RAFCAA (Coarse Angling) Administrative Directive - Third Edition

RAFCAA/CCMAN/3

See Distribution 01 Sep 07

THE ROYAL AIR FORCE COMPETITIVE ANGLING ASSOCIATION COARSE ANGLING ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTIVE – EDITION THREE

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References:

A. AP3415 Section 2 Chapter 2.

INTRODUCTION

1. The RAFCAA (Coarse) Administrative Directive was first crafted in 1991 and has developed into a mature document, being updated on a regular basis. The purpose of the Directive is to provide an authoritative document as a reference for the rules, regulations and administration of all events and competitions linked to Coarse Angling within the RAF. It has RAF Sports Board approval, and has been formally agreed by the RAF Coarse Angling sub-committee. This is the third edition of the Directive, published to update the original, incorporate changes to the way RAF Coarse Angling is run as agreed by the RAF Coarse Angling sub-committee, and reflect current RAF sports policy.

2. Except where clearly detailed, rules and regulations detailed in the Directive are not open to interpretation, and are to be strictly followed by all members of the RAFCAA (Coarse) sub-committee and members, including regional leagues. All disputes concerning eligibility, format, and organisation of RAFCAA (Coarse) matches are to refer to this document for a definitive ruling. In the unlikely event that the ruling on a dispute is not covered in the Directive, the dispute is to be referred to the Chairman who will make a decision. Proposed amendments are to be made in writing to the Chairman, and, if appropriate, presented to the subsequent RAFCAA (Coarse) committee meeting for discussion and approval. If the proposal is approved, amendments will be made accordingly. The Coarse Angling Chairman is the only authority for amendments, and it is the responsibility of each committee member to ensure that personal copies of the Directive are kept up to date and available to all as required.

COMMAND AND CONTROL

3. The RAFCAA Chairman retains executive control over all elements of angling within the RAF, exercised through the RAFCAA Executive Committee. He appoints the Coarse Angling Chairman, who is delegated responsibility for the affairs of the coarse angling discipline, and for appointing members of the coarse angling sub-committee. The Coarse Angling Chairman is a member of the Executive Committee, and, whilst responsibility for routine administration and decision-making for RAF Coarse Angling is delegated to the Coarse Angling Chairman, the RAFCAA Chairman retains final executive control over the Sub-Committee.

THE RAF COARSE ANGLING SUB-COMMITTEE

4. Responsibilities. The RAFCAA (Coarse) sub-committee is responsible to the RAFCAA Chairman for the planning, organisation, administration and programming of all elements of Coarse Angling within the RAF. It is specifically responsible for:

a. Implementing the decisions of the RAFCAA Executive Committee.

b. Maintaining a viable and active regional coarse angling league structure at unit level.

c. Selecting and maintaining an RAF Representative Coarse Angling Squad to compete at the highest level of military and civilian standard possible, including Inter-Services and NFA Divisional Championships.

d. The maintenance of a comprehensive fixture list as authorised by the RAF Sports Board, to encompass all levels of competition, from Inter-Unit, through Command Representation to full Representative level.

e. The promotion and development of coarse angling within the RAF.

f. The external promotion of RAF coarse angling to maintain its high profile within the angling community and promote the RAF as a whole.

g. The maintenance of a coarse angling Administrative Directive as the authoritative document for all aspects of RAF coarse angling.

h. Any other initiatives in line with the above that will enhance coarse angling within the RAF and the reputation of the RAF as a whole.

5. Structure. The sub-committee is to be made up of the following appointments. Each appointment should have a nominated deputy, who is able to represent him in his absence. All posts are to be ratified by the sub-committee and approved by the RAFCAA (Coarse) Chairman.

a. Chairman. The Chairman is nominated by the RAFCAA Chairman and is usually a commissioned officer of sqn ldr level or above. TORs are given at Annex A.

b. Secretary. Appointed by the sub-committee Chairman, the Secretary is responsible for all administrative duties. TORs are given at Annex B.

c. Match Secretary. The Match Secretary is normally a NCO, and appointed by the sub-committee Chairman. He is responsible for the efficient running of RAF sponsored matches, including the RAF Inter-Unit Championships. TORs are given at Annex C.

