Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

Motorcycling Australia (MA) has reach an alliance agreement with select State Controlling Bodies (SCB) that will see ‘a new effective, efficient and collaborative leadership structure’ within the industry.

MA will align with all SCBs aside from Motorcycling Victoria (MV) in the unified agreement, in what it says is the single biggest change ever made to the management of motorcycling in Australia.

Previously a federated model that resulted in inconsistencies across the states and territories, the streamlined decision-making process has been established to provide a unified approach across the nation. Members and stakeholders stand to be rewarded with a host of benefits planned for the future, according to MA.

“In sport it’s a completely new model similar to a federation, but with accountability and process,” explained MA president Peter Goddard, pictured. “It’s about the whole group working as one for a common goal and having a unified agreement process.

“To get the better outcome, it’s better to sit down together and make an agreement about the best way forward for the sport and a means of having a much more unified direction nationwide. We want alignment on licensing, member benefits and much more.

“It’s very positive and important that this agreement has been signed, so we can take the sport forward as a team. In principle, this should be a significant step forward and all of the bodies are very committed. It’s all about making clear decisions and trying to help members and clubs to bring the sport forward.

“Overall as we progress, our aim is to engage with your average motorcyclist across Australia, not just in competition. Our goals are broader and we want to open our doors to all motorcyclist and enthusiasts, offering member discounts and much more. The more members we have, the stronger our voice will be. It needs to expand beyond what it is now, making it better for everyone.”

Under the original federated model, all SCBs (six states and one territory) operated as independent entities to MA with no accountability or processes to bring consistency and stability across the federation. Now, under the alliance model, each SCB involved and MA will operate as seven equal parties with a consistent nationwide approach.

“A huge amount of work by all the SCBs and MA over the last few years has led to arguably the most significant change in MA’s structure since its beginning,” commented MA CEO Peter Doyle. “Possibly a first in a national sporting organisation, the alliance agreement introduces accountability across the organisation and should ensure the veto vote by a single entity that has hampered the federation in the past is now removed from our sport.

“All eight entities have agreed to work in a cooperative and collaborative manner, as a group, to standardise and implement sporting opportunities across the country, rather than the historical eight different programs and directions we would expect to see. This can only be beneficial to the sport long term.

An alliance between MA and SCBs will enhance the safety and quality of facilities and benefits for its members and stakeholders over time, today’s announcement states. It will provide a streamlined decision-making body, providing a unified approach between all SCBs and, importantly, instill a culture of collaboration.

“This is a culmination of a lot of effort behind the scenes,” said Brenton Matters, president of Motorcycling South Australia and MA council representative. “I want to thank the multitude of people that have helped to get this through.

“It’s the biggest change to MA and the SCBs since their inception. It all began when the council came together four years ago with the Whole of Sport Review. That set up the framework and strategy of change for the future – that is where the idea of an alliance was born.

“The alliance agreement basically holds all boards, MA and SCBs to the alliance’s principles. Basically, it will allow for better decision making as one board member can’t halt a process if they disagree. Through a protocol, they will have to provide reasoning and work towards a unanimous decision. It’s all about working together towards a common goal.”

Motorcycling Victoria has not joined the alliance agreement at this time and will not participate in the national decision-making process of the sport and will continue to operate independently of the other seven entities.

CycleOnline.com.au first reported on the alliance agreement in September of 2016, a movement that has ultimately led to today’s official announcement.