PDR

iTrader: (31)

Whether or not it's a sport is entirely dependent on your definition of what constitutes a sport. Even then, the use of the word "sport" has a distinct meaning when taken in a regulatory context, and those regulators are the only ones who get to decide.

A common definition of sport looks like this:

an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.

Is RC racing an activity? Yes
Do individuals or team compete? Yes
Is physical exertion involved? Yes

Let me quickly expand on that last one, since some may disagree. I've played cricket and soccer at decent (non-professional) levels and RC racing is clearly not in the same league. However, after a day's racing, I'm tired - I've exerted physical and mental energy. Ticks the box for me.

For example, chess is generally accepted as a sport internationally, and there's a bunch of similar reasons:

• It's competitive
• It involves skill
• Physical and mental effort is required
• There are rankings
• It happens around the world

Your definition of "sport" may be different, but the definition is fundamental to an effective assessment.

That's why the word "sport" has a very specific definition to Australian government agencies, and we don't get to change that.

Phil.

jay m

iTrader: (16)

Brad I think people are missing the point a sport can get government grants and funds a hobby can not ( not that I know of anyway correct me if Im wrong ) That's my understanding anyway. doesn't really matter what people think sport or hobby but if we want this hobby to grow we need to call it a sport.

nexxus

iTrader: (315)

Good points, just curious to see what the majority of ppl on rctech see RC racing as, Hobby or Sport. I don't think either is right, and don't expect people to necessarily agree with my opinion on it, so it'll be interesting to see what the polls are at after a week or so

From a financial standpoint, it'd be better for me if it was a sport as I can get government funding for my special needs son for Sports (ie he just got a grant for Soccer) as sports and the associated coordination improvement / socialising etc are proven to be beneficial to his condition. But I digress...

cplus

iTrader: (11)

yep - I DGAF if we are perceived as a sport or a hobby except for the fact a Hobby doesn't get respect under legislation/law/policy etc

being recognised as a sport opens doors.

three councils have contacted me this year along the lines of;

"we have been contacted by club XYZ who are asking for funding for something or other, we have been told you are the Gov. body, we would confirmation the club is recognised by your association and a letter of endorsement for their proposal - but firstly, can you confirm if you are a registered national sporting organisation or not?"

"No we are not sorry"

Bye. Click.



here's a real simple one for you - and if this is all we open up for the effort we have to go through i'm happy.

if a recognised sport, like darts is for example, all juniors travelling to interstate events are eligible to apply for a $500 grant towards travel costs. All applications are assessed on merit, but i'm told SFA of them are rejected!!

cplus

iTrader: (11)

to paraphrase Dan - please make sure the people answering the poll are not uniformed majority

When you say "sport" are you looking for their personal opinion of what a sport is - or - the official government definition.

my answer would most likely differ for each

"What is Defined as a Sport?

The ASC has a long-established definition which activities are defined as sports. The ASC defines sport as: 'A human activity capable of achieving a result requiring physical exertion and/or physical skill which, by its nature and organisation, is competitive and is generally accepted as being a sport'. The ASC maintain the final authority for determining if an activity meets the definition of a sport."

Human. tick.
Result. tick.
Physical exertion or Skill. tick.
Competitive. tick.

they are all facts.

Generally accepted? Depends who you ask. But our constitution says yes and we all agree that we are "racing" - and whenever you mention the concept of a race, people generally think of the activity being sporting.

No one argues that Motorsport is a "sport" and breaking it down into it's most simple terms - Motorsport - is a human using controls to make a vehicle beat other vehicles against a course, whether directly or indirectly via a clock.

I would also say we are a form of "motorsport" (but need to be careful with this one or they will suggest we go under CAMs which will be BAD)

it's just that our controls are remotely connected to the vehicle, not physically. but racing cars are becoming less and less mechanically connected as well.

If you replaced the driver in an F1 car with robotics and controlled it from completely from the pits - would it still be motorsport?

trusty

iTrader: (2)

I buy my parts from a hobby shop.
Maybe I should try some of the sports stores for better pricing ?

Radio Active

iTrader: (2)

Rockdale Sports Fishing Tackle have pretty good prices on bearings.

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

So does Plaig. Incidentally they sell bearings for fishing and bicycles too.

cplus

iTrader: (11)

Lol.

My misses buys shoes, socks and Active wear from a sports shop.

She hasn't competed in a sporting event of any kind for about 20yrs.

StevenS

Sorry champ let me put it this way A sport has State ,National and world titles on the other hand a Hobby is just a person enjoys doing something but not competing, but there is most probable 101 takes on it anyway.

cplus

iTrader: (11)

Yep. So for some RC is a hobby. For others it is a sport......

Just like Damian has said?

bd581

Many many years back my father and I pushed for a on road track to be built in my home town (well a big asphalt area that we could turn into a semi permanent track)
While applying for assistance this sport vs hobby thing came up.
The answer was simple, recreational activity.
We were given a sports and recreational activity grant.
Things may have changed since then, but that's how we got around it at the time.

We got enough funding from the council, funding from the government, saved enough money, we had the land, we had access to the equipment to build the track. We had everything we needed.
Then the public liability insurance issues occurred and ate up a large chunk of our savings

cplus

iTrader: (11)

Which state was that?

bd581

NSW - must be about 10 years ago though. The catch was that we had to match the grant dollar for dollar, if we couldn't, we didn't get the grant.

Scott_T

iTrader: (5)

The model boat club I am a member of has received two government grants - one for about $10k to buy a rescue boat, outboard and mower, and another for almost $30k to build a covered pit area. No investment from the club required, but we do have a sign saying the government has supported us.

We are a racing club affiliated with the AMPBA, not a hobby club (like some RC boat clubs), but I doubt we are classed as a sport. I can't say for sure though.

However, I think being recognised as a sport would make things easier and give us more credibility. It is certainly worth looking into what it will take to be recognised as a sport and outlining it to the membership.