VSU & LTU BASKETBALL
For those who are unaware, the Australian Government sold out Australian university students and in effect, the La Trobe University Basketball Club when it passed the Voluntary Student Unionism (VSU) Bill in December last year. What this means is that students have the option to pay their General Service Fee (GSF) at the start of the school year.
Whilst this initially sounds great to anyone who would normally have to fork out $300 plus each year, it must be understood that:
- GSF provides subsidies on student services such as cheap books, health care, free parking etc
- Sport And Recreation Association (SARA)receives a percentage of GSF in which to run the Sports Centre and member servives.
- A portion of this money is allocated to sports clubs to provide their services to LTU students.
As of second semester, the GSF is no longer payable which means the source of LTU Basketball's subsidies (about $25,000) disappears.
Surely something is being done to provide alternate funding you ask?
La Trobe University developed a VSU working party that to this point has not given any public assurances regarding future funding.
SARA has been working with this committee but has to this point made no official statement regarding future funding. As a matter of fact, the first semblance of a statement from General Manager of SARA, Hugh McKechnie was received over 6 weeks after the bill was passed.
The relevent portion reads as follows:
"Dear Club Presidents,
You will all realise by now that we failed in our attempt to stop the VSU legislation being past. From the start of second semester the GSF (if there is one) will be voluntary. Students enrolling in first semester for a full year will be charged the full year's GSF as has always been the case. The immediate effect is that we will most likely miss out on $50,000 GSF from those students who are expected this year to enrol in semester two only.
I am not in a position to advise you what services the University will fund in future. What I have seen to date is reassuring; sport and recreation is seen as a vital services and I suspect our funding may not be reduced as much as some other services. I do know that after July 1, sport and recreation will become a part of a Division of Student Services, I don't know if there will be a role for the equivalent of the SARA Board. The preliminary indications are that the University will make some funding, possibly as much as $100,000, available for clubs and will continue to give clubs free access to the University's sporting facilities. It is still too early to give you definite information, the proposed level of funding may be reduced when the overall picture of needs is finalised. We have a new Vice Chancellor, it is most important that we impress him at the SARA Orientation BBQ what a fantastic organisation we are. We need ever club in attendance with hands on demonstration, we need you to be creative. If you have equipment, have it on display. Give the new students something to do. Plan now."
The letter then went on asking for opinions on affiliation to Australian University Sport of which there has been no feedback as yet.
It must also be noted that the Vice Chancellor did not in fact attend the Open Day, however it was fantastic and the Basketball Club had over 70 people interested in joining the club.
So where does this leave LTU Basketball? For 2006, LTU Basketball will receive reduced funding in the vicinity of $20 000. This is a large amount of money, however it doesn't go close to covering the total costs of the club.
With the lack of certainty and twiddling of thumbs at the top level, it is up to our club to ensure our own survival.
How you can help your club survive:
1. Purchase a club membership (any level helps)
2. Help find a club sponsor - sponsorship packages are available on request with a range of packages from $100 to $10 000.
3. Support fundraising activities such as the Gala Basketball Night and Big V home games.
4. Offer your services as a volunteer at Big V games (bar, kitchen, video, court sweeping etc)
5. Offer your services for a committee (Social, Masters, Competitions etc)
If you can help in only a small way that is fantastic. Lot's of little helping hands, makes one big helping hand which is what is important.
Our future is in your hands and it is now up to you!
Whilst this initially sounds great to anyone who would normally have to fork out $300 plus each year, it must be understood that:
- GSF provides subsidies on student services such as cheap books, health care, free parking etc
- Sport And Recreation Association (SARA)receives a percentage of GSF in which to run the Sports Centre and member servives.
- A portion of this money is allocated to sports clubs to provide their services to LTU students.
As of second semester, the GSF is no longer payable which means the source of LTU Basketball's subsidies (about $25,000) disappears.
Surely something is being done to provide alternate funding you ask?
La Trobe University developed a VSU working party that to this point has not given any public assurances regarding future funding.
SARA has been working with this committee but has to this point made no official statement regarding future funding. As a matter of fact, the first semblance of a statement from General Manager of SARA, Hugh McKechnie was received over 6 weeks after the bill was passed.
The relevent portion reads as follows:
"Dear Club Presidents,
You will all realise by now that we failed in our attempt to stop the VSU legislation being past. From the start of second semester the GSF (if there is one) will be voluntary. Students enrolling in first semester for a full year will be charged the full year's GSF as has always been the case. The immediate effect is that we will most likely miss out on $50,000 GSF from those students who are expected this year to enrol in semester two only.
I am not in a position to advise you what services the University will fund in future. What I have seen to date is reassuring; sport and recreation is seen as a vital services and I suspect our funding may not be reduced as much as some other services. I do know that after July 1, sport and recreation will become a part of a Division of Student Services, I don't know if there will be a role for the equivalent of the SARA Board. The preliminary indications are that the University will make some funding, possibly as much as $100,000, available for clubs and will continue to give clubs free access to the University's sporting facilities. It is still too early to give you definite information, the proposed level of funding may be reduced when the overall picture of needs is finalised. We have a new Vice Chancellor, it is most important that we impress him at the SARA Orientation BBQ what a fantastic organisation we are. We need ever club in attendance with hands on demonstration, we need you to be creative. If you have equipment, have it on display. Give the new students something to do. Plan now."
The letter then went on asking for opinions on affiliation to Australian University Sport of which there has been no feedback as yet.
It must also be noted that the Vice Chancellor did not in fact attend the Open Day, however it was fantastic and the Basketball Club had over 70 people interested in joining the club.
So where does this leave LTU Basketball? For 2006, LTU Basketball will receive reduced funding in the vicinity of $20 000. This is a large amount of money, however it doesn't go close to covering the total costs of the club.
With the lack of certainty and twiddling of thumbs at the top level, it is up to our club to ensure our own survival.
How you can help your club survive:
1. Purchase a club membership (any level helps)
2. Help find a club sponsor - sponsorship packages are available on request with a range of packages from $100 to $10 000.
3. Support fundraising activities such as the Gala Basketball Night and Big V home games.
4. Offer your services as a volunteer at Big V games (bar, kitchen, video, court sweeping etc)
5. Offer your services for a committee (Social, Masters, Competitions etc)
If you can help in only a small way that is fantastic. Lot's of little helping hands, makes one big helping hand which is what is important.
Our future is in your hands and it is now up to you!
Last Modified on 02/03/2006 12:29
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportsTG Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.