Homeschoolers Not Welcome at Spur MTB League

[PygaSchmyga]

Thats not going to happen though.

 

Can I ask a genuine question, do you have vested interest in this series or sponsor? Im just trying to understand your passionate responses?

ZERO  INTEREST

 

I do, however, battle with pitchfork responses that call out people/companies as has been done in this case.  Its very easy to get all jumped up about some poor okes daughter.  Raw meat for the machine, but as appears to be the case here, there is a ton of misinformation and what now appears to me, at least, the possibility of a vindictive motive.

 

And at what cost?  A very successful series that supports kids cycling gets dragged through the mud, and the lead sponsor gets stupid petitions and calls for boycotting

[Patchelicious]

That sounds very healthy... can see a very productive school day for kids getting up at 3am. Also incredibly safe of course... but hey, whatever makes you right.

 Its about discussing opposing or alternate points on view. Its not about "being right".

[spiders]

My son is 11 and we home school him from 2018. Loves the xc and it all started a few years ago via Spur Series. Training in week is around quility. Wakes up at 5h15....back home at 7 and ready for home school at 7h30. Its about commitment. No afternoon. Training. No benefit here vs traditional school hours. He has won varios xco races this season here in KZN and last weeks SA Cup. Like the option of a home school Team as a single school entry.

[Andrew Steer]

Quick question..

 

How many of the schools buy their cycling kits from Anatomic[emoji6]

 

 

 

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Our humblest apologies for sponsoring at great expense and time schools cycling for the past decade.

Apologies as well for building up something beautiful that gives kids a great platform to showcase their talents at a school level.

[Gen]

Our humblest apologies for sponsoring at great expense and time schools cycling for the past decade.

Apologies as well for building up something beautiful that gives kids a great platform to showcase their talents at a school level.

Relax.. I just asked a question..I have no issues with how you do business your contribution is appreciated..your hostility however has me decided that I will not push the school now that their contract with the other supplier has ended to start ordering all our hockey/rugby/netbal and tennis kit from you though..

 

PS..joke [emoji115]..was trying to explain how easy it can be for schools to influence people involved with events..

 

 

 

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[Patchelicious]

Our humblest apologies for sponsoring at great expense and time schools cycling for the past decade.

Apologies as well for building up something beautiful that gives kids a great platform to showcase their talents at a school level.

Dude, this is not like you. Come now, chin up.

[PhilipV]

Surely Spur would only benefit from a positive outcome in all this?

And if there is no positive outcome? What if some stiff necked lawmaker with a grudge against homeschooled kids sticks to their guns?

 

A negative outcome may have a far reaching effect on ALL the other kids.

Say this boikot is the last straw that breaks the donkey's back. Some marketing manager at Spur HQ reads through this thread and decides "stuff it, we can spend the money on schools soccer, it's less hassle and the same return on investment" and withdraws the sponsorship for next year. What then?

 

Edit:

Make no mistake, I'm saddened that the system excludes your child. It isn't fair, and it needs to change. It seems the issue is in Gauteng, there must be a reason, and laws can change.

But the pitch forked masses need to realise that it needs to be done in the right way to be effective.

[PeterF]

Unfortunately this thread showcases the sense of entitlement prevailant in society today.  How can one point fingers at the Spur Schools league when it was your choice to home school your kids?  Instead of jumping onto the social media bandwagon go explain to your kids that it was a decision that you made to home school them and therefore exclude them from mass participation school initiatives like this.

[Patchelicious]

And if there is no positive outcome? What if some stiff necked lawmaker with a grudge against homeschooled kids sticks to their guns?

 

A negative outcome may have a far reaching effect on ALL the other kids.

Say this boikot is the last straw that breaks the donkey's back. Some marketing manager at Spur HQ reads through this thread and decides "stuff it, we can spend the money on schools soccer, it's less hassle and the same return on investment" and withdraws the sponsorship for next year. What then?

Or they could say "yeah" lets include Home Schoolers....

 

What if this or what if that.... 

[PhilipV]

Or they could say "yeah" lets include Home Schoolers....

 

What if this or what if that....

But the ruling is with the Gauteng ruling body. Not Spur.

Other than apply some pressure Spur can't really do much.

[Gen]

What is the minimum requirement for schools to enter league?.. how many riders do they have to have?

 

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[Patchelicious]

Actually, I don't have a kid racing in this series, so I will step out as it seems the conversation is not constructive. Parents always know better, have fun.

[GaryvdM]

Relax.. I just asked a question..I have no issues with how you do business your contribution is appreciated..your hostility however has me decided that I will not push the school now that their contract with the other supplier has ended to start ordering all our hockey/rugby/netbal and tennis kit from you though..

 

PS..joke [emoji115]..was trying to explain how easy it can be for schools to influence people involved with events..

 

 

 

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Gen, you asked a question that implied that his motives where in the wrong place. Not cool in my opinion. It's not surprising he became hostile to you.

[Gen]

Gen, you asked a question that implied that his motives where in the wrong place. Not cool in my opinion. It's not surprising he became hostile to you.

.. I did add a [emoji6]..maybe should've added a few more.

 

 

 

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[Paddaman]

Ama-zzzzing, how we argue past one another and fail to READ.

The purpose and mission of the Spur INTER-SCHOOL League is to get schools to accept TEAM MTB as a main stream sport, and thereby allocate SCHOOL resources to this sport, being a school coach, school teacher, school bus ext.

As far as the purpose and mission they have done very well.  They have effectively reduced the load on "cycling-parents" and placed it onto the school infrastructure, which is good.  Furthermore, they have removed the "stigma" from MTB as a individual/narcissistic sport and put it into a context where school reputation and honour can be achieved.  Also a major win for a fringe sport like MTB.

 

So far so good.  Everyone seems to be winning and the programme seems to be achieving its purpose.  But it is too successful.

 

Now a bunch of dis-organised mom's and dad's representing just their own Little Johnny interests are demanding to be allowed on board.  They are not bringing an established sport organisation/infrastructure, they do not have a sustainable sports programme and they cannot be encouraged to include a "representativity" element (which is standard in most schools these days).  So what are they actually bringing to the party?  Just little Johny....

 

So from a organiser's point of view Homeschoolers are simply not a viable market.  (They are already accommodated in the CSA provincial structures anyway).  For this league the target market is the school headmasters and school sport masters and not the individual cyclists.

[Hairy]

If the issue is around overall points for schools competing against each other, the simply move the points over from any home school kids to the next "schooled" kid in line....that way it will not ruin the schools rankings between each other and will allow youngsters to grow in a sport they love.