I just want to be clear that I'm not dismissing what you're saying, but I will address what you've said and am happy to discuss further:
One of these days, someone is gonna ask "are MTBA of any value at all?"
Never mind "one of these days", I suspect this is probably the most commonly asked question in relation to MTBA.
Before I get shot down, what I am not asking is "do they do anything?". I am sure they are doing things.
But - value?
A poorly run national series, with an event format that wasnt popular last year, run in venues that are inaccessible to 99% of the population of the country with entry fees and a pricing structure that are completely ridiculous.
Yes, even those of us on the committee are aware that this years series is a major problem, as it was pulled together on very late timelines. Many of you will be aware of the budget positions of the previous two years of National Series - I'm not going to try to quote exact figures off the top of my head because I don't have the documents right in front of me at this time, but the budgets/financial reports are available on the MTBA website (usually... maybe?) as required at the AGM. From those you can see that the losses in running the National Series wasn't far off the ballpark of a $150-200k figure.
Largely due to this expense an agreement was entered in to for ACE to run the series from 2013-2017, whereby they will be the commercial operator of the series. It is in their best interests to make it relevant to the wider community, as if they fail to do so they will wear the financial loss. As part of this agreement they also need to meet a number of goals and requirements defined by MTBA.
Yes, 2013 will be unlikely to be touted as a massive success. They will need this to change in 2014.
On the topic of the entry fee, I tend to disagree it's "too expensive", BUT, I certainly frequently raise this concern that others perceive it this way. I suppose what we also need to do is get detailed info from people of not just how much they think it should cost, but what they expect to receive for their entry fee. What are they getting that they feel they don't need (and perhaps we need to explain why it's seen as necessary) and what are they not getting that they want?
I wonder how unpopular the XC series has to become before they admit that the whole thing needs a face lift.
It is for this reason that the 'All Mountain Cup' format came about.
XCO is the discipline under which we get UCI points; UCI points determine national ranking, and national ranking determines olympic places; olympic results determine funding. This is obviously oversimplifying it, but do consider this in why we need to include XCO.
The other formats are the response to rider demand for different styles of racing.
Local communities and clubs are left to run State series races, with no obvious connection to anything national - certainly no coordination across states, or into the nationals.
This is not necessarily true. It's a lot more complicated than saying that they're left to it.
Local trail advocacy is being performed by well meaning volunteers (e.g. Menai or Appin in NSW) with little support from MTBA. No coaching or advice for members.
You do understand that IMBA Australia is financed within the MTBA budget? A few years ago the MTBA membership fee was increased for the purpose of funding IMBA Australia. I'll also make it very clear that I'm a massive advocate of IMBA and the work Nick Bowman and his team do.
Seriously?
Oh - wait - I get insurance. For some races. Which I could buy on the day anyway.
Not just you, but the event organiser. Yes, individuals get some personal accident and income protection (have you investigated how much personally taking out income protection would cost you?)
But consider the myriad of incidents which could occur at an event which we hope don't, and there are very valid reasons this cover is necessary for not just individuals but event promoters, organisers, staff and volunteers.
Believe me when I say that there are many issues which myself and other committee members are arguing vehemently about to get fixed when it comes to small-detail issues with the National Series. I assure you we have the members interests in mind (while trying to balance those with the needs of the organisation), and concerns and requests for questions to be answered/addressed have been raised even as recently as in the last seven days - including from myself some taken from questions raised here.
Edit: Also remember that the level of cover you get from a day license
is not the same as you get from having a full membership. Think of a day license as the insurance covering the organiser, not you. I don't want to attempt to quote the insurance policy without those details in front of me, but
I think (off the top of my head, someone please correct me if I have this wrong) it's public liability and death only. It's not income protection, medical or TPD, if I remember correctly (and happy to be corrected or correct this once I'm able to go over it and double-check).
