British Rowing Competition Framework

“ It's taken 2 boat races, a WeHoRR win, a BUCS gold, silver and 2 bronzes but finally got my first rowing point today at @Britchamps ” Twitter, 20/10/2013

Part of British Rowing 2020 Vision Strategy Why a review? Part of British Rowing 2020 Vision Strategy increasing participation and experience Ongoing analysis of competition and feedback from numerous consultations told us that the review should focus on two key areas; The structure of competition The points system Reason for presentation Mandate come from the consultation Feedback from Council & membership – BRC changes Review of Colborne report – very comprehensive – everything at once – you said too much – too directed From consultation- 2 distinct areas that need to be addressed Points- Statistical evidence that points system not effective - lack of competition at higher level Points stifling competition – no incentive to compete at higher level De Regulation – major reason for leaving sport is restricted competition structure - more accessible pathways –If we are to grow the sport – then need to innovate and reflect the changing membership – essential to assure the future of our sport where the Senior membership is the smallest group NEED to improve competitive experience -

Initial consultation…. Oct 2013 NCC meeting and WG proposals agreed Letter sent to Regional Chairs & Committee Chairs Sport Committee supported the proposals Oct-Dec 2012 An informal questionnaire was sent by the NCC extended group to regions collated and informed the review 2009-12 NCC making repeated changes to points system Aug 2013 BR membership survey includes Competition Review questions Apr 2013 Aims signed off by Sport Committee Oct 12 Nov Dec Jan 13 Feb Mar13 Apr 13 May13 Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct 2012 NCC started review – Guin Batten & Rod Murray Jan 2013 Set up working group including volunteers and BR staff NCC finalised aims of the National Competition Framework Jul 2013 NCC sent questionnaire to all committee chairs, panels and other stakeholders (e.g. juniors, coaching, BUCS etc.) Sep 2013 Working Group meet and evaluated outcomes – agreed to explore pointless system Nov 2013 Email to general members Council agreed to exploring a no points system This is part of the ongoing work and was formally started 12 months ago Prior to this key reports include Colborne Competition review 20years ago Points working group – led by Tony Evans 2009-12 The consultation staged Initial regional questionnaires told us that we had a issue and needed to do more analysis. A Working Group was set up – included volunteers & staff from across the sport e.g. James Andrews - Northern League to Shep – GBRT To establish the strategic aims and objectives for Competition. The aims and objectives were then approved by Sport Committee APRIL 2013 The a wide range of consultations took place with BR Committees, BR panels & membership survey & emails Common themes arising from committee feedback – more competition, greater flexibility, review of points. BR surveys - similar outcome Council agreed to next phase agreed

On going developments….. 2014 Jan – March Regional Workshops explore what future competitions and events might look like without a points-for-wins system June – Council agrees to introduce a categories system (Novice, Intermediate and Championship) and develop a Ranking Index and Rower Passport Pathfinder events trial new formats 2015 Development of new online system begins Pathfinder events continue to develop new ideas BR staff identified to lead project in partnership with volunteers 2016 BR conference; how the system will work and benefits for the sport Trialling of the new online System

Aim of the National Competition Framework A progressive and flexible competition framework that is sustainable, recognises achievement and gives both existing and new competitors the opportunity to row in high quality events. A progressive and flexible competition framework that is sustainable, recognises achievement and gives both existing and new competitors the opportunity to row in high quality events. By progressive we mean evolving to the changing needs of the sport, competitors and organisers. Encouraging event organisers to be creative in providing new event formats for rowers and clubs. By flexible we mean relevant to whatever our members enjoy, in their area or region, matching their skills, chosen challenge, boat type and age. By competition framework we mean an annual event structure that is overseen by British Rowing for rowers, clubs and event organisers. By sustainable we mean affordable for the rowers and clubs, financially stable for the event organisers, and well supported by competitors and spectators. By recognising achievement we mean identifying the fastest or best athletes, crews, schools and/ or clubs. In the wider context it also it means coaches, officials and volunteers. By gives both existing and new competitors we mean events that are open to new rowers and keeps existing rowers in the sport. Events that are enjoyable, exciting, meaningful and relevant to rowers lives and ambitions. By opportunities to row in high quality events we mean providing well organised, fair and safe events that have the competitors and spectators experience at the heart of the event.

