RAFCAA/COMP/05

12 Jun 05

All Squad Members

RAF SQUAD UPDATE - JUNE 2005

1. With the disappointment of a runner up spot at the Inter-Services firmly on our minds, the Management have recently got together to discuss what lessons we learnt at Porth. Without wishing to make radical changes on the back of just one loss, we highlighted a few strengths and weaknesses in the way we did business that week and as an overall. Firstly, the good points: The Team spirit was quite simply outstanding from sharing info to raving it up large in Newquay. I can quite honestly say that we are now functioning as one unit and that showed itself in the way we carried the loss in the pub afterwards. I truly believe that went there and came home as a Team. This, as you all know is important to me but like all of you I too want to win. So where did we go wrong?
Without looking too deeply into this method vs. that method, we felt that our major stumbling point was a lack of focus in practice. We maybe spent a little too much time picking the Team instead of method finding and maybe we were a little complacent. After all, like us the Army have undergone some radical changes and are know a class act, 8th in the div 1 etc. So what about the future? Well the main thing we need to do is to maximise our practice time. We will spend most if not all of our practice time devoted to method finding, proving and discarding. To that end, team selection will not be based on how far the scales go around at all. We may not even weigh in some practice days!!! Therefore, you will be picked on how well you fish the method that was given to you by the team captain and his deputy. You will see a lot more of them off their boxes from now on so do what is asked of you. Going back to the Team Spirit, remember, we are a team off 22 even if only 12 or so of us fish the big match so you contribution during the practice is still of massive significance to the overall result. Obviously you will disappointed if not selected but lets really get behind each other. Another major concern for the Management is individual availability for practice and matches. As you are all aware, as the RAF shrinks, our work commitments seem to be getting higher and even with the use of leave, something you should not have to use to represent the RAF getting our full team out is nearly impossible. As we have already selected 22 of you from the RAF, we have decided that a new policy is needed to maximise our chances of success at certain competitions. Having spoken to most of you personally before implementing this change, we have decided to introduce partial or limited Pre-Selection on a Match-by-Match basis based on unavailability for STRONG SERVICE REASONS OR INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTAION ONLY (iaw QRs). This means that the Team Captain/Vice Captain can now choose a member of the Squad for inclusion in the final Team if he was unavailable due to an unavoidable Service commitment or if he was representing his County and was unable to attend practice. This will be closely policed with Individuals Section Commanders needing to provide evidence why that individual was not allowed time of work. That individual will also be expected to practice in his own time on the venue if wishing to be selected. The Team Captain/Vice Captain will still announce the Team at the end of the practice sessions and will only include the for mentioned individuals in the final Team if he believes it will undoubtedly strengthen that Team for a particular competition/venue. As I said, this will be on a match-by-match basis and will therefore only be required when availability is a problem. We will be able to easily see if individuals are abusing this system and your future in the squad may be in jeopardy if it is proved that you are doing so. Hopefully this policy will help improve our results as we can now include venue, speciality experts in the team. As I previously said, I have spoken to most of you about this issue so it should come as no surprise. However, if any of you feel strongly opposed to this policy please call me to discuss the matter further.

2. Please find attached an Admin Order for the Div 1 National in Jul. Please let me know ASAP if you are available for the practice and /or match. The plan will be to meet at the Grand Union Canal on Mon 4th Jul 05 at 0800hrs. The Team captain will nominate a meeting place. I do expect all selected anglers and the reserves to stay at RAF Halton on Fri 15th prior to the National on the Sat. This is not a lot to ask!!! The RAFCAA will finance all the practice sessions and the Team challenge and will also provide £320 bait subsidy for the team. I believe the Team Captain is ordering Squatt and caster but he will let you know in due course what you need to bring. Those selected to fish the national will need to provide me with a personal cheque (R Tomala) for £30 to cover your pools, which I have already paid.

3. May I remind all of you that back in Feb, 14 people put there hands up as available for the Euros. I need to book the ferry by the 25 Jun 05 or we will lose the discount and the overall personal contribution will therefore be higher as I only have £800 form the RAFCAA to play with for this event. I therefore need definite availabilities by 22 Jun 05.

4. I must apologise for not ordering the Gortex. I will sort it out his week.

5. Please put your availability and if you want or have sent me an order for gortex overleaf and return via E-Mail or post ASAP.

(Original Signed)

R J TOMALA
Flt Lt
Team Manager