As some of you may know, we have been developing relations with Manchester City Council with regard to the overall development of hardcourt bike polo in the region, in line with the outreach programme the steering group presented for 2012.
The first results of this are an opportunity to present bike polo demonstrations at a number of MCC-promoted cycle events, including the forthcoming Sky Ride on Sunday July 15th. In return for our attendance and activities the MCC and Sky Ride have agreed to release funding for the outright purchase of a board set (24m x 17m) to the value of over £1k.
We are obliged to fulfil a legacy for this funding by attending a minimum of eight future cycling-related events over the coming three years - the steering group believe that this commitment is both in line with our ongoing recruitment plans as well as creating the opportunity to develop positive relationships with local authorities and gaining this injection of funds.
Rob will be responsible for managing the Sunday's activities (there will be a separate topic for this soon) and there may well be a number of tasks for us all to take on to make sure MHBP is well represented on the day - it's up to the polo group to make sure we present ourselves well to both the officials and the cycling public, so please actively support MHBP!
Always happy to help where I can!
Same, any idea what they'll want us to do? or what other events they have coming up?
also on board whenever i can.
Suppose I could do something, I'm not getting employed any time soon.
One main thing we will need is people to be there and play. I'm going to start another thread with a list of players so this one stays clear for other things that are needed, get across and put your names down.
Sadly I have to report that MHBP attendance at this event will no longer be required and therefore that the funding legacy for the 24 x 17 metre court boards will not be available to us in its original form.
In the very short timescale available to us, we had to ensure we could fund, build and manage a presentation of bike polo - we would have been obliged to seek cashflow funding outside the group to pay for materials and labour (as of yet, we have no bank account or funds). I was prepared to do this through my business on the basis that I received a written purchase order from MCC. This was not forthcoming - I'm advised due to the timescale and the complexities of adding the business to Council tender lists - therefore I could not risk 'borrowing' £1,100 without a legal basis on which to pursue payment.
The second stumbling block was insurance - we were obliged to provide Public Liability insurance for the courts and the demonstration activity - again, if I had been able to receive a PO from the MCC, I would have been able to cover the materials and workmanship of the courts through my business liability insurance, although we still would have had to seek cover for the activity at a minimum cost of £325, which sat outside the funding we were to receive.
To recap, when we first met with MCC three weeks ago, we did not go with any knowledge or plans to join this Sky Ride. In that sense we have lost nothing other than the opportunity to broadcast bike polo to their audience of cyclists. Again, we knew nothing about the funding or the legacy commitment that may have required commitment to - however, it feels like a negative to 'lose' this opportunity to have a set of tournament boards for future use.
The issue of 'accepting' Sky funding was raised and discussed - the current steering group view remains that it is better to actively promote and convert new players to bike polo and then debate such issues within the enlarged group, rather than to choose to ignore the opportunity in a silent and therefore impactless idealogical stand off.
Going forward, we have a new opportunity to bid for Neighbourhood Sports funding in September and the steering group fully intend to develop a 2013 plan to access this, with the support of MCC Sports Development team. More on this later in the year.
Damn you Murdock!
Nevermind, we got close and know what stumbling blocks might be encountered in the future and can be more prepared for the next time, can't of hurt to make contacts either.