Aug 2, 2014
AIDKA is committed to the ongoing development of our sport and supporting our member club organisations. The committee with the support of club representatives has engaged the Verve Group to undertake a strategic review of AIDKA.
Verve Group is a specialist consulting firm and has extensive experience in working with sporting clubs, their peak bodies and organisations that are highly dependent on contributions from volunteers. The main purpose of the review is to develop a clear pathway forward for AIDKA and how to make best use of the resources available to the association. The review commenced mid February this year with a strategic planning meeting attended by our committee and representatives from several clubs and has already highlighted several improvement opportunities for AIDKA. Verve Group has since then, undertaken further consultation with our member clubs, the executive as well as reviewed our financial position and overall governance model.
The report on the findings from the review is attached and will be discussed at the August council meeting in Adelaide. A further meeting will be held in Adelaide on the 9th August. If any member club would like more information about the review or would like to contribute in the development of the association, please contact AIDKA on aidka@bigpond.com
Please click on the link below to read the full Verve Group Report
AIDKA STRATEGIC REVIEW – PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
OBJECTIVES OF AIDKA
- To promote and advance the sport
- To promote fair and honourable practices and excellence in the sport
- To promote positive cooperation between members for the good of the sport
- To promote and oversee dirt kart race meetings for the benefits of members
- To protect the sport and guard the best interest of its members
- To act with other associations and like sporting bodies to our mutual welfare
DEFINITION OF A MEMBER
- “all incorporated clubs who have or well be accepted for affiliation by AIDKA”
However constitution has 2 definitions of a member”
- “member club” – means an association affiliated club
- “member” – means a member of an Association affiliated club
CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS
Promotion
Members
Governance
Safety
Rules and
Regulations
Stucture
Brand
Support
Clubs
Finance
Insurance
MEMBER REVIEW
- Promotion of the sport – average score 3.8/10
- Recognition of improvements in website, however, need to utilise website via social media and improved communication
- Clubs and sport would benefit by AIDKA employing a promotions and club support officer
- Concerns about lack of transparency with decision making and communication back to the clubs
- Promotion of juniors – kids bring families to the clubs, creates a future
- Opportunity to establish consistency in standards by providing training and coaching services
- Affordability is critical
- Concerns about consistency of stewardships by the majority of participants consulted “stewardship is confusing”
- Blue ribbon events drawing members away from club racing
PROMOTION
- Website has been a major step forward – predominately relies on members to seek out the website. Need to develop a push strategy through email marketing and social media – Have a social media policy (clubs can also adopt)
- Website to consider adopting foxsportspulse or implementing the features of foxsportspulse
- Recognise clubs are at the coal face – clubs sign up members, thus promotion should support clubs. AIDKA can
–Seeking out government funds to promote the sport
–Securing national sponsorship arrangements
–Providing marketing materials and assets to clubs, and
–Promotion in relevant magazines
NATIONAL PROMOTION STRATEGY
WHY the sport is good for:
- Juniors
- Families
- The community, and
- Participants
Need for a promotions officer
NATIONAL JUNIORS PROGRAM
- A brand for juniors (like Kanga for Cricket, Neeta for Netball, Auskick for AFL, Tackers for Sailing)
- Modified rules based on competency
- Training Program that can be only delivered by accredited coaches
- Affordability strategies – how to make “kids” Karts as cheap a possible
- Mechanism to access Karts for training (not racing)
- Competency levels for Juniors (that will allows racing)
- Promotion material for launching campaigns
- Income stream back to AIDKA
GOVERNANCE
Dependency on volunteers is too high. AIDKA needs to consider the allocation of resources for:
- Development and accountability of its planning requirements
- Execution of strategies to support members and grow the sport
NEW POSITION
Funding for a new position for AIDKA that will:
- Develop funding submissions for AIDKA and provide assistance to clubs to develop their own submission
- Support the development and implementation of the plan
- Develop the junior program – create an income stream
- Support the board with reporting
- Support the executive with developing processes to promote consistency of standards in the sport
It is important to note the investment in human capital does not in any way exempt any individual board member from its duties.
RULES AND REGULATIONS
Stewards face a range of issues including:
- Level of training provided
- Shortage of supplier stewards
- The steward is well known to many drivers, thus it is hard to be independent
AIDKA to commit resources to the development of strategy to address areas as follows:
- Use of independent stewards for certain events
- Accreditation and training programs for stewards
- Education program for drivers
- Review of penalty system and carry over points for repeat offenders
Look at a structure that separates umpiring from AIDKA
MONEY STORY – MONEY IN
Affiliation fees $13136 or 4.5% of income ($286k)
Track license fees $11591 or 4%
Senior Drivers $147916, Juniors $26,220 or 60.8%
Transponders $50,012 or 17.4%
MONEY STORY – MONEY OUT
Accounting 2%
Honoraria 8%
Communications 3% Log/Rule/Day Lic Books 0%
Licence Card 0%
Printing 5%
General Administration 7%
Equipment 0%
Travel Expenses 15%
Depreciation Expenses 2%
Insurance Expenses 50%
Strengths | Weaknesses |
Licensing and insurance offer to members of member clubsEstablished framework for racing and eventsSound financial positionClubs support and value the role of AIDKARecent enhancements in the websiteStrong presence in rural markets | Overall promotion of the sportLack of clarity about roles, expectations between AIDKA, Members and Member ClubsJunior programs are adhocHigh dependency on volunteersMember concerns about stewardshipOverall governance – decision making |
Opportunities | Threats |
To exploit the position of affordability and entry into the sportTo capitalize on the value dirt kart racing offers the community – ie health and fitness, engaging families, teaching about road safetyTo expand into other areas – ie Vic and NSWDiversity in sports participation | Too many events can impact on viability of club racing, takes drivers away from regular club racingCompetition from other sportsSport is impacting on “time poor” lifestyles – need to cater high expectations of participantsDependency on volunteersToo many classes??? |