d. Team Captain. The Team Captain is appointed by the sub-committee Chairman, following consultation with the Team Manager. The Team Captain can be any rank, and, although no set period is dictated for the tenure, would normally be expected to be in post for a minimum of 2 seasons in order to gain experience, provide continuity and allow time for his team policy to take effect. TORs are given at Annex D.

f. Team Manager. The Team Manager is also appointed by the sub-committee Chairman, and is normally a commissioned officer. He is responsible for all aspects of the management of the RAF Squad. He will also usually be the sub-committee Chairman’s nominated deputy and act as the Treasurer for the sub-committee. TORs are given at Annex E.

g. Public Relations Officer (PRO). The PRO is responsible for all RAFCAA (coarse) publicity, and can be of any rank. TORs are given at Annex F.

h. NFA Representative. The NFA representative can be of any rank and is the association’s link with the NFA, coarse angling’s governing body. TORs are given at Annex G.

i. Trophies Representative. The trophies representative is to ensure that trophies are provided and maintained for all nominated events. He can be of any rank. TORs are given at Annex H.

j. League Chairmen. League Chairmen are selected by their own league at an EGM or AGM, but their selection must be approved by the sub-committee Chairman. League Chairmen are normally commissioned officers or warrant officers, but may be SNCOs. TORs are given at Annex I.

k. Old Lags & Honorary Members (OL & HM) Representative. An OL & HM representative is invited to sit on the committee as a volunteer, to represent the interests of Old Lags and Honorary Members. He may be an Honorary Member or Old Lag, but does not have voting rights. TORs are given at Annex J.

l. Specimen Representative. The Specimen Representative is to collate, maintain and publicise an RAF Coarse Record list. He may also arrange such competitions, teach-ins and meetings as there is appetite for, understanding that there will be no travel authorities or funding for such events. TORs and the eligibility and template claim form for a record are given at Annex K.

m. Sponsorship Representative. The Sponsorship Representative is to be the primary focal point for all matters relating to sponsorship, including ordering and distributing any equipment, ensuring agreements relating to publicity are adhered to brokering any new deals and ensuring sponsors are kept updated with results and publicity initiatives involving the RAFCAA. The Sponsorship Rep should normally be a current member of the RAF Squad.

6. Meetings. The sub-committee has RAF Sports Board authority to hold 2 sub-committee meetings per year plus an AGM. The sub-committee Chairman chairs the meetings, and all sub-committee members, or their nominated deputies are to attend. Where appropriate, meetings will be held the day of or the day before major RAF coarse angling events to ensure maximum attendance and financial prudence.

REGIONAL LEAGUE STRUCTURE

7. Organisation. Each RAF Station in the UK is located in 1 of 6 regional leagues for administrative purposes. These leagues are given below, and their member stns are listed at Annex L. Where minor units within each league are unable to field their own team, they may combine to form a team on a season by season basis, providing that this is agreed at their League AGM, ratified at the next sub-committee meeting and funded to the same level as other competing teams. Joint Service and other Single Service Units may join these leagues providing that this is agreed at the relevant League AGM and ratified by the sub-committee. They can only win trophies and prizes that are self-funded by the leagues however and not paid for through RAF Sports Board funding. The 6 league areas are as follows, with member stations as per Annex L:

Chiltern Angling League (CAL) East Anglian Wednesday League (EAWL) East Midlands Angling League (EMAL) Scottish Coarse Angling League (SCAL) South West Angling League (SWAL) Vale of York League (VOYL) West Midland Angling League (WMAL)

8. League Sub-Committees. Each league is to be run by a league sub-committee, comprising, as a minimum, a League Chairman, Secretary, Match Secretary, Treasurer and Carp Representative. TORs for these appointments are at Annexes I and M-O respectively. League sub-committees are to conduct an annual AGM and up to 2 additional sub-committee meetings per year, at the discretion of the League Chairman. They are also to maintain a League Constitution, and produce an end-of-season report each year as laid down in their TORs. Minutes of AGMs and end-of-season reports are to be forwarded to the sub-committee Chairman on request in time for them to be collated into the overall RAFCAA (Coarse) End of Season Report to be presented at the RAFCAA AGM.

