02-08-2012, 08:44 PM
I have to be honest, I don't like the comparisons to other sports or the Olympics in particular. We can all pick and choose examples to best suit our own position but I try and avoid it.
Jamie did indeed put forward some fresh ideas but this grading barrier that keeps coming up is not a good one. Just because someone doesn't have a certain rating by a certain age doesn't mean they aren't capable of it and lets use the example of GB's Heather Stanning who won a gold medal yesterday despite only dedicating herself to rowing four years ago. (See what I did there 8) ) We could miss out on quick developers or late bloomers using the rating barrier and as such I oppose it in principle.
I do agree that any strategy for increased support should be made up of fundraising, corporate sponsorship and increased government funding. However, none of these are mutually exclusive so I don't see the point of debating what we should focus our efforts on. Lets focus on all three!
Jamie did indeed put forward some fresh ideas but this grading barrier that keeps coming up is not a good one. Just because someone doesn't have a certain rating by a certain age doesn't mean they aren't capable of it and lets use the example of GB's Heather Stanning who won a gold medal yesterday despite only dedicating herself to rowing four years ago. (See what I did there 8) ) We could miss out on quick developers or late bloomers using the rating barrier and as such I oppose it in principle.
I do agree that any strategy for increased support should be made up of fundraising, corporate sponsorship and increased government funding. However, none of these are mutually exclusive so I don't see the point of debating what we should focus our efforts on. Lets focus on all three!
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional!