1. Clubman Competition. The Clubman Competition would again be tied in to the RAFCAA AGM, this would then allow for travel authority for those personnel attending the AGM. The Chairman stressed however that, in order to use the travel authority, competitors must attend the AGM. Dates and location of the AGM have yet to be confirmed.

2. Trophies. There was a requirement to standardise the list of perpetual and keepsake trophies for all RAFCAA (Coarse) competitions since there had been considerable variation in the quality and number of trophies awarded over recent years. This would allow easier financial planning in the future.

3. Decisions. The trophy allocation was agreed as follows:

a. All future keepsake trophies would comprise engaved crystal; the format would be decided according to the funding available from entry fees to matches.

b. Trophies would be allocated as follows:

(i) RAF Championships. First 5 individuals, 1st and 2nd in each section and team 1st, 2nd and 3rd, Old Lag individual 1st and Old Lag team 1st.

(ii). RAF Challenge. 6 tumblers for the wining team.

(iii). Inter Command. No glassware.

(iv). Inter League. 1st, 2nd and 3rd individual and team 1st.

(v). PTC/STC Championships. 1st, 2nd and 3rd individual and team 1st and 2nd.

c. Inter Services. This was to be discussed by the Team Manager with the other services.

d. It was decided to retain glassware as opposed to medals, and all funding for engraving would be covered by the RAFCAA(Coarse).

e. The above information is to be collated in a table and added, as an annex, to the Admin Directive.

All other matters would be dealt with as agenda items.

Trophies Rep
Match Sec

Team Manager

Organising league, Match Sec

Cmd Reps

Team Manager

a. Squad. The Squad for the 2006 campaign had been selected, however due to personnel remaining in the RAF who had been expected to leave there would now be a total of 23 squad members for this year only.

b. Matches. The RAF Team won the annual RAF v Old Lags match, and was second in both the 5 Services and Eastern Region (ER) Shield. The ER result was particularly impressive as it involved the crème of Eastern England’s match anglers.

c. Overseas Challenge. There had been problems with the Overseas Challenge, costs continue to rise and the Navy team had withdrawn at late notice as they could not field a team. To make the event viable, another team consisting of 5 RAF personnel and 1 individual who has recently left the RAF had been formed; retaining the total of 7 teams. There was some discussion as to the future of this event, with suggestions of either a smaller event, 3 RAF teams as a norm and a differing location. It was felt however that this event in its current format was ideal as a team-building event and therefore should remain in place. Some discussion also took place regarding potentially moving the event to UK or Ireland. Due to the current security situation, Ireland was not currently a viable option although this would be reviewed on an annual basis. Moving the venue to UK would probably prove more expensive than its current form and would not offer the variety of angling currently enjoyed.

2. Decision. It was decided that the Overseas Challenge would stay in its current form, but with 3 RAF teams invited in the future. This would be reviewed on an annual basis, as would the composition of other invited teams, and the venues chosen.

2. New guidance had been received from the RAF Sports Board regarding RAF Sports web-sites. All Sports web-sites posted on the www, were to be mirrored to be placed on the official RAF site. Since the subscription for the RAFCAA (Coarse) website had just been renewed it was decided that:

a. The www website would be maintained and regularly updated.

b. The Chairman would contact the webmaster and provide details of the guidance, after which the site would need to be replicated on the RAF Sports Board site.

All

Chairman
Webmaster

2. RAF Championships. The venue for the 2006 RAF Championships had to be decided. The 5 nominations were as follows:

a. Boston Drains (East Midlands)

b. Woodland view (W Midlands)

c. Kennet and Avon Canal (South West)

d. Heronbrook Fishery (Midlands)

e. Browning Cudmore (W Midlands).

During the discussions it was decided that Heronbrook Fishery would not be a suitable venue for 150 anglers and was not included in the vote. After much discussion a vote took place with the following results:

Venue - Votes
Boston Drains - 4
Woodland View - 1
Kennet and Avon - 6
Browning Cudmore - 1

Therefore the RAF Championships would take place on the Kennet and Avon Canal on 06 Sep 06.

