Minority Report

Well its now been 2 seasons in the SAAL, 2 season in which the system has continued to fail its members no matter the endless parameter changes. Inexperienced handicappers were introduced this season and have offered little difference. Some discretion has been used mostly by the one experienced handicapper however his discretion has not been used in the spirit of what most might consider discretion.

The minority group as it was put has been in constant discussion with many, many members throughout both seasons. These members are mostly fed up with the SAAL, its handicapping system and its Presidents hypocrisy. Fed up with constant changes or tweaks that apparently will continue on again next season and be assured the same issues will still be there next season regardless.

You all don't need us to continually point the issues out. Unfortunately despite initially consulting or enquiring on issues they fell on deaf ears. We had the Cornes article in which Athletes, Coaches, Committee and Officials were labelled under one banner as a "chorus of cheating coaches". Once complaints made on this article went unresponsive all dialogue and respect was lost. We representing many members were being treated the same way as the previous committee. If you don't agree with Colin and Co then you are not wanted.

Now a forum is going to be held and those so fed up will not attend, why because they know they are not wanted and they know you can tweak all you like its still going to be the same tripe. The only ones that will go will be those that for some unknown reason like the system, although I suspect many of those that do aren't all completely onboard and continue to speculate the systems worth.

The SAAL is on a downward spiral, its clear on the numbers competing, prize money dropped for the Bay Sheffield, the quality of competitors has dropped as most have gone to the VAL now. Handicaps blew out last season and generally speaking have changed little this season, its still mostly a front markers game. Financially, allegedly its struggling and will continue to next season under the current format. Among many other issues, too many to list out again but you all will know and/or will have seen.

The only option as I see it is for the SAAL to implement the VAL handicapping process and unify the VAL and SAAL handicapping. Have 2 or 3 experienced handicappers to provide a visual on race day and report with the Chief Steward to the VAL. While there are some complexities I am sure the SAAL and the VAL would be able to come to a good arrangement that better suits both SAAL members competing in SA as well as in the VAL and vice versa. The SAAL requires a courageous President and committee to acknowledge the current problems and resolve it in this way.

My belief is with a decent handicap process a good balance of suburban meets can exist and potentially grow. I also believe that more (at least another 2) meets need to be country based to provide a better spread of meets between SA and Victoria. Mt Gambier and Loxton provide 2 country meets as a middle ground, another 2 in places like Bordertown, Keith or Naracoorte could provide more middle ground. Middle ground could increase nominations and better competition with added VAL nominations. The VAL has a strong country meet base and the SAAL should adopt this.

The Bay Sheffield move to Glenelg Oval announcement this early is a cop out. Sounds like a money grab, and a football based decision. You know the presentation night is there for the same reason. Colley Reserve is too hard and costly and Covid is its cover story. Covid is no doubt a problem but the Bay Sheffield is 9 months away, more consultation needs to be had with the City of Holdfast Bay Council to resume this historical event at Colley Reserve.

I would like to see the SAAL provide assistance to stables or squads in the form of equipment. Some larger squads have the backing of clubs but many rely on its coach or athletes to buy essential equipment required to improve these athletes. The way I see it is the SAAL has relied on its members to support it with little or nothing from the SAAL to support them.

The SAAL should have a better medical set up, too often the call would go out to anyone with ice to assist someone with an injury. Officials are usually older and with some older athletes, having a defibrillator would be ideal along with other better first aid medical support.

Now these are called ideas Colin. Yes they have a cost but then that's what a committee is installed to do, create the ideas and find a way to affordably and responsibly implement them to improve the competition. All I have seen is a "paper" on tweaking the system, a forum in which not many will go to and a previous survey in which you ignored. Members being banned, DQ'd, told to put up or shut up and endless introductions of new committees to shift blame when it all goes wrong. You don't want to listen to us you only want to talk to those that will listen to you. You have nothing new, no ideas and show no plan on how to improve and turn around the current mess it is in. Popping the registration prices up isn't going to help either (yes that's his plan members). You need good ideas but what you actually have is nothing!

Good luck to all of those heading to Stawell particularly the 50 strong group of SA athletes.

You mentioned ONE EXPERIANCED HANDICAPPER, one or two seasons doesnt make make an experianced handicapper.The handicapper in question has made more mistakes and theres been a bigger drop out in his section than any of the other handicappers.

If the president thinks that the move to the Bay oval from Colley is a result of the covid, then he must think everyone is pretty dumb.
Everyone knows the reason why.

Z Score wrote:You mentioned ONE EXPERIANCED HANDICAPPER, one or two seasons doesnt make make an experianced handicapper.The handicapper in question has made more mistakes and theres been a bigger drop out in his section than any of the other handicappers.

Never said he was any good lol

The worst announcement the saal could make was to come out early and say NO BAY SHEFF at Colley after Christmas.
Im hearing sporting assocciations are lining up to bid for the space in 2021 and thereafter.
7 a side soccer and touch footy are two Ive heard..