9. League Competitions. Each league may run up to 12 matches per year, plus a ‘Fur and Feather’ match. The format of the matches is to be agreed at league level, and may include one year-round competition, or be divided into ‘Summer’ and ‘Winter’ leagues. However, the RAFCAA Coarse Angling Fixtures List must be consulted before league programmes are finalised in order to avoid date clashes wherever practicable. Authority for these competitions is covered under AP **** RAF Team matches and RAFCAA run matches take priority over league matches.

10. Inter-League Competition. An Inter-League competition is to be held annually, details of which are at para 11 b.

RAFCAA SPONSORED MATCHES

11. RAFCAA Matches. The sub-committee is responsible for organising a number of Sports Board and RAFCAA sponsored matches throughout the year. These matches are as follows:

a. Inter-Unit Championships. This is the major internal event of the year, in which all RAF units are invited to enter teams of 3 anglers. Units may enter as many teams as they wish and individuals may also enter. The venue is selected by the sub-committee, which also organises and runs the event. An Old Lags Championship is run in parallel at the same venue.

b. Inter-League Championships. The Inter-League Championships are held annually at a venue selected by the sub-committee. However, while the overall responsibility for the match lies with the sub-committee, the planning and organisation of the event is the responsibility of the league in whose area the match is to be held. Each league may enter one team of 8 anglers, individual results of which count towards the overall team result on a points basis.

c. Clubman of the Year Competition. An RAFCAA (Coarse) Clubman of the year competition has been initiated as one method of developing and improving RAFCAA (Coarse) anglers. The competition is only open to RAF serving personnel who have never represented the RAFCAA (Coarse) team, and who have qualified through their regional leagues. The rules for this competition are given at Annex S.

RULES FOR RAF COARSE ANGLING COMPETITIONS

12. A set of ‘model’ match rules for all RAF Coarse Angling competitions are provided at Annex P. These are based upon current NFA rules and are to be used for all RAF Sports Board and RAFCAA sponsored matches where local fishery rules do not apply. The only exceptions to this are as follows:

a. Where local rules apply, these are to be strictly adhered to (e.g. bait bans, type of keepnets, hooks), and all other rules are to follow the RAF model.

b. Individual leagues may vote to incorporate their own rules at their AGM, providing that there is a majority agreement (e.g. allowing the use of bloodworm & joker), however the model rules should be used as a guide-line. Where leagues do amend their own rules, these are to be promulgated to all members of that league well in advance and ratified at the league’s AGM.

ELIGIBILITY TO ENTER RAF ANGLING COMPETITIONS

13. The rules on eligibility are clearly laid down at Reference A. They are endorsed by the RAF Sports Board and applicable elements are detailed below. They are to be strictly adhered to; there is no room for interpretation. To ensure this, all RAF match paperwork is to include a paragraph on eligibility, and match organisers and team captains are to ensure that only eligible personnel enter a match. Any team breaking these rules is liable to disqualification. Where the guidance is not clear, the Chairman will act as arbitrator.

14. Inter-Station Competitions. All regular Service personnel posted to a unit, personnel filling miscellaneous and special duty posts, which are functionally controlled by the Ministry of Defence and personnel serving on permanent detachments, are eligible to play for their local parenting unit if not required by their posted unit. During attachments exceeding 28 days, the parenting unit will have first claim on a player for the first 28 days. If this right is not exercised, and in any event, after 28 days, a player may represent the unit to which they are attached. The following are also eligible:

a. RAF University Cadets on permanent engagement.

b. RAF University Bursars who are members of the Reserve Forces.

c. Reserve Force personnel on Full Time Reserve Service (FTRS) and Additional Duties Commitment (ADC) terms of service.

d. Part-time reserve air forces personnel may be authorised by their CO’s to participate in Inter-Station and Inter-Command sports competitions on the understanding that there is no entitlement to pay, allowances or travel costs. The reservist will be deemed to be on unpaid duty and attendance is to be recorded as being under S27 of RFA 96 and as Cat C-2 vide AP 3392.

e. In the RAF Inter-Unit Championships, Honorary Members and Old Lags may not compete for an RAF Unit, but may be grouped together into teams of 3 for the purpose of the draw. Although pegged within the match length, they compete in a separately calculated match.

