Welcome to the United Kingdom Canicross Federation webpage.

Dear All,

Apologies for this slightly unusual communication, but it seems to be the quickest and easiest way to get in touch with everyone regarding the current situation of the representation of Canicross & Bikejor within the United Kingdom.

As you are probably aware, the company Canix UK, owned by Richard & Eileen Cook, has been the sole representative for the United Kingdom for the sports of Canicross and Bikejor to Europe.  Richard Cook put himself forward to the European Canicross Federation (ECF) as ‘Inscription Secretary’ to the United Kingdom.  This role, as outlined on the ECF website (www.cani-cross.eu) is purely to collate the entries for the European Championships from each European country and forward them to the ECF for processing. 

Richard Cook and Canix UK has however, processed all entries to the European Canicross Championships through their company Canix UK, meaning that only members of Canix UK can participate at the European Championships.  Additionally, the entry price to the European Championships has then been inflated to cover the additional costs levied by Canix UK, for which competing athletes have had no choice in agreeing to.  The current cost of entry to the European Championships stands at E50, which includes race fees, camping, showers, toilets and commemorative t-shirt.

Due to the inflated prices charged by Canix UK for meals etc at the Belgium Canicross Championships the Belgium Canicross Federation (www.cani-cross.be) has launched a formal complaint against Canix UK.  The Belgium Federation feels it has been shown in a poor light by the prices charged by Canix UK and that the number of entries to the competition may have been higher if athletes had been offered a choice to enter at the price levied by the ECF (E50), rather than through Canix UK.

In light of these developments and with regards to the representation offered by Canix UK of the United Kingdom to the European Canicross Federation, it has been suggested that a Federation be set up in the United Kingdom, just as there is in other European countries.  This committee will be known as the United Kingdom Canicross Federation (UKCF) and it will include the sport of bikejor.  The UKCF will form an independent elected committee representing England, N.Ireland, Scotland and Wales. 

Membership to the UKCF will be open to all who uphold the values of the UKCF. 

A temporary, interim committee for the UKCF will be requested for six months to enable full elections and membership to be established.  Membership of the UKCF will be for a minimal fee (approx £10) per person, which will include membership to the ECF and will allow individuals to enter the European Championships through the entry secretary of the UKCF.

Nominations are invited from individuals to become a member of the UKCF committee.  It is hoped that there will be as geographically wide a representation as possible.  There are 5 posts within the committee, President, Vice President, Entry (Inscription) Secretary, Treasurer and Secretary.  All members of the UKCF will be entitled to vote on matters and it is hoped to develop a committee which is passionate about the development of the sport.

The formation of the UKCF will in no way preclude companies such as Canix UK from taking teams to the European Championships.  Rather it is hoped that by extending the entry criteria that more participants will be encouraged to attend events such as the European Championships and that we, as a Federation can grow the sport of Canicross and Bikejor within the United Kingdom.

The UKCF is the opportunity to set up an independent and democratic Committee which truly represents all Canicrossers and Bikejorers within the United Kingdom and which offers entry to the European Championships to all.

Grievance:

"Please find attached a proposal to establish a United Kingdom Canicross Federation (UKCF) in alignment with the Canicross Federations which already exists within Europe.

The reason for this submission for a Federation within United Kingdom is that currently there is no open and independent representation. Canix UK currently represents the United Kingdom to the ECF committee and as Canix UK is a privately owned company and there is no elected committee or elected president, the posts are self elected.

Additionally, the current representation for the United Kingdom, through Canix UK, does not allow all participants to take part in the Championships of Europe. Canicrossers are not allowed to enter unless

they are a member of Canix UK and membership to Canix UK is not open to everyone. This therefore makes it an exclusive club which does not accurately reflect the sport of Canicross within United Kingdom.

For example: Canix UK does not abide by the rules stated on the ECF website, specifically the website states that “2. The head of a nation: a) collate all the entries of its athletes and then transcribed on the form "entry form 2011" located on the site ECF.”

Canix UK has a selection process which is based upon personal preferences of the company owners, which has prevented ECF medal winners from defending their titles and canicrossers who are members of clubs, other than Canix UK taking part.

A number of participants are precluded from entering the European Championships due to extra fees levied by Canix UK on top of the fees stated by the ECF website. For example, participants from United

Kingdom at the European Championships must purchase Canix UK team kit as part of their entry fee. Although the team kit is discounted, there is no option to simply enter the European Championships at the price stated on the ECF website.

It is therefore proposed that the UKCF will form an independent, elected body within the United Kingdom through which membership to the ECF will be processed. The UKCF will process all entries to events such as the European Canicross and Bikejor Championships. The UKCF will operate an all inclusive policy to membership and everyone who abides by the Rules and Regulations of the sport of Canicross will be eligible for membership.

Membership fees to the UKCF will be equivalent to those within mainland Europe and will be kept to a minimum and will cover administration fees and insurance costs. The UKCF will be a non- profit making organisation.

This proposal in no way precludes any clubs/organisations/businesses from entering a team through the UKCF to the European Canicross Championships. It is intended that this proposal will expand and

develop the sport of Canicross within the United Kingdom, encouraging as many as people as possible to take part in the sport of Canicross. This can be achieved through an independent body offering a fair and transparent membership system which has a clear financial pricing policy for all.

It is asked that the European Canicross Federation consider this proposal to found a Canicross Federation in the United Kingdom and grant an interim period to a temporary committee of 6 months in order to establish the UKCF and organise nominations for elections to posts from all dog sport participants within the United Kingdom."