10 minute read
Sport
Shaking hands with the devil
SHOULDcycling, the most environmentally friendly form of transport, be sponsored by an oil giant? That is the question many cycle clubs and cyclists have been pondering ever since British Cycling announced an eight-year partnership deal with Shell UK. It does on the surface seem an ethically incompatible partnership. Shell have profited from the burning of fossil fuels and been responsible for damaging oil spills whereas British Cycling place a premium on a zero-emission form of transport!
The response from cycling organisations has been vociferous, labelling the deal as absurd. Several environmental organisations have also branded the deal by Shell as “sportswashing” i.e. using sport to improve their tarnished image.
Others have been more forthright. A statement from Friends of the Earth read: "Shell is continuing to invest billions in oil and gas projects, while using cynical PR initiatives like this partnership to attempt to greenwash its harmful activities.”
Besides the very vocal public opposition there are many who have remained silent and understand the hard-nosed pragmatism that the deal represents.
The issue has divided opinion within cycle clubs and some members have cancelled their membership with British Cycling in protest. That in turn, caused some local cycle events to be cancelled as organisers need to hold British Cycling membership.
Previous sponsorship deals have been successful, most notably the alliance with Sky that delivered eight cycling gold medals at the 2012 Olympics. During their eight-year stint as principal partner an estimated 1.7 million people were inspired to take up cycling and membership of British Cycling rocketed up from 30 to 125,000.
When Sky announced it was not to renew their sponsorship, HSBC were unveiled as the lead partner at the start of 2017. But in February 2020 HSBC decided to end its eight-year sponsorship four years early, exercising a break clause due to what it termed “a shift in UK marketing and partnership priorities”.
It also happened to follow a period of turmoil at the governing body of British Cycling. There were investigations into allegations of a culture of bullying and discrimination within the organisation and a UK anti-doping investigation into allegations of wrongdoing.
While none of those was cited as the reason for HSBC’s
CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE
decision to end its sponsorship early, it would be unsurprising if the succession of negative headlines did not play at least a part in it.
The lack of sponsorship and the impact of Covid meant British Cycling were now heading into a budgetary crisis. With fewer sponsors around, the organisation needed the money too much to say no.
In a desire to sustain the activities that had brought previous success a senior figure said, “there appeared only one route –shaking hands with the devil”.
The difficulty for British Cycling is that it does not get a large income from running the sport. Events are usually free to watch and do not make a large profit. Cycling comes nowhere near to the enormous income earned by football, rugby and tennis from huge sponsorship deals and the sale of televised rights.
Although they receive grant income making up 52% of their total revenue, they are reliant on external funding from sponsorship and self-generated income streams.
That is how British Cycling ended up in bed with Shell – a controversial deal that ultimately led to the resignation of its CEO. But that is not the only PR controversy to happen recently. They were forced into an embarrassing U-turn after initially advising that members should not cycle on the day of the Queen’s funeral.
So where does that leave British Cycling? Participation in cycling remains strong. On the competitive side GB Cycling Team are a success and will undoubtably continue to be. But all that glitters is not gold, participation in the sport and ethics are in the end much bigger than medals.
And finally, does what you do with the money matter more than where the money came from? It applies to all sports, and I think there will always be two different answers – depending on whether you play the sport or manage the sport.
JANUARYCROSSWORDSOLUTION
ACROSS: 4. Schooner 8. Paella 9. Narcotic 10. Playmate 11. Former 12. Yachting 13. Irrigate 16. Longleat 19. Ill timed 21. Staves 23. Armature 24. Cox’s Mill 25. Avidly 26. Creamery. DOWN:1. Mailbag 2. Plaything 3. Wasabi 4. Synergistically 5. Hereford 6. Odour 7. Evident 14. Geriatric 15. Perspire 17. Outdoor 18. Ferrule 20. Lamyat 22. Vista
Survey to shape the future of football ground
Badgers Hill could become home to more than just The Robins
THREE project teams have been formed to find ways to plan the future of Frome Town AFC’s ground at Badgers Hill.
The teams were set up following a public meeting in October to discuss the long-term future of the ground, amid concerns that it could close. Frome Town Council has been working alongside the club and the Football Supporters Association to establish a Community Benefit Society. This will not only provide a firm base for football at Badgers Hill into the future, but it will safeguard the ground for the people of Frome, for the club and ensure that the site is being managed and used in a way that the community values.
One of the project teams was tasked with forming a CBS; another to look at the facilities and funding and a third to investigate the opportunities for more community outreach work. These project groups will ensure that the CBS is built on solid foundations.
To make sure that the next steps reflect the views of the wider community of Frome, the team are now asking residents to complete a short survey which will help shape the future of the club and the ground.
Councillor Mel Usher said: “The ground has been saved for the people of Frome and now the real work starts to turn it into a proper community asset with all that entails.
“Are you a charity, a community group or a sports group that needs more space? If so, we really need to hear from you. Have you got a passion for football and wish to be more involved in the club? We want to know that too.