15. Inter-League Competitions. The eligibility for the Inter-League competition is as per para 14 with the following additions:

a. MoD Civilians. When employed on RAF units, MoD civilians may represent the League controlling the stn or unit on which they are employed; provided that they are insured as per para 20. They are not on duty when competing and must therefore take leave.

b. HM/OLs. HM/OLs may be selected as team members but only if they have attended more than 50% of the qualifying season’s matches. The rules at para 20 regarding insurance apply.

c. Prizes. In the Inter-League Competition, all eligible personnel may win individual prizes.

16. Individual Prizes – RAF Inter-Unit. Only RAF personnel are eligible to win individual prizes in the RAF Inter-Unit Championships. All others entering, either as part of a team or as individuals, are ineligible for individual awards (trophies), and as such they may not displace serving RAF personnel when awarded.

17. Eligibility for RAF competitions for personnel other than regular RAF personnel.

a. Other Services. Officers, other ranks and ratings of the Royal Navy, Army and Foreign Forces serving with the RAF for not less than 28 days are permitted to play for the Station to which they are attached in Inter-Station and Inter-Command Competitions.

b. MOD Civilians. MOD civilians may participate in Inter-Station competitions; however they will not be on duty when playing and must take leave. In all cases, Service personnel have priority over civilians for a place in a team. Where Service personnel are available to play; civilians are not to take their place. When Service personnel are not available, up to 49% of the team may be civilians. Although off duty, they are nevertheless permitted to travel in Service transport with their Service colleagues in accordance with JSP 341, para 3. These regulations only apply to Station level sports teams. Civilians are not permitted to play in Group, Command or Service Representative level teams.

c. Joint Units. Personnel of all 3 Services on the strength of any Joint Service Establishment may represent those establishments. Joint Service Establishments may enter teams in all 3 Service competitions, but individuals will be able to compete in only 1 such competition in any one year .

18. Eligibility of Civilians to Compete in RAFCAA Competitions. In accordance with Reference A, civilians employed on RAF units may represent their stn, or compete as individuals, under the following conditions:

a. MoD employed civilians may compete in the RAF Inter-Unit Championships, Inter-League Championships, and regional league matches.

b. With the exception of MoD employed civilians employed on RAF units plus HMs, OLs, Associated League Members (ALMs), who are dealt with elsewhere in this Directive, no other categories of civilian may compete in RAFCAA competitions.

c. RAF Inter-Unit Championships. In the RAF Inter-Unit Championships, Service personnel have priority over civilians for a place in a team. When Service personnel are available to compete, civilians are not to take their place. Where Service personnel are not available, up to 49% of the team and up to 49% of the squad (ie the whole contingent including reserves) may be eligible civilians .

d. RAF League Matches. A maximum of one MoD employed civilian may compete in a stn/unit team, selected upon their ability. Stns are not to enter teams containing more than one MoD civilian or contractor unless it would be impossible to field a team otherwise or unless all available Servicemen have been allocated places in higher teams.

e. MoD employed civilians are not on duty when competing and must take leave.

f. Although MoD employed civilians are off duty when competing, they are nevertheless permitted to travel in Service transport.

g. No civilians are permitted in Service representational competitions.

h. All civilians are to comply with the insurance requirements laid down in para 20 below.

i. Honorary Members and Old Lags. HM/OLs may compete in league matches either as individuals or within Old Lags teams, providing they have paid the same affiliation fees as participating RAF unit teams.

19. Insurance.

a. Service Personnel. All Servicemen are considered to be on duty when competing in RAFCAA competitions. However, competitors should also seriously consider taking out extra cover for ‘loss of potential’ etc, should they be forced to leave the Service due to injury, and also for personal liability in the event of private prosecutions being brought against them.

b. MoD Civilians. MoD Civilians may not be covered by MOD insurance while they are competing in RAFCAA competitions. Contractors may, equally, be uninsured for this type of activity. Therefore, before being eligible to enter any RAFCAA competition, MoD Civilians and contractors are, without exception, to insure themselves for third party liability in one of the following ways:

(1) By joining their stn’s Civilian Sports Club’; the joining fee for this should include a contribution to the cost of generic third party insurance and to non-public third party liability insurance.

