Horseplay in the AU :: Wessex Scene Online

Horseplay in the AU

22nd October 2007
Simon Webb

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Dec 04 - Sport of the Kings comes to Riding Club
Nov 06 - Passes, precedents, future?
May 07 - Polo club are proper mint
Dec 06 - Netball a bunch of basketcases?
Oct 06 - Return to hockey glory?

More by Simon Webb

Slow boil controversy has broken out in the Athletic Union as unrest builds within the Riding Club.

For a number of years members of the Riding Club have uttered dissatisfaction about the fact that Polo and Riding are one sport, as this makes budgeting and controlling of the two clubs difficult to manage.

An understanding of the manner in which the Athletic Union allocates budget is required when discussing the issue. To be simply split in two would not actually benefit the club in the desired way. This year sees Badminton, Hockey and Lacrosse split from being a singular club to Mens and Womens (and in the case of Lacrosse, Mixed as well). However, the split at Club level does little to their budget.

While the clubs will find it easier to apply for support and funding, they will not necessarily receive additional funding. Athletic Union President, Tom Page explained to the Wessex Scene that the budget allocation is in fact done on a "Sport basis." In this case, Hockey, Lacrosse and Badminton still have the same combined budget they had before the split as they are each the same sport. They must simply debate between themselves what funds go to which club.

For their cases to be heard, both Polo and Riding must appeal to the AUC and then prove that the two clubs are in fact very different sports requiring individual treatment and funding. It would be of little interest to them to simply split into two clubs yet remain as one sport. The AU provides Ł2,000 towards coaching per sport.

If the clubs do split but remain as the same sport, they will each be automatically allocated Ł1000, regardless of their needs. Hyothetically, if Polo needed only Ł500 for coaching and Riding needed Ł1500, Polo would have to decide if they could loan the Riding club Ł500 of it’s budget. This would create problems as the two clubs are likely to want as much funding as is available. Therefore, gaining the two grand budget for each club/sport is vital.

Despite all the unrest within the Riding club’s membership, Tom Page had yet to hear of the problems when first approached by the Wessex Scene. It appears that the Riding club had made no approach to the AU, however, they the have subequently begun a resolution proposal to the AUC for the next meeting.

Rupert Wharton has a unique perspective on the situation. As Club Captain of Mens Hockey last season when the two Hockey clubs were combined, this year he is Club Captain again, but the Clubs have since separated. He feels that in terms of on pitch performance, social activity and general cohesion, the difference was non existent: "Where change was apparent was within ‘fiscal management." The two clubs are invoiced seperately which allows greater, more efficient budget management.

Wharton’s feelings on the split are echoed by Riding President, James Topping, who feels it is difficult to fairly subsidise the two sports. He suggests that considering the two clubs to be one sport "is like saying that netball and basketball are the same."

A move to break up the two clubs is welcomed by Page but he has urged them both to look closely at their ability to perform independently.

However, the Riding club has enjoyed a great deal of success in BUSA, in part due to the 100% funding provided by the AU for thier competition participation. Polo on the other hand have performed admirably in SUPA despite only recieiving 60% funding for competition participation. This prices out many members and as a result the performance suffers.

Riding have won numerous National Championships and with a successful proposal to the AUC believe they can be undisputed Riding and Polo Champions.