2008 Christmas Message from the Chairman

It only seems like yesterday that I assumed my appointment but here we are 16 months down the line.  2008 has been an incredibly busy, challenging and exciting year for the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling with many successes to be proud of; ranging from grass roots development through to success on the international stage.

The SFCA has continued its commitment to the growth of angling in Scotland and to work with its partners in the Angling Development Board of Scotland (ADBoS) to ensure that more young Scots have the opportunity to take up fishing and access to professionally trained and licensed coaches.  With assistance from Sport Scotland, and by moving to a joint funding application, the three governing bodies have helped to build a case to secure funding for a Scottish Angling Development Manager.  The Chairman has been working with the Chairmen of SFSA, SANA and Sport Scotland to draft a job description for the post which will be advertised early in the New Year with someone in post by April 09.

We are also continuing to work towards getting sufficient Tutors and Assessors trained in order to deliver the new United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC).  We will hopefully be in a position to deliver the first courses in 2009 so we are now actively seeking to identify suitable individuals who have the desire to become coaches.  If that sounds like you please contact the committee. 

Through the Professional Anglers’ Association (Scotland) and our new Centre of Excellence at the Barony College we have introduced over 600 children to the sport of coarse angling by providing a mixture of classroom based activities and practical angling coaching.  This activity has mainly been confined to the South West but it is hoped, as more coaches become available, to widen to program to other areas across Scotland.

 On the competitive side 2008 has been a hectic year!  Sun 25^th May saw the final of the inaugural Ayrstrike competition which was held at Springwater Fisheries at Dalrymple near Ayr.  Sixteen qualifiers battled it out in difficult conditions to claim the biggest cash prize in Scottish angling history.  The event, hosted jointly by the SFCA and the Liz Hobbs Group as part of the ‘Burns An’ A’ That’ Festival, generated huge interest and with live commentary by ex Great Britain Water Skier Liz Hobbs the final was a very special occasion for competitors and spectators alike.  Daiwa consultant David McAuley from Motherwell lifted the title and walked away with a cheque for £3,000 with 19 year old Mark Lyons from Banknock receiving a cheque for £225 for the heaviest fish.  Qualifying rounds for the 2009 final are already underway.  For your chance to qualify visit www.fishbritain.co.uk\scotland.

7^th June saw the largest ever field for the Junior National Championship which was again held at Magiscroft Fisheries near Cumbernauld with the field being split into under 14s and under 17s.  The under 17s title was won by Gavin Postlethwaite with Sean Mclachlan taking the under 14s title.

August saw Scotland regain the Celtic Cup with an emphatic win over Wales and Ireland at Magiscroft Fisheries, Nr Cumbernauld with 6 of the 7 man team finishing in the top 8, and Jamie Masson winning the competition individually on both days.

The month also proved our strength in depth as Scotland’s Juniors again cemented their position as the strongest Celtic nation by retaining the Celtic Cup for the third year in succession.  An extremely impressive win against Ireland and Wales at Bron Eifion Fisheries near Criccieth in North Wales saw the team return in extremely buoyant mood with a determination to find away to move up to the next level and enter the World Junior Championships.  The Federation now has the challenge of finding ways to raise funds to give these youngsters the opportunity they deserve. 

Consistency is everything in the Scottish league championship and Monklands ‘A’ team proved yet again that they are them most consistent team on the circuit, lifting the team Championship title with a comfortable 11 point margin over Magiscroft ‘A’ in second and Magiscroft ‘Z’ in third.  The victory was all the sweeter with Darrin Ferguson from Motherwell lifting the individual league trophy.

In September the senior squad continued their steady climb up the world rankings finishing 11^th in the World Championships on the Canale Navigable at Spinadesco, near Cremona, Italy.  But for a poor 2^nd day draw the team would undoubtedly have secured a comfortable top 10 position after finishing day 1 in 5^th place ahead of some of the top teams in the world, including hosts Italy.