Z Score wrote:The worst announcement the saal could make was to come out early and say NO BAY SHEFF at Colley after Christmas.
Im hearing sporting associations are lining up to bid for the space in 2021 and thereafter.
7 a side soccer and touch footy are two Ive heard..

If another sport is granted use of Colley Reserve during that period it raises 2 issues:
1) that sport could potentially take away future use of Colley Reserve, therefore the Bay Sheffield could lose its historical location for an unknown period, perhaps forever!
2) suggests that it is not Covid related, if another sport can proceed why cant the SAAL?

It is such a shame to see what has happened over the last 2 seasons with the SAAL. This system has torn apart the SAAL and its members within. It is a real shame for Pro Running in SA.

From my perspective (I am from VIC), given what has happened to the SAAL this season with declining entries, prize money, and more SA athletes choosing VIC meets over SA. It would be very surprising to see the system continue on next season. Many VAL athletes chose to miss the Bay Sheffield this year and many aren’t planning on running in SA again if this system continues. The SAAL system has become a bit of a laughing stock amongst VAL competitors, with many having little to no respect for it.

Based off what you are saying TS it seems like those within SA have simply given up on the SAAL due to a lack of willingness to remove the current handicapping system. You highlight the current committee are likely to keep the system. If this is in fact the case, is it possible for a group of current/former SAAL Members, Coaches, and Athletes to create a new league of their own that would work with the VAL, using it’s current handicapping systems? Might seem like a bit of a stretch I know, but I’m sure some key stakeholders in SA could group together and put a pitch towards the VAL for Season 2021/22.

I think the idea of having more country meetings towards the border is a fantastic one for both VIC and SA athletes. Add in a Stawell lift, and/or double ticks and the athletes will make the effort to travel. It is always competitive racing at gifts such as Warrnambool and Terang, where you consistently have a strong contingent of SA runners competing. Should the VAL step in and assist the SAAL in any capacity? Moving forward I think this may need to be explored.

The SAAL have some great features already in place. The live results system is quality, something the VAL could definitely use. You basically know the results and placings as soon as they happen. They have weekly updates for athletes, compared to the VAL who do monthly newsletters. They release handicaps at the exact same time each week, so everyone knows exactly when the handicaps come out, compared to the VAL who are more sporadic with their release of handicaps. There are definitely some positives with the SAAL, it's not all bad.

These are just some ideas but at the end of the day it’s just a conversation, lets hope the forum on April 11 is constructive and the SAAL committee listen and take on feedback to those who are willing to challenge the current systems in place.

Sweeney wrote:Based off what you are saying TS it seems like those within SA have simply given up on the SAAL due to a lack of willingness to remove the current handicapping system. You highlight the current committee are likely to keep the system. If this is in fact the case, is it possible for a group of current/former SAAL Members, Coaches, and Athletes to create a new league of their own that would work with the VAL, using it’s current handicapping systems? Might seem like a bit of a stretch I know, but I’m sure some key stakeholders in SA could group together and put a pitch towards the VAL for Season 2021/22.

I think the idea of having more country meetings towards the border is a fantastic one for both VIC and SA athletes. Add in a Stawell lift, and/or double ticks and the athletes will make the effort to travel. It is always competitive racing at gifts such as Warrnambool and Terang, where you consistently have a strong contingent of SA runners competing. Should the VAL step in and assist the SAAL in any capacity? Moving forward I think this may need to be explored.

These are just some ideas but at the end of the day it’s just a conversation, lets hope the forum on April 11 is constructive and the SAAL committee listen and take on feedback to those who are willing to challenge the current systems in place.

The idea of a new comp has been suggested and has some depth to it along with other ideas. A scaled down version of the SAAL with an ability to build on without going to indepth and could work with the VAL.

Maybe Colin is heading over to Stawell to discuss how the VAL can assist?

One thing that is a fantastic part of the SAAL is the live results setup etc.

No denying the live results , have been a real hit.
But unfortunately one swallow doesnt make a summer.

As a Victorian, i’d be in no hurry to go back to the Bay if it wasn’t run at Colley Reserve. The same as if Stawell was moved away from Stawell. It loses its identity.

The saal is broke because of the system they are using , simple as that, yet they say they are moving to the Bay oval for the bay sheff because of covid.
But before that we have approx 20 footy games , numerous cricket games, the fringe ,the adelaide show and numerous other events going ahead.
To make a decision in March as to where the Bay Sheff is being held on the basis of covid just doesnt make sense except for other reasons.

Many Victorians have zero confidence in both the SAAL leadership and their handicapping system. This has been clearly established both from internal conversations as well as the lack of support of VAL athletes via entries to Bay and other SAAL carnivals.

Ultimately, either the SAAL leadership needs to acknowledge the irreparable damage they have done to handicapping and commit to a more traditional system aligned with the VAL moving forward, or as numbers decline, an alternative league is started and the VAL and other states lend it legitimacy and material support by aligning with it and sharing resources.