“Being a community asset doesn’t mean that football isn’t going to be front and centre, but the space does need to work for as many people as possible. The survey will help inform –right from the outset – what the town needs and what added value can be gained from the CBS model.”
Find the survey at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FromeFootballClub
Welcome to Chew Valley
THERotary Club of Chelwood Bridge has been helping three Ukrainian teenagers get into rugby.
Rotary Club member, Colin Robinson, said: “The boys had never even heard of rugby before coming to the UK, but they were persuaded by some new classmates to watch them playing with the Chew Valley Rugby Club juniors.
“They soon became interested and keen to join, but money was a problem. We at Chelwood Bridge Rotary club stepped in, paid their subscriptions and also paid for some essential kit.
“Now they are all enthusiastic members and have embedded themselves into the club. Joining has given them a wider circle of friends, a new support network and trained mentors to provide good male role models in the absence of their fathers. Also they have the camaraderie and discipline associated with team sports.”
Chelwood Bridge Rotary Club's next fundraising event, will be a Race Night, on Saturday, January 7th, in Stanton Drew Parish Hall, supporting the club’s Ukrainian Appeal.
Tickets are £10, which includes a ploughman's supper, and there will be a cash bar.
Details: Rob 07983 720405 email robmert72@gmail.comFacebook
National champion
RORY Everett of Blagdon has boxed his way to be ABA Senior Middleweight National Champion. He trains at Paddy John’s Gym in Hanham. Rory, a former pupil at Chew Valley School and local farrier, fought four hard fights across two weeks. He thanked his trainers, Andy O’Kane and Joe Hughes, his family and his friends for all their support this year.
Rory said: “It takes a lot of determination and discipline to get into that ring, but this win just goes to show how far that persistence can take you, if you put in the graft and work hard for it!”
Winscombe’s winners
WINSCOMBEWarriors continue to dominate girls’ rugby in North Somerset and beyond. Sixty girls from the four age groups at Winscombe Rugby Club travelled across to Frome to play the Walcats.
Four fantastic matches were played, with all four teams winning their games: U-18 –57-10, U-16 –60-0, U-14 –28-7, U-12 –18-5.
Head coach for Winscombe Warriors, Gareth Waterfield, said: "It was the first time ever we had all four age groups together in one place. I had a lump in my throat. They played so well; I am very proud of them all. Thank you to Walcats for their amazing hospitality."
The club says more and more girls are playing rugby especially after the success of England Roses in New Zealand. Some like Lucy Burgess have gone on to play premiership rugby for Bristol Bears.
Winscombe have won the vast majority of their games this year. Last year the older girls were South West region champions.
New captain
TIMSBURYCricket Club’s first XI will be led by probably the youngest skipper in its 150year history with the appointment of 25-yearold Jesse Bishop.
He will be replacing Jon Strand who has led the club with distinction but who felt it was now the right time to step down.
There is also a new vice-captain, Kevin Sibley, but no changes for the second and third teams with club chairman Ben Hosford continuing his dual role as second team captain with Dan Hill vice-captain and Laurie Jones remaining in charge of the third team with Neil Hulford as vice-captain.
Golf celebration
Showtime in Chew Stoke
Spring concerts
CHEWStoke Am Dram’s Christmas show saw an updated version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol combined with a Covid story line and references to Macbeth and some wellknown fairy tales!
Martin Richards wrote the script and Caroline Baines arranged the music. The village hall was packed for the show, which raised funds for the Disasters Emergency Committee and the Wallace and Gromit appeal.
YATTON Music Society is planning a series of live quality music at St Mary’s Church in the village. The programme will include brass ensemble, guitar duo, oboe, bassoon and piano trio, and the Kramer Durcan duo back by popular demand. The first concert will Jonathan Rees feature cellist Jonathan Rees accompanied by the conductor and pianist Mark Austin. Their concert is on January 21st, 7.30pm, tickets £10.
Details: www.yms.org.uk David Ford daford220@gmail.com 01934 830255
The disco kid
THEPensford School Christmas disco was a huge success, raising £315 for PTA funds, thanks to former pupil, Jack Walsh, aged 11, who goes by the name of DJ JBW, who did a three-hour set. He now goes to Chew Valley School.
Rapunzel in Hutton
HUTTON Drama Group’s annual pantomime is Rapunzel, directed by Paula Barker and Georgie Boulton.
The club says: “We all need a bit of fun in our lives in these times and what better way than losing yourself in the crazy world of pantomime.”
It will be staged in Hutton village hall from Thursday January 26th-28th, 7.30pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on the Saturday and on Sunday January 29th.
Tickets cost adult £10, children £5, family £27.
Details: www.ticketsource.co.uk/hutton-drama-club 01934 519122 or Facebook
Christmas concert
CHEDDAR Valley Singers started their Christmas performance season with an appearance at Nyland Christmas Fair. They then went on to perform at Cheddar Caves and with Winscombe Community Singers in a Mendip Christmas Medley.
If you are looking for a New Year's boost, they invite you to join them.