National Competition Framework 06/04/2014 National Competition Framework The NCF has three levels the aim is to connect the whole sport from Olympics to the casual challenges. we are all competitive rowing is some way or other! For too long competitions have not been connected to the GB team and for the last 20 years we have tired to fit the casual competitions within a traditional highly regulated structure… people are leaving the sport because they want something that fits with their life! Rather than their life having to fit with rowing.

Principles of the system

Principles of the system 06/04/2014 Principles of the system How well a crew does in an event determines the total number of Ranking Points (RPs) received. RPs are individual, so each person in a crew (except the cox) receives the points. The RPs won are not split between the crew, Heads count as well as regattas. The size of the event entry determines the number of RPs available. Ranking Points So how do we propose to rank crews in the new system? In the current system, there are 12 levels separating a new beginner rower and an Olympian. Although there have been many tweaks to the number of points needed for the different levels and how many crews are needs for 1 or 2 points. The distribution of points is still very much in the 0-4 points area. In some regions there are less than 20 rowers with 12 points, and most of those have never regressed their points which they were entitled to do. Also the current system, points are only awarded to the winner of an event and do not take into account for crews racing experience. The new system will look at the experience of crews and not just their wining performances. This means that how well a crew does in an event will determine the number of Ranking Points (making up a ranking Index) are received. Also Heads will be brought into the system. If you ask an rowing if he is competing at a head or just training, they will always respond that they are competing. Also clubs train for heads as much as they train for regattas. Of course, you also need to take into account the number of crews that are competing. The current system tries to take this into account by giving two points for events with 9 or more crews, whereas this system will be far more refined. Another issue is multiple entries of a competitor on the same day. This is how regattas make most of their money by crews entered two more events on a day. This has other problems which I will discuss later and how this can be resolved. This system proposes that the Current Ranking Index (the CRI) only increases by the highest number of RPs of the day. Whilst the Lifetime Ranking Index (the LRI) includes all events entered. The LRI will be an indication of how good a rower or sculler is over his or her career. For example if a rower gains 5 ranking points in the coxless pairs event and 10 ranking points in the coxed fours, then his CRI will increase by 10 RPs whilst the LRI will increase by 15RPs. X

Ranking Index (RI) The current ranking of an individual is known as their Personal Ranking Index (RI). The RI is made up of the eight highest weighted personal RPs totals gained in competition over the last five years with the weight of older points reducing with time. The RI is constantly re-calculated.

06/04/2014 Weighting of older RPs When calculating the RI the older RPs won are weighted less with age: Last 12 Months (year 0) – worth 100% 12 – 24 Months (year 1) – worth 66% 24 – 36 Months (year 2) – worth 33% 36 – 48 Months (year 3) – worth 15% 48 – 60 Months (year 4) – worth 5 % 60 Months plus (year 5+) – worth 1 point One of the criticisms of the current system, is that is relatively easy to gain points, but very difficult to regress points, because if you win in a year, then you cannot regress and that you have to contact British Rowing HQ to have the point removed. The LRI would not be reduced as this is an indication of a rowers career. Finally Novice status could not be returned to, as rowers do attach a lot of sentiment to “winning their novices!” This concept gives a very fast rise and fade to the Ranking Index of a rower. This hopefully reflects the rise and fade of rowers through life and takes into account the effects of life has on a rower. A rower who takes a break in his rowing due to his career or family will be introduced back into racing at about the right level.

Multiple entries on one day If you enter more than one event in a day only the total from your highest “scoring” event will be included in the RI calculation. This will mean doubling up is not discouraged.

