2. The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record of the meeting held in the Three Horseshoes on 02 Sep 03.

2. The Charity Cheque was still to be presented.

3. The RAF Team Championships and European Military Championships had been fished; both had been a great success. (Matter Closed)

4. Decisions. It was decided that:

Chairman

2. Decision. It was decided that the chairman would make the necessary amendments and issue the Constitution on CD format. He would also issue TORs to all sub-committee members for signing in due course.

2. Command Festival. As this event may require some personnel to be accommodated overnight, the choice of venue had to take this into account. The Committee was reminded that there were 3 centres of sporting excellence where accommodation should be readily available, namely: RAF Cosford, RAF Halton and RAF Cranwell. There are, however, other RAF units that can accommodate a limited number of personnel so venue choice should not be restricted to these locations. The Deputy Captain proposed Woodland Lakes near Thirsk as the venue for 2004. This was discussed widely, with accommodation being the main concern. Although accommodation at RAF Leeming may be limited, there are other military units in the area that could provide accommodation so this was not considered as a major concern. There were no counter proposals, and Woodland lakes were passed unanimously

3. RAF Inter-Unit Championships. There were 2 proposals for this event, the River Trent from the EMAL, and Woodland View from the Deputy Team Manager.

4. River Trent. The EMAL Chairman, who felt that a return to a ‘proper’ river was long overdue, presented the case. The river was now fishing well and, while everyone should catch, the best angler should win the match on the day. The pegging fee is £2.50 per peg. Walks were not long, and even in the case of flooded condition or clear water the EMAL Chairman was convinced that the venue would fish well, particularly if double pegged.

5. Woodland View. The Chairman presented the case with strong support from Ady North. With a huge head of fish, everyone should have a good days fishing. The facilities are excellent with a cafe and tackle shop on site. The venue is run in a professional manner with the owner being very helpful and would go out of his way to ensure that the event was a success. Pegging is £ 5.50 per peg.

6. Discussion. The two venues were discussed at length with ease of access, funding and the fact that the Command Inter-Units already being on a commercial fishery being the main issues. After a full airing of everyone’s views a vote was taken with the following outcome:

7. Inter-league. The Chairman stated how disappointed he was with the turnout for this year’s event as he felt that this should be one of the premier matches on the calendar. He urged League Chairmen to do their utmost to ensure full participation for next years event. There was one proposal for this event, Woodland Lakes, but as this had been chosen for the Command festival it was withdrawn. The views of the Committee were sought with the following proposals being made. Dusty Kiddell – Grand Union Canal at 3 Locks, Phil Foster – Staunton Harold and Ady North – Woodland View. Again there was much discussion, with the Grand Union being deleted at an early stage. A vote was taken on the 2 remaining venues with the following result.

Staunton Harold is a reservoir holding large stocks of bream and silver fish, and would be predominantly a feeder venue. It was felt that this would encourage greater participation and a fairer venue for all. The match would be fished in Sept.

8. European Military Championships. Although the RAF had successfully hosted this years event, it was felt that the event had not developed as was originally envisaged when the RAF were first invited to participate. It was expected that the number of participants would have increased, but had, in fact, decreased. The cost to successfully compete had now become prohibitive compared to the benefits, and it was therefore reluctantly felt that the RAF should no longer take part in this event.
9. 5 Services. There was also a question mark over this event, however it was felt that work should be carried out to make this event more important in the match fishing calendar.

10. RAF V Old Lags. Due to the timing of this event, and the fact that the venue chosen had fished poorly for the past 3 seasons event, it was often difficult to get enough anglers to participate. The Chairman asked Phil Foster, the HM & OL representative if he would consider changing the venue to try to increase participation. Phil Foster agreed that Bargate had fished poorly for this years event, which was against the form of the proceeding weekend. He would look into other venues, but there were historic and traditional reasons why the event was fished where it was and he was reluctant to make any changes.

11. Decisions. It was decided that:

a. The Command Festival would be fished at Woodland Lakes, Thirsk on 10/11 May.

b. The RAF Inter-Unit Championships would be fished around Burton Joyce, River Trent on 08 Sep.

c. The RAF Inter-League would be fished at Staunton Harold on 22 Sep.

d. The RAF would withdraw from the European Military Championships.

e. The effort spent on the 5 Services would be increased.

f. The RAF v Old Lags would be fished on 27 Oct at a venue to be determined.

All

All

Info

Chairman

HM & OL Rep

Decision. It was decided that Cpl Steve Perham would take over as the STC Rep; the Secretary would amend the contact list as appropriate.

2. The fees for the Old Lags match and The Jeffries Cup were also due and were to be paid by the Treasurer at the earliest opportunity.

Team Manager

2. The Chairman asked that the NFA Rep to obtain information regarding which sections will be used for this years Division One National as soon as possible, to assist with preparation for the match. In addition, as soon as the membership and national entry forms were available, they were to be sent to the Team Manager for prompt payment.

The PRO brought up the subject of a WEB site for the RAFCAA(Coarse). The Chairman agreed that he would make an approach to anyone considered suitable to develop such a site. The Chairman asked that all League Chairmen canvas their leagues to try to determine if an individual with the necessary skills is available.

2. The Match Sec asked why a NONPAS run account, that he felt could be restrictive, had replaced the bank account. The Chairman reported that the reasons were due to the time it has taken in the past to hand over the account between personnel because of bank bureaucracy, but agreed that using NONPAS could result delays of bills and payment, and removed a degree of flexibility. However, the current Team Manager preferred this system, and it would be continued for the time being. It did mean that bills for pegging fees and venues would have to be raised in advance so that they could be paid on the day.

3. The OL/HM Rep reminded all League Chairmen about the system of Associate Members; where those ex service personnel who while wishing to remain active in the fishing undertaken by their respective Leagues were not eligible for HM & OL status. He was interested in the uptake of this facility, as he had not heard that any league had used it.

4. The Team Captain asked about the pegging fees that the STC anglers from the last Inter-Command Championships had had to pay; he felt that it was wrong to expect the anglers to pay this when they were representing their Command. The Chairman agreed that the representatives should not be expected to pay pegging fees. The STC Rep is to look into the situation and obtain reimbursement. If there are any problems with this the Chairman is to be contacted. On a similar note, the Chairman also wishes the STC Rep to chase up the Colours for those STC anglers entitled to them for presentation as soon as possible.