NEWSFLASH

CLUB FORMATION

22 November 2007

For some time now we have mentioned the fact that we, as the Wannabees, were seriously contemplating amalgamating with the H2C2/MrPrice Club and in so doing effectively becoming a club.

Leading into this we had an INFO meeting several months ago to state our case, debating the issue and giving reasons why we believed we should go this route. One of the major reasons being that Cycling South Africa (CSA) has new licensing requirements.

As explained, from 2008 all cyclists wanting to ride the country’s major cycling events such as the Pick n Pay Argus, 94.7, EP Herald and many others, will be required to obtain a licence from CSA. This will also apply to the funrides sometime soon in the future.

It was virtually unanimously agreed at the meeting to go ahead and formulate a club. With the floors’ blessing we proceeded to finalise the pending discussions with H2C2/MrPrice, drew up the necessary documentation that was called for by Western Province Cycling and submitted our case to them.

WE ARE NOW A REGISTERED CLUB. Officially and as of now we will be known as:

CYCLING CLUB HELDERBERG

What does all this mean? In a nutshell-

The Steering Committee portfolio will virtually remain the same as it was before with the Wannabees. We have brought Irma van Schalkwyk on board from MrPrice as Secretary, Nico van Rensburg will run the Admin Portfolio (responsible for all the licensing, registration and generally all the exciting paperwork functions) ex MrPrice and Francois Ashton who will be managing and backing up the Racing Team per se.

Furthermore the club now has two operating sections namely:

1. The Social side which remains the Wannabees and;
2. The Racing, Schools Development (Primary as well as High school) side. This in essence is the old MrPrice.

With our amalgamating with Mr Price we have managed to secure a pretty reasonable sponsorship package with/from Mr Price. This package will enable us to help develop cycling with juniors on all levels and the aim is to also try and bring as many schools in the Basin area on board.

In addition, we are in the process, of setting up a semi-pro Elite Racing Team, who will probably be able to compete country wide and hopefully qualify for the Giro, pending the availability of funds. This funding and source of income WILL NOT be drawn from the Wannabee Social side but will be totally self sufficient.

In addition to Mr Price who is the main sponsor we have also secured generous packages from amongst others Helderberg Cycle World, Fabi, Vitrio, Fine Pastries and pledges from several others.

With regards to kit: The Social sides’ kit will remain as is the Wannabee Kit. The Development Side will be wearing the MrPrice Kit .

So what’s in it for you?

1. There’s a home for all.
2. The team which has been at your beck and call all these years is still in place.
3. You have a club that offers you the following portfolios and advantages under the auspices of the Steering Committee:

• A get-together for like-minded people with different abilities and goals
• Safety Committee with Law Enforcement/Traffic Control on board.
• Social Committee – organised breakfast rides etc
• Clothing/Designing Committee
• Junior/Schools/Sub and Vets Development Committee
• MrPrice Racing Team Committee
• Double Century Committee – at least 4 teams per year entered
• MTB Committee with organised off-road rides
• Organised controlled group rides
• Quality kit at give-away prices
• Discounted prices for certain development/racing teams by HCW
• Training programmes for different events
• V02Max testing at the SSI in Stellenbosch at reduced cost
• A wealth of knowledge and experience available in house, ranging from standard fun rides, outrides, DC rides to Epic encounters/nutritional talks/bicycle maintenance workshops (ladies/schools)
• Back up vehicles on long training rides
• Licensing as required by CSA
• IT : Weekly newsletter and blog site available with links to other main cycling information centres
  

All of the above for R200 per senior member and R100 per junior (U18) per annum.

Your Steering Committee:

Club Chairman : Erill Kemp
Vice Chairman : Francois Ashton
Secretary : Irma van Schalkwyk
Treasurer : Anton de Freitas
IT : Michel de Clippel
Clothing : Pieter Schoeman
Road Control : Danie Morkel
MTB : André van der Merwe
Safety : Petie Viljoen
Admin : Nico van Rensburg
Double Century : John Arnold
Social : Currently vacant
Development : Dane Walsh/Wynand Cilliers
Racing : Francois Ashton
Media Liaison : Charles Nesbitt
Members : Volki Bauer/Ockie Kruger

You will shortly be receiving an application form for completion. The club fees (for the 12 month period 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2008) will include your CSA licence fee, which on receipt of the completed application form and payment, will be submitted to CSA on your behalf.

We trust that the above brings you all up to speed with regards to where we are at the moment. Please feel free to contact me or any of the Steering Committee Members should there by grey areas.

Regards

Erill Kemp
Chairman