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> Squad updates

Mar 2005
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> Team Mgr

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Wg Cdr Andy Johnstone is Team Manager RAFCAA (Coarse).

Wg Cdr Andy Johnstone is the RAF Coarse Angling Team Captain and a full Welsh International angler. He joined the RAF in Nov 1988 and was selected for the RAF Team in 1994; he gained his first full cap when he represented the RAF in the Inter-Services Team and Division 1 National Team in 1995. He has represented Wales since 2004. Within the Service he has won the Strike Command Championships as a team member in 1991, 1997 and 2001 (with 3 different Units) and individually in 2002. He has won the Support Command Championships as a team member in 1992 and won the Logistics Command Individual title in 1996. The RAF championships winner’s title has eluded him but he has finished Team Runner-Up on 3 occasions. At League level, he has twice completed a hat-trick of team and individual titles from 1994-1996 in the South West Area League and repeated the feat winning both Team and Individuals three years running in the Chiltern Angling League from 2000-2002.

He has filled every post on the committee - bar Chairman - and has been Team Manager on 2 occasions (split by a tour in Germany) 1995-1997 and 1999-2001. He is currently Secretary to the RAF Competitive Angling Association Executive Committee. He holds the highest match weight recorded by an RAF angler at 310lb 12oz. He has also caught the heaviest fish during a match by a RAF angler - a whopping 25lb 8oz carp caught on the pole!

Team Captain’s message to the 2007 Squad:

It is again competitive to get in the Squad - well done to one and all! To keep your place for 2008 be committed, supportive, competitive and catch some fish! There are a number of good anglers only too willing to replace you! It remains very competitive to make the team sheet for each match.

This causes me a problem. Not from picking the team, as you know from last year, I’ve no favourites and I will pick who I think are the best anglers based on practise sessions (wherever possible) and my knowledge of your experience/skills.

The problem stems from the fact that you are all competing for a place in the team, which could restrict information flow.

My aim is to have all 16 anglers equally knowledgeable about tactics etc. For us to do well as a team, I need No 16 angler to be as close to No 1 angler as possible.

First thing we can all do is help ourselves:

(1) Stay at the team accommodation during practise weeks (most discussion about tactics, methods etc takes place in the bar after a meal and a shower). While debriefs immediately after practice days have value, anglers tend to open up more when they’re warm and fed.

(2) Ask questions of each other – there are no daft questions (not strictly true but you know what I mean).

(3) Be confident of your own ability and spill the beans. If you’ve sussed something pass it on (you’re already ahead of the field). This is especially true of the established anglers (you know who you are – be confident enough to share because you’re good enough to make the team).

(4) When you have got the right information use it! (We still have folks who turn up without all the right equipment or bait – don’t be stupid).

(5) We have some expert rig designers and I will be asking those who are excelling to “show and tell” about their rigs. Feeding is always key but difficult to replicate – I’ll be watching for patterns and laziness!

(6) I may pick a squad member (who is doing well in practise) to coach those who are not quite hitting the mark in attempt to bring us all to the same standard. React positively to this – it may be the difference you need to get in the final 10/12.

(7) Decision making is key during a match. Rarely will all-or-nothing be the right team choice – often you will need to fish for good-medium points (and no money) for the team to do well.

(8) You have the match calendar – get it logged at work and home now! Be proactive – keep the Team Manager and I informed of your contact details and unavailability. If you’ve not heard about a match or something then give us a call!

I have been really impressed by the way we tackled last year – we displayed high levels of commitment to each other and team spirit. This was evident especially during the recent Winter League. Team bait was a huge success and something I wish to continue (it ensures that everyone has the right quality, quantity and types of bait). Information flowed freely.

Lat year you all accepted the team selections with good grace. This is important – sulking wont see the decision change.

Gossip is detrimental to squad cohesion. If you have a gripe then please discuss with the Team manger or I – we can’t promise to wave a magic wand but at least the issue is in the open and we can act accordingly. At worst, we’ll be honest!

The squad is operating very well at the moment – we must not rest on our laurels or become complacent! I know from experience it doesn’t take much to rock the boat and for problems to take a hold!

Last year we triumphed in the Overseas Challenge, the Inter-Services, the Team Challenge, the Eurochallenge, the 4-Services, the Old lags and the Jeffries Cup.

Additionally, we were 22nd in the Div 1 (I believe we were good enough for a top 6 place), came 6th in the Eastern Region Shield (from a poor draw), bottom half of the Services Challenge (will do better), and 4th in the Angling Times Winter League (we were not very far off the pace).

The challenge for this year is to improve our results in the civilian competitions!

Congratulations for making the team – now it’s down to you to help make the team!