3. Command Inter Unit and Inter Command Festival. Larford Lakes was the only venue nominated for this event. There was some discussion as to how the event should be fished i.e. whether the Inter Command should take place before the Command Inter Units, to ensure the Inter-Units were fair for each team. It was decided that the event would retain the same format as in previous years, with the Command Inter Unit taking place first, however the allocation of pegs on each of the 2 venues would ensure that anglers from each Command would have the opportunity to fish the lake selected for the Inter-Commands. The event would be held on 16-17 May 06

4. Inter league. There was only one nomination for this event, the Ancholme. This is best fished as late in the year as possible and after much discussion it was decided that the best time to hold this match would be 29 Nov 06.

5. All league Chairmen are reminded that if they wanted a venue to be chosen for a particular match they must formally nominate it using the template in the Admin Directive. This was especially important for the Inter league match where effort was being made to ensure that the event is held in differing areas of the country.

All
Match Sec
Chair SWAL

All
Cmd Reps

League Chairmen

League Chairmen

Specimen Rep

2. It was noted that the EAWL has not nominated a replacement for the post of Chairman after Flt Lt Lemin had left. The EAWL Rep reported that they were in the process of nominating a suitable individual and once a decision had been taken he would report to the Chairman.

EAWL Rep

2. As mentioned in Item 4.4, the RAF would be sending a third team to the Overseas Challenge. It was not possible to get Sports Lottery funding for this team who would therefore be paying the full cost for all travel etc. The Treasures asked if he could issue £50 per team member from the contingency fund to assist with travel costs. This was accepted unanimously by the Committee.

3. To ensure the success of the Carp Championships, and to assist in the running of other specimen events that were in the pipeline, it was asked that the Committee allow spending of up to £500. This was accepted unanimously.

Team Manager

2. The Chairman thanked all League Chairmen for the work they did in ensuring the sport continued to be viable. He stated that as units were closing it may be necessary to look at the viability of some of the leagues with a view to making changes, however there was little point in proposing changes to the league structures until final decisions had been made over which Units would close. He asked all League Chairmen to keep him informed of any problems they encountered due to units closing and if necessary he would look at making changes earlier.

The NFA continues with its requirement to have all anglers fishing the National Championships as individual members. Last year there was an agreement that the RAF could buy 12 individual memberships and name the anglers on the day. This caused some confusion on the day and resulted in the team almost being disqualified. To ensure that this does not happen in the future, all squad members would be given individual NFA membership to ensure that they could represent the RAF at any NFA run event.

Team Manager

As well as the deal with Tek-neek Trabucco, there may be a possibility to obtain a deal with a groundbait company; this would be investigated by various members of the Committee who would then report back to the Chairman.

Specimen Rep

2. Woody Woods from the EMAL was put forward for Old Lag Status, this was accepted unanimously. The EMAL Chairman was to pass details to the HM/OL Rep so that a letter can be sent to Mr Woods.

The Team Manager asked if the Old Lags would like to enter a team into the 5 Services. The HM/OL Rep took up this offer.

EMAL Chair

HM/OL Rep

2. The Chairman wished to express his thanks to WO Tony Green who had stood down as WMAL Chairman as he was shortly to leave the service. Tony had carried out sterling work for the Committee for many years, and his input has always been greatly received.

The EMAL Chairman asked it the decision taken with regard to teams entered into the Inter League could be revisited. He believed that the reduction to 8 anglers disadvantaged some of his members who were good anglers but would not get in the team. He believed that allowing those leagues that had the members should be able to enter 2 teams on the proviso that the second team was barred from winning the competition. He felt that by doing this those anglers that were good but had not broken into the RAF Squad could be looked at by Squad Members. Others felt that this would devalue the event and both the Team Manager and Team Captain did not feel they required this format to find out who should be in the Squad. A vote was taken with the decision to keep the format as voted on at the last meeting.

PRO