06/04/2014 Entry timetable A person’s RI for a race will be as off 8 days before close of entries. Allows Competitions to form races. No Winner Previous required! May allow a crew to win a Novice event at two weekends. Substitutions will not change RI of crew. Maximum increase in RI is 25%. No need to move crews. 50% rule will still apply at official close of Entries. Obviously this is a slightly more complex system that the current points system, although that does has the ability to throw major spanners into regatta planning when a crew rings up on a Monday morning, saying that they won on Saturday and so are no longer novices but are now IM3 status. Please could the regatta completely redraw the day so that they can race at the correct level. Being an regatta organiser myself, I know the problems that this causes and so we have looked at ways of helping regatta (and in future head) organisers. The first thing to help, is that a the Current Ranking Index of a crew (which is the sum of the CRIs of the individuals in the crew) is at midnight 8 days before the official close of entries. Ie If the entries are closed at 1pm on Sunday, then the CRIs as at 00:01 on the previous Saturday are used. The benefits of this are: The competition can form bands of events, which I cover later, knowing the entry. There is no need to have “Winner Previous” crews which are generally not taken up, and mean crews will know what time they need to race A side-effect is that a competitor may be able to win more than one Novice event before they are no longer allowed to race in novice events. (ie enter and win Novice on the weekend of the entries closing and again at this regatta). This is no different from the old 4 crews to qualify rule. But there is an advantage as they will be gaining CRIs in the novice category so will be racing against other crews of similar ability the following week. The substitution rule needs to be changed slightly to take into account this wish not to change crew’s band. So it is proposed that Subsitutions will not change a crews CRI from the originally declared crew, but there will be a limit in the increase in CRI in a crew of 25%. Ie a crews CRI can increase from 100 to 125 and still be allowed to race. If it changes to 126 then the crew is not able to race in a regatta. The 50% change in a crew would still apply.

Event classifications 06/04/2014 Event classifications Senior Events are no longer classified as Elite, IM1, IM2 etc. U19, U23, Lightweight remain as categories. Junior and Masters retain age groupings. J13 – J18, Masters A – J. Novice remains as a classification.

Event Classifications 06/04/2014 Event Classifications The regatta or head can group crews as they wish… Local clubs, All comers, Colleges Morning 8s, Lunchtime 4s, Afternoon 8s On current RI Time in sport (Beginners) New juniors / masters (use RI not age bands) Experienced juniors / masters

Heads

06/04/2014 Ranking Points - Heads There is a scaled table to determine the number of RPs per position. All get RPs. RPs are determined by Boat Type not Class entered: All 4+ (J16, J18, Senior, Masters) are taken together. A Fast J16 crew would get more RPs than a slow Senior crew. J15 and below entries are not included and ranked separately.

Heads Possible RP allocation Crews 1st 2nd 3rd … Last 100 145 RPs 06/04/2014 Heads Possible RP allocation Crews 1st 2nd 3rd … Last 100 145 RPs 142 RPs 140 RPs 97th - 1 RP 0 RPs (98th to 100th) 50 135 RPs 49th – 1 RP 0 RPs 25 42 RPs 39 RPs 36 RPs 24th – 1 RP 10 9 RPs 8 RPs 7 RPs 9th – 1 RP 5 4 RPs 3 RPs 2 RPs 4th – 1 RP 2 1 RP Here is the Head ranking table. The number of crews in a boat type at most heads is under 20, with a few notable exceptions, such as the 8’s heads. The number of RPs is capped at 145 and then is prorated. For example if there are 200 crews then 1st gets 145, 2nd 143, 3rd 142 etc. The most important feature of the table is that in events with small numbers of crews, only a few RPs are allocated.

Regattas

Ranking Points - Regattas 06/04/2014 Ranking Points - Regattas RPs are gained in all age groups. Juniors, Seniors and Masters. First round losers do not gain RPs. Crews which scratch / don’t finish / are disqualified get the RPs already accrued in the event. Plate events gain RPs as if they are ½ the size of the main event. Crews with Byes do not get the RPs from the missed rounds. In regattas the number of RPs are determined by the number of crews in the event as created by the regatta organisers. I will talk about events with large numbers of crews and how they can be split up. First of all RPs are gained in all age groups. There is no exceptions due to the fade built into the system. Secondly, the losers in the first round, don’t gain any RPs as there is no way of knowing how much better or worse crews are in different races, as there is no requirement in the rules of racing to go as fast as possible, just to beat other crews. To stop crews from scratching, not finishing, or getting disqualified, to avoid gaining RPs, they will gain the RPs already accrued in the event. This will become clearer in a few slides time. If a regatta offers a “Plate” event for the first round losers, then this is treated as a new event and will gain the number of RPs correct for that size of event. Finally crews with Byes into later rounds, do not get RPs for the rounds that they did not have to compete in. Again I have an example of this later.