(2) By joining the Civil Service Sports Insurance Scheme (MoD employed civilians only).

(3) By means of a private policy which specifically covers them for third party liability for this type of activity.

c. HM/OL/ALMs. HM/OL/ALMs are to be fully insured, with a minimum of third party liability cover, before entering any RAFCAA competition.

d. Responsibility for Insurance Cover. It is the personal responsibility of every civilian, of all categories, wishing to compete in RAFCAA competitions, to ensure that he/she is fully insured to do so. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of any Team Captain wishing to field a civilian to satisfy himself that the individual is insured before allowing him/her to compete.

e. Declaration. All civilians wishing to compete in RAFCAA competitions are to complete and sign the declaration at Annex Q before they are allowed to compete in any competition. These signed declarations are to be held by the Old Lags Sec (for HM/OLs) and by League Chairmen for all other eligible civilians.

20. RAF Auxiliary Personnel. For the purposes of this Directive, RAF Auxiliary personnel are not allowed to compete in RAFCAA competitions.

21. Team Captain’s Responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the Team Captain entering a team into any RAFCAA competition to ensure that all team members are eligible to compete iaw the eligibility rules laid down in this Directive; any breaches of these rules will render the whole Team liable for disqualification.

22. Priority Claim on Competitors. Priority for Royal Air Force competitors is as follows:

County
Command
Group
Station
Civilian Club

THE RAF TEAM

23. The RAFCAA Coarse Team Manager, in close consultation with the Team Captain, is to select the RAF Team for any particular event. The RAF Squad is selected on an annual basis by a committee comprising the Team Manager, Team Captain, and Vice-Captain, and approved by the Chairman. The squad will comprise a total of 20 anglers. The Selection Committee sits either directly after the first Sub-committee meeting of the year or at a separate meeting as agreed by the Selection Committee. The Squad must be selected by the end of Feb at the latest for the following season. To assist in the selection process, the form shown at Annex R is to be distributed by the Team Manager to previous Squad members and to League Chairmen. On completion, these forms are to be returned to the Team Manager by 01 Dec each year. All anglers wishing to represent the RAF at Coarse Angling are to complete the application form in full. Where detachments or operational requirements dictate that individuals have to withdraw from the squad or are unavailable for the majority of the season, replacement squad members may be selected by the Team Manager and Captain, again endorsed by the Chairman.

RAF TEAM COMPETITIONS

24. Each year, the RAF Team is to enter a number of major competitions, these events are as follows:

a. The Inter-Services Competition. This match is fished, annually, between the RAF, the RN and the Army. Each Service takes turns in selecting the venue and organising the event. Each year’s competition is financed jointly. Team Managers are encouraged to hold a Joint Service meeting once a season in order to co-ordinate activities and agree formats and rules.

b. The NFA National Championships. This match is the major event in the civilian angling calendar; it is organised and run by the NFA and the Sub-committee is to ensure the entry of the best available and most prepared RAF Team possible.

c. The NFA Eastern Region Shield. This event is arranged, annually, by the NFA; the Sub-committee is to arrange the entry of the RAF Team.

d. The RAF Team Challenge Competition. This event is arranged and financed, annually, by the RAF as a final practice for the NFA National Championships. The competitors are the RAF Team and up to 8 of the most competitive civilian teams in the country.

e. Annual Overseas Competitions. These may include competitions between the RAF Team and teams from military units in Germany, or an RAF Team entry into a major competition such as the NATO Angling Championships, the European Military Angling Championships or the Danish Open. It is the responsibility of the Sub-committee to arrange, or arrange entry into, one of these competitions.

f. Other Competitions. At the discretion of the RAFCAA (Coarse) Chairman, and on the advice of the Team Captain and the Team Manager, the Team may also enter other competitions such as the Jeffries Cup, the Drennan or Angling Times Leagues, the Trent, Thames or Nene Championships, although these are unlikely to attract travel authority.

