OUT OF THE BOX out of the box by NORRIE WILLIAMSON
Ready to Play Your Part ?
The challenges of COVID-19 impact across many spheres of our sport in various ways . The unfortunate thing is that many people , even in high places , seem to be thinking in silos rather than looking at the impact on the bigger more holistic picture .
Few runners really understand the mechanics of athletics and running in South Africa , and have never really had to , as long as the races were there and they were able to run . COVID-19 stole racing away , replacing it with solo training , and virtual racing , and most people simply ‘ wrote off ’ 2020 , and seem to believe everything can be switched back on come 1 January 2021 . However , it ’ s just not that simple .
While clubs are mostly administered on a voluntary basis , the need to have staff and administration of a provincial and national structure incurs costs to the majority , if not all , of 19 athletic provinces . Furthermore , while it is clubs that host most of South Africa ’ s races , the provinces are primarily funded by the 10 % of entry fee from races , as well as annual and temporary license fees , and club fees . Clubs generally aim to make a small surplus sufficient to offer members additional benefits , so in general they are not overly hurt by the race cancellations . However , it is eight months since any entry fee has been received by most provinces . This has seen a culling of staff in some provinces , and even if things return , it ’ s unlikely that the remaining 50 % of staff can adequately handle 100 % of the workload .
Nationally the major income for the sport comes from :
• TV coverage of events ... but in 2020 there have been few broadcasts .
• Licenses sold in January . However , there is a growing number of runners requesting refunds through their province .
• License sponsorship … but these businesses are correctly wondering if they have received fair coverage this year for their investment .
• Other sponsors , who similarly question the value of 2020 , and their continued investment , unless significant events or exposure is provided .
In short , the lack of events is undermining the sustainability of the sports structure , so while the majority of runners have appeared to be ‘ comfortable ’ with the lack of events , the very skeleton of the sport is being threatened , just as osteoporosis attacks bones .
Blinkered Approach
As can be seen above , its South Africa ’ s strong club structure that is the key to race organisation , and a return to racing is therefore reliant on the club enthusiasm . If the clubs are not cognisant of the
24
ISSUE 134 OCTOBER 2020 / www . modernathlete . co . za