Regattas - Juniors Juniors normally in age categories 06/04/2014 Regattas - Juniors Juniors normally in age categories Wins from J14 are reduced to <20% by J18. Regattas could offer according to RI. Events offered according to experience “New” J18 (low RI). “Experienced” J18 (higher RI). “New” J14-J16. Juniors race Senior Events according to RI Creates a more level playing field.

Regattas - Masters Masters normally in age categories 06/04/2014 Regattas - Masters Masters normally in age categories Regattas could offer according to RI. Events offered according to demand “Young” Novices. “Old” Novices. Masters race Senior Events according to RI

Multi-Lane regattas Same principle as two lane racing. More RPs as you go on. 1st round losers get no RPs. Rep losers get no RPs. Semi-Finalist losers get RPs. Based on number of crews beaten in previous round. Finalists get RPs based on number of crews in event. Time trialled events points based on number of crews in time trial. Finals B/C/D/etc. also get RPs.

Split events - Banding Events could be split by using the RI. 06/04/2014 Split events - Banding Events could be split by using the RI. An advantage is racing is determined by entry and not by categories offered. Crew split into RI bands. Depending on Entry The higher band gains the Semi-Final RPs of the next lower band.

Split events example 20 Crews Enter 4 Crews have 100-150 RPs 06/04/2014 Split events example 20 Crews Enter 4 Crews have 100-150 RPs 8 Crews have 25-75 RPs 8 Crews have 0 RPs (Novices) Regatta decides to split them into: 4 Crews Championship 8 Crews Group 2 8 Crews Novices

Split Events Novice Group 2 Championship 06/04/2014 6RP Base +1 RP

International Events Non FISA International Event FISA World Events Treated as if it’s a British Rowing event. RPs determined by position in event. FISA World Events Starts at a base RPs for calculations.

Lifetime personal ranking We will be keeping a running total of all RPs won over a person’s entire career. Older RPs will not be devalued with age for this. RPs won from multiple entries on one day will be included in the lifetime total.

Technology Support A new version of BROE Help in splitting events Calculates the number of RPs Linked to the Rower Profile Allows rowers to check on RPs gained Support critical

Ball Cup 2017 An event for smaller schools and clubs Only for when Phil C is presenting Ball Cup 2017 An event for smaller schools and clubs 2016 2017 J18 J17/J18 A Higher RP due to having experience J17 J17/J18 B Lower RPs – may have started this year, or year before, not very experienced J16 J15/J16 A J15 J15/J16 B J14 J13/J14 A J13 J13/J14 B

Small Boats Head Has a large entry but mainly from Juniors 2016 2017 All Senior Categories Seniors and Masters Banded by RP All Masters Categories Under and Over 50s Banded by RP is necessary Novice Senior Novice Under and Over 50s Novice Junior Novice J18 to J14 J18 to J13 Banded by Age and RP

Town Regatta Has a large entry but majority in IM3 and Novice Old Style 2017 Elite Seniors & Masters Only Split into RP bands Senior All Comers IM1 IM2 IM3 Novice Novice Group 1 & Group 2 Masters A – J Under & Over 50s Masters

Any questions

Workshop

06/04/2014 In groups…….30 mins Explore what new competition might look like in 2017/18 What are the implications for events (heads and regattas)? What events could you offer? What will your target rowers want from your competitions? Think about it from Event Organising Club Entry Competitor Requirements Implications - Look at competition in terms of events, clubs, competitors Organisation -adapting to the new online system -how to use RI Events - encourage new ideas – e.g.’s from Pathfinder events Durham, Ross, Thames Ditton(?) -

06/04/2014 Moving forward… Having considered how the new Competition Framework will impact across the sport What training and support would be most helpful? What will be needed from BROE, the rules, British Rowing & NCC, club and coaches, the regions? Comms; training – across clubs, events etc…