HONORARY MEMBERS SELECTION PROCEDURE

25. In order to become an Honorary Member (HM) of the RAFCAA an individual must be considered to have made a significant contribution to RAF Angling. The procedure is as follows:

a. The individual must be proposed, in writing, for consideration at a Sub-committee meeting; the Sub-committee’s acceptance of this individual must be unanimous.

b. The Coarse Chairman then puts the proposal forward at an RAFCAA Execs meeting; the RAFCAA Execs’ acceptance must be unanimous.

c. The Coarse Chairman then puts the proposal forward at the next RAFCAA AGM and a vote conducted for acceptance of the individual.

OLD LAGS SELECTION PROCEDURE

26. In order to become an Old Lag (OL) of RAF Coarse Angling, the procedure is as follows:

a. An ex-RAF individual may be nominated for Old Lag status of the League in whose ‘catchment area’ he lives. To be nominated, he must be considered to have made a significant contribution to RAF Coarse Angling at RAF, Command, League or Stn Level

b. A written nomination is to be submitted, the League Chairman, to the Sub-committee to be considered at the next Sub-committee meeting.

c. Acceptance is voted upon at a Sub-committee meeting, or extraordinarily, by a ‘postal vote’. A simple majority is required and the Coarse Chairman has the casting vote.

ASSOCIATED LEAGUE MEMBER SELECTION PROCEDURE

27. Any Ex-serviceman not eligible to become either an HM or OL may be nominated as an Associated League Member (ALM) of the League in whose ‘catchment area’ he lives. The procedure is as follows:

a. A written nomination is to be submitted, by a League Member, to the League Sub-committee.

b. Acceptance is voted upon at a League AGM, a League Sub-committee Meeting or an Extraordinary Meeting; at the League Chairman’s discretion, there may be a postal vote.

c. Only the League Execs, ie one representative per stn, the Treasurer, the Sec and the Match Sec are eligible to vote for acceptance or not. A simple majority is required and the League Chairman has the casting vote.

RAFCAA COARSE ANGLING SPECIMEN FISH LIST

28. RAF Coarse Angling maintains a Specimen Fish List in order to record the largest fish of each coarse species captured by a serving member of the RAF. The maintenance of this list is the responsibility of the Specimen Rep. Full details are at Annex K.

HEALTH AND SAFETY (H&S) RESPONSIBILITIES

29. The Match Sec is appointed as the H&S Rep to the Sub-committee; however, it is the responsibility of the individuals organising matches, normally the Match Sec and League Match Secs, to ensure that:

a. No pegs are placed within a close proximity to overhead power lines.

b. All pegs are safe to be fished from.

c. A briefing is given, before the draw, covering any H&S issues peculiar to that venue; this is to include power lines, deep water, steep banks and any road safety or parking considerations.

d. Where there is any doubt whatsoever concerning a safety matter, the organising committee is to err on the side of caution, even if this means cancelling the event (e.g. in extreme flood conditions, electrical storm etc).

e. In the event of an incident (such as an angler falling in, or becoming seriously ill), the match is to be halted, or cancelled, at least until the incident has been satisfactorily dealt with. The results may stand, the match re-fished, or re-commenced at the organising committees discretion.

f. A copy of the RAFCAA (Coarse) Safety Survey is to be attached to all match paperwork.

CONCLUSION

30. There will inevitably be situations arising which are not covered by this Directive; under these circumstances the RAFCAA Chairman, the Coarse Chairman and, exceptionally, the Deputy Coarse Chairman, are the only authorities for granting special dispensations or modifying the rules laid down in this document. Finally, it is incumbent upon every member of RAF Coarse Angling, whatever their position in the organisation, to do their utmost to uphold and foster the good name of RAF Angling and to exhibit the sportsman-like attitude for which the RAFCAA is well-known and respected.

A S CORBETT
Gp Capt
Chairman RAF Coarse Angling

Authentication:

D I Ogg
Gp Capt
Chairman RAFCAA

Distribution:

Action:

RAFCAA (Coarse) Sub-Committee Members

Information:

RAF Sports Board: Attn DSB 1
DSB 1a
Chairman RAFCAA