RAFCAA/COMP/05

20 Mar 05

All Squad Members

RAF SQUAD UPDATE

1. As we approach the start of our summer season campaign, I thought I would take the opportunity to give you an update on Squad matters.

2. Firstly, please note that I have now started work at RAF Leeming and will shortly be moving my family to York. Therefore, if you need to contact me, please use any of the above numbers. When I settle in York, I will be updating the Squad Contact sheet so please make sure all of your personal contact details are correct and inform me of any changes by 7 April.

3. I have also produced a credit card sized contact sheet containing all the managements’ details and will hope to issue these some time in May. (I am currently trying to persuade Reprographics to do them for free!!!).

4. All the planning for our major events is now well underway. In particular, the following are points to note:

a. Inter Services. I can now 100% confirm that this event will take place at Porth Reservoir between 30 May and 2 June. I have spoken to the Navy on several occasions expressing my concerns over the dates but that is what they are going for. We are all accommodated at RAF St Mawgan, which is just 5 minutes away from the venue. Accommodation is available from the Sunday night and I do expect the Squad to meet on the Sunday evening.

b. Division 1 National. Accommodation for the National has been booked at RAF Halton for the duration of the practice. However, a problem exists on the Sunday night prior to the first day of practice. As accommodation is extremely tight that weekend, we may only be able to accommodate those who have travelled very long distances (over 80 miles) on that evening. Therefore, we will forego our traditional meet up on the Sunday and meet at the venue on the Monday morning, timings and locations to follow. All those wishing to utilise the Accommodation on the Sun, please contact Dusty Kiddell with your request.

c. European Military Champs. I can confirm that I have entered a Team of 8 Anglers into this event to be held in the “Mons” area of Belgium between the 20-25 Sep. SHAPE are organising the event and are currently trying to confirm a suitable venue. The likely contender is a canal offset in Ghlin called the Darse du Ghlin. It is about 10-15 minutes from the accommodation and luckily for us, Mike Dalziel has fished it before. I will be paying a non-refundable deposit at the end of this month and will probably book the ferry tickets as well. Therefore, please start thinking of your availability for this event and let me know ASAP.

5. I have received quite a few orders for Gortex and will be placing the final order next week, please let me know immediately if you have not submitted an order and wish to do so.

6. We are currently still in the process of speaking to Browning/Zebco reference a new sponsorship deal. In the mean time, we still have our commitment to the Trabucco so please continue to promote their image wherever possible.

7. We have received a “fair” allocation of funding this year and I will be presenting my financial plan to the RAFCAA Sub-Committee soon for approval. There will still be a requirement for personal contributions but I will try to keep these to a minimum. From next year, I expect our funds to become centralised. Although this will makes things a little harder to manage, it will hopefully mean that we get more funding.

8. Sean as asked me to remind the Squad that we are still actively seeking a replacement for the Strike Cmd Rep and Match Secretary. As you can appreciate, these are 2 very important posts that do need filling. If anyone is interested than please contact either Sean or myself immediately

9. Finally, please keep in touch with any news (good or bad), moans and groans or just for a chat.

(Original Signed)

R J TOMALA
Flt Lt
Team Manager