsibility for the state of cycling and the administration. Quick to moan, but never want to commit to solving any problems. And always the debate between the fun rider component and the racing (licensed) component. But they both need each other.

[City Cycling Athletic Club]

Don't think so.  The Lotto banners were also on full display on the street barriers in the last final 200 m.

western cape cycling received a grant from lotto.

any club, district or province can apply for lotto funding every 2 years.

WC Cycling hosted the champs.

[Jerry Lewis]

So my information was right....No confidence vote well supported and William Newman is out .....he now joins Zuma.

[Furbz]

i believe Athletes who won at SA Champs had the privilege of buying their own Jerseys this year...

[Andrew Steer]

So my information was right....No confidence vote well supported and William Newman is out .....he now joins Zuma.

Is this the magic fix everyone was looking for? Who are the likely replacements? Will they do better, and how will they do better?

[Andrew Steer]

i believe Athletes who won at SA Champs had the privilege of buying their own Jerseys this year...

Would you have liked CSA who have zero funds, to have bought them anyway and gone further into debt?

[gtr1]

i believe Athletes who won at SA Champs had the privilege of buying their own Jerseys this year...

Same as most years :-(

[Frosty]

Is this the magic fix everyone was looking for? Who are the likely replacements? Will they do better, and how will they do better?

Like CR is not necessarily the magic fix everyone was looking for for our country, it is a step in the right direction, and he needs to be given a chance.

 

CSA just needs someone that will go in, clean up the perceived mess, ensure the mandate is communicated and ensure it's done consistently. If I (or we) don't like it, we still have the option to remain non-members. 

 

Some want disc brakes approved

Others want permanent race numbers

Others have commented on the lack of medals earned at the African Champs this week.

Whatever it is, they need to engage with their members, listen to their suggestions, do what is best for the majority.

[Napalm]

So my information was right....No confidence vote well supported and William Newman is out .....he now joins Zuma.

 

Unfortunately in the CSA's case, the frontrunners are more likely to be aligned to he Guptas, than the Cyrils of these world

[Skinnyone]

So here is a question - Frosty touched on it - what would the majority of cyclists actually want the CSA to do?

 

I am asking as I feel it is time for change and someone to actually make a meaningful effort to engage with the general cycling public as to what is needed on the ground - better comms at races? Better and meaningful spread of development? 

 

Things like approval of discs on the road I think is a trivial one as I personally don't believe they are any more of a danger than a chainring or a broken piece of carbon bike...

 

I also feel that the new president also be given "free reign" so to say to be able to weed out the rot (if any) and actually be given the time to at least try and make right by the cycling public, it would be no good if he (or she) goes in and gets road blocked by bureaucratic red tape and BS and the rot continues...if there are bad apples (like we suspect) then they must be gotten rid of.

 

If there is at least an effort to be made in terms of national selection and saying that CSA would cover at least half of the athletes costs (including kit)  then surely more athletes may make more of an effort? I also feel there are personal agendas regarding the national team selection that have seen a number of athletes give up cycling altogether because of being passed up or not given the opportunity to go to world champs or Olympics even though they have done the testing and passed all the qualification requirements.

[nickc]

So here is a question - Frosty touched on it - what would the majority of cyclists actually want the CSA to do?

 

I am asking as I feel it is time for change and someone to actually make a meaningful effort to engage with the general cycling public as to what is needed on the ground - better comms at races? Better and meaningful spread of development? 

 

Things like approval of discs on the road I think is a trivial one as I personally don't believe they are any more of a danger than a chainring or a broken piece of carbon bike...

 

I also feel that the new president also be given "free reign" so to say to be able to weed out the rot (if any) and actually be given the time to at least try and make right by the cycling public, it would be no good if he (or she) goes in and gets road blocked by bureaucratic red tape and BS and the rot continues...if there are bad apples (like we suspect) then they must be gotten rid of.

 

If there is at least an effort to be made in terms of national selection and saying that CSA would cover at least half of the athletes costs (including kit)  then surely more athletes may make more of an effort? I also feel there are personal agendas regarding the national team selection that have seen a number of athletes give up cycling altogether because of being passed up or not given the opportunity to go to world champs or Olympics even though they have done the testing and passed all the qualification requirements.

 

 

first and foremost - finances, where has the money gone, why is there little or no support for riders selected to partake in various disciplines inside and outside the country?

[Shebeen]

Like CR is not necessarily the magic fix everyone was looking for for our country, it is a step in the right direction, and he needs to be given a chance.

 

CSA just needs someone that will go in, clean up the perceived mess, ensure the mandate is communicated and ensure it's done consistently. If I (or we) don't like it, we still have the option to remain non-members. 

 

Some want disc brakes approved

Others want permanent race numbers

Others have commented on the lack of medals earned at the African Champs this week.

Whatever it is, they need to engage with their members, listen to their suggestions, do what is best for the majority.

wow, looks like this really wasn't taken seriously! we sent 3 okes, which is the same as swaziland, less than djibouti

 

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/african-championships/2018/startlist

[Skinnyone]

wow, looks like this really wasn't taken seriously! we sent 3 okes, which is the same as swaziland, less than djibouti

 

https://www.procyclingstats.com/race/african-championships/2018/startlist

Exactly! and I can almost guarantee that all of them were self funded...I know Jean Spies was 100% self funded and earned 5 titles on the track...

[Spinnekop]

So here is a question - Frosty touched on it - what would the majority of cyclists actually want the CSA to do?

 

I am asking as I feel it is time for change and someone to actually make a meaningful effort to engage with the general cycling public as to what is needed on the ground - better comms at races? Better and meaningful spread of development? 

 

Things like approval of discs on the road I think is a trivial one as I personally don't believe they are any more of a danger than a chainring or a broken piece of carbon bike...

 

I also feel that the new president also be given "free reign" so to say to be able to weed out the rot (if any) and actually be given the time to at least try and make right by the cycling public, it would be no good if he (or she) goes in and gets road blocked by bureaucratic red tape and BS and the rot continues...if there are bad apples (like we suspect) then they must be gotten rid of.

 

If there is at least an effort to be made in terms of national selection and saying that CSA would cover at least half of the athletes costs (including kit)  then surely more athletes may make more of an effort? I also feel there are personal agendas regarding the national team selection that have seen a number of athletes give up cycling altogether because of being passed up or not given the opportunity to go to world champs or Olympics even though they have done the testing and passed all the qualification requirements.

This is not rocket science.

 

Events:

• A permanent race number for every cyclist that form part of CSA.  This number can be used throughout the year.  Scanning into an event done electronically when entering shoots (as was successfully done at TransCape last week)
• This number is linked to a seeding system.  One system.
• Dividing the "racing scene" into TWO (YES TWO groups only).  Racing professional cyclist and Sportive.  Seeding being done according to ability and not age.  Officials only needed for Pros.  The Sportive guys don't need full racing licenses or any officiating over.  They are amateurs doing it for themselves....not a profession.  Stop trying to make money out of them!

Professional Sport:

• Get development going.
• Support international athletes and their missions to represent our country

Road Safety

• Promote road safety in all aspects.  Not difficult.  Get a sponsor and hand out jackets (visibility) to commuters
• Get helmets out there to people that can't afford it
• Get people on bikes 

Stupid stuff really.

But all practical 

 

My 2c.  

I am sure one can delve a lot deeper.  But start with the basics and work from there.

[Cat2forLife]

Would you have liked CSA who have zero funds, to have bought them anyway and gone further into debt?

 

 

I think you're missing the point. It's just a sad state of affairs that it has come to a point where the riders have to pay for their own jerseys.