A recap from Trevor Bennet on the trials forum held at Goulbourn Soldiers Club on Saturday December 12th, 2015.
21 trials enthusiasts, including the current Mens and Womens Australian Champions, attended the forum, along with the co-ordinator Trevor Bennett, and Motorcycling NSW’s CEO Daniel Gatt.
Agenda items created lots of discussion and the contribution of all who attended was positive and constructive.
The main agenda item was the formation of The Trial Riders Association, and after an outline by TB, letters from enthusiastic trials people who were unable to attend, and lots of discussion, it was unanimously approved.
Member Clubs & nominated representative:
• Pacific Park Trials Club – Matt Charles
• Trials Club of Canberra – Trevor Bennett
• Manly Warringah MCC – Frank Hull
• Wollongong MCC – Gary Boniface
• Lower Mountains MCC – Kevin Zarczynski
• Denman MCC – Andy Daly
• Bankstown Wiley Park MCC – Bob McGlinchy
• Motorcycling NSW – Attendee may vary depending on availability
Two Clubs not represented were included in the list.
• Coffs Harbour – no representative in attendance
• New England – will need to be re-affiliated - no representative in attendance
Two rules in the constitution must be
• Trial Riders Association members must be a financial member of another MNSW Affiliated Club.
• MNSW will never issue any Permit to the Trial Riders Association.
The Trial Riders Association is a way of allowing MNSW Affiliated Trials riders to ride legally at more events and to be covered by the appropriate Insurance when doing so.
The Trial Riders Association is not meant to usurp the MNSW Trials Committee.
Name Trial Riders Association (to be clarified with ASIC)
Cost of getting the Trial Riders Association accepted by ASIC, and then Affiliated with MNSW, will be covered by 2015 Australian Trials Championships profit currently deposited in Pacific Park Trials Club account.
Ongoing cost should only be the Annual MNSW Affiliation Fee, (and ASIC fees if there are any).
All NSW club trials will be run as interclub – so host club plus Trial Riders Association.
Can be run under a Club Steward.
Level of Officials required, and appropriate Permit Fees, for an Interclub Trial run under this system will be confirmed after Daniel Gatt makes a representation to the MNSW Board.
Calendar – Matt Charles and Gary Boniface had prepared an interim Calendar. This will be updated as other Interstate Trials events are taken into consideration.
General Suggestions: (These items are issues that the MNSW Trials Committee should be addressing – TB)
TROY series have two Levels of sections.
Chris Chellas – suggested NSW champs 1 weekend, plus a TROY series
Paul McGrath – add clubman level splits, for turns, etc to encourage how trials works.
Matt Charles – Look outside trials, how to encourage outsiders into trials, introduce trials into other disciplines, how to present face of trial to formalise development – how to drive sport forward.
Media avenues. Explore what avenues are available.
Coaching – encouraging participation – show at Minikhana, schooling – development schooling, setting event consistency – clubman sections,
Officials. You don’t get to be a Level Three Official unless you start off as a Level One. The Clerk of Course seminar held at the same venue on Sunday December 13th attracted ten participants.
Officials system – can trial have a system simplified – request to MNSW
How to encourage officials – when they act as official, drop a round system or get equal points.
Gary Boniface – Troy Vic – officially, idea to run events/officials + hosting club officials get points equal to winner.
Observing – club and Interclub
Buddy System –
Participation:
Paul Arnott – need to not only encourage young riders but also elite riderscas well – events and level of difficulty, rider training centre.
Grants for International competition created discussion.
Contact Sport and Rec – Rob Reid and David Ault, Special grants mediators.
State coaching – put a proposal together to MNSW.
Combined group of clubs should speak as one.
Trials perception of risk can be low – convince parents.
Trials experience – great incentive.
Promote through schools.
Daniel Gatt put forward these following thoughts.
Trials community, and motorcycling in general, keeps telling MNSW how hard done by they are.
Action: Do it yourselves; make things happen – if you keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you get the same results you always got.
Promotion - Urban Trials – Councils will support, include something special, free style trials., but also show lower levels of participation to show its open to anyone.
Bunnings carpark – BBQ Fund Raiser?
Take the spectacle to the people – Horsley Park – use kick start, minikhana.
Enduro vs Trial – special event
Minikhana vs dirtbike – use Minikhana as example.
MNSW – Horsley Park Complex – available for free! MNSW own a couple of bikes for giving riders the opportunity to try before you buy
Trial Riders Association – utilise this to promote use.
Eastern Creek – ASBK 2016 – join if possible. Combined club’s effort.
MNSW – about to roll out media events promotion match $ for $ up to $400.
Online motorcycle Mag, profiles/events/news. 1st edition – Jan 2016.
Accountability – Everyone must be accountable; do what you say you will – Daniel and the Trial Riders Association.
- Trevor Bennett