Financial meltdown at Snowsport GB?
Hang on to your pennies, it seems according to the Times Online piece (click here to read full article) that things are coming to a head concerning the financial crisis that is affecting the British Alpine and Snowboard ski team. According to the current CEO of Snowsport GB, John Dunlop, the Federation has been operating at a loss for the last four years. With this in mind it is no surprise that matters have arisen to such an extent.With over twenty coaches in employment looking after racers of all levels, plus four administration staff, an office in Edinburgh, this all costs money and needs to be accounted for. On the flip side, Britain has a pool of talent that has never been stronger or deeper. Racers winning FIS races, Children podiuming at Children's International races and at the top level, on the World Cup, Chemmy Alcott giving the beleaguered teams' sponsors much needed exposure with her runs. It is sad that the behind the scenes activities have not been as successful as the efforts of the racers!
So what has gone wrong? It could be argued that Britain has never got to grips with the concept of professionalism in terms of the administration of sport. We like to think that we play at the top table but in effect we are fiddling around. This is something that is endemic with sport in the UK and not just skiing. The conflict between the Home Nations certainly does not help any of the parties and the fact that the governing body is not self owned but still stuck in the 1960's in terms of the parties that control the sport is unbelievable. The reticence of some bodies and individuals to give up historical ownership due to outdated and ineffectual beliefs is part of the problem.
Other nations have also struggled in the recent future, including the Italians. The difference between the British problem and the Italians is that many of the Italian athletes are World Cup winners and were able to help bring sponsorship in by winning races and that guaranteed TV coverage, this being helpful in securing new sponsors. In 2006, the Italian team were only able to support their racers on the hill by those coaches that were employed by the Army! It is not so easy for the British Team as only Chemmy Alcott is securing regular TV time to satisfy the sponsors that are supporting the British Team. While Ed Drake, Dougie Crawford, David Ryding and Pam Thorburn have taken part in World Cup races this season, it is only Alcott that has secured TV coverage. The others may have a splattering of print coverage but in this modern day, TV talks for sponsors.
The Italians managed to get themselves out of the mess they got themselves into by taking a €3 million loan at low interest from the Italian Olympic Association and are paying it back each month. This situation though will return next year as the Italian Olympic Association will be cutting the funding and this will mean a smaller Italian team and the need for coaches and other employees being paid a minimum wage and maybe using people from the Italian Military Racer Ready understands.
Britain has a loyal number of sponsors supporting the British Team, notably British Land, Colmar, Halliwells, BASI, Chill Factore, Fogg, McTaggert & Mickel and Land Rover amongst others. Many have been with the Federation for a number of years. A few years ago, Damon Hill, ex F1 World Champion and avid skier, whilst at the City of London Ski Championships in Courmayeur was astounded that British skiing was unable to raise funding for the team to compete on a level playing field. With more financial decision makers in that room than in any other skiing place that season, this would have been the perfect time to pitch to this group for sponsorship. Racer Ready was told by the Chief Executive at that time, that this was not the right time for them to be approached. With snow around them, a jovial atmosphere and several members of the British team in attendance at the time, when would have been? Snowsport GB is getting better at taking its chances but this 2010 and professionalism in both on the snow and off the snow needs to be woken up to. The athletes are doing their bit but are being held back by the amateur antics of those supposed to be helping them.
So how does this all affect the racers? FIS are aware of the situation and released this situation regarding the rumours that no Governing Body would mean no British racers at the Olympics to Racer Ready in Kitzbuehel:
“FIS has been duly advised about the financial situation facing its
member Snowsports GB. The National Olympic Committee, the BOA, is
handling the situation to ensure that the athletes go to the
Olympics and that there is a British governing body for skiing.”
Luckily for the athletes, many of the coaches are hanging around. Talking in Kitzbuehel, where he was working for BBC Sport, Graham Bell expressed his worries and fears for the future. Yet while everyone tries to dig around to get the best and up to date information, Snowsport GB released the following statement on Friday evening:
The following statement has been made by the SSGB Board: "A route has been identified that could provide a potential solution to the federation's current financial difficulties, enabling the organisation to avoid administration. This is expected to be concluded in the coming days". More information is expected to be released on Monday 25 January regarding a way forward according to Graham Bell speaking in Kitzbuehel on Sunday.
Do we hold our breath....?