The 21^st September saw Scottish Internationalist and Monklands man Ewan Weed lift the Individual title in Scottish National Championship on Loch Ken with team JB Angling taking the Team title.

Scotlands newest wheelchair accessible Wheelyboat “Willan Ahoy” was launched on Castle Loch on 30^th October by Fiona Armstrong, ably assisted by Martin Mitchell, fisheries Manager and John Hood, Field Officer for the Wheelyboat Trust.  Also in attendance were Shona Warwick, marketing manager and Donald Paterson, Lecturer, from Barony College, Mark Alton and John Rae from the Professional Anglers Association and Ross Gemmell, Annandale and Eskdale Ranger Service.  The Willan Ahoy is the first wheelyboat on a coarse fishery in Scotland. Fiona Armstrong also did a short news item on the boat and its use, which was aired on Border TV’s evening news.

2008 has also been an immensely busy year for the Chairman and the Executive Committee as they have sought to update and implement all of the Federation’s policies in order to meet its obligations to its members, clubs and Sport Scotland in its capacity as Governing Body.

Having signed up to the 2006 Child Protection Accord at the end of 2007, the Federation has published its Child Protection Policy, developed a plan and begun the process of implementation.  We have updated and published our Equality and Diversity Policy, signed up to UKSport’s Anti Doping guidelines and will shortly publish our anti doping policy.  Finally, in order to ensure that we constantly and effectively review all of our policies and procedures, and continue to deliver the service required by legislation, Sport Scotland and most importantly our members, we have produced a Corporate Governance and Risk Management policy and plan which will be published early in the New Year.

The Federation continues to be actively involved with the Freshwater Fisheries Forum Steering Group and many of its sub committees and working groups.  This year saw the publication of ‘A Strategic Framework for Scottish Freshwater Fisheries’ and, on 1^st August, the introduction of Regulations for the Introduction of Fish into Scottish Freshwater Fisheries.  The Federation has been heavily involved in the drafting of both of these and in fighting strongly to protect the rights of coarse anglers and fishery owners in Scotland, as well as promoting and protecting our sport for the future.  Indeed, the Federation has been given the lead as Steering Group champion for two key Priority for Action Projects; Project 4.1 – Education and Project 4.2 – Junior Coaching.   Anyone wishing to obtain a copy of the Strategic Framework document should contact the Chairman, Gus Brindle at gus@gbmsscotland.fsnet.co.uk.

The Federation received recognition at the highest level in November, when the Chairman was invited to represent the members at a lunch hosted by Her Majesty the Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace.  The Chairman joined seven other invitees from a variety of backgrounds and walks of life and used the opportunity to raise awareness of the growth and development of coarse angling in Scotland, as well as the huge amount of working being done to actively encourage more young people to take up the sport.

In summary an exceptionally busy year which has seen the Executive Committee involved with a multitude of projects and working groups and dealing with external agencies on a weekly basis.  On behalf of all of the members I would like to offer them all our sincere thanks for the tireless effort that they have put in, often at their own expense, to represent all of us and protect our right to coarse fish in Scotland.  2009 is already shaping up to be another challenging one and we will be actively seeking more volunteers who are able to offer some time to get involved with projects and working groups.  If you feel that you may be able to help please contact me.  By the end of I will be publishing the SFCA Business Plan for 2009/10 on the website so that everyone can see what our priorities are for the coming year.  My intention is to try to arrange a meeting with the Executive Committee, Chairmen from all of our member clubs and our Corporate Member to discuss current threats and future direction prior to publishing the plan and I am looking forward to engaging with you all then.

Before I close I would like, on behalf of all of the members, to thank the companies and individuals who have sponsored various events throughout the year.  Dynamite Baits, the Liz Hobbs Group and the Burns Committee for sponsoring the Ayrstrike competition. Sensas for sponsoring the Senior International Squad for the World Championships.  Daiwa and Angler’s Emporium for sponsoring the league and other major competitions and finals.  Magiscroft Fisheries for providing free pegging for the Senior Celtic Cup and along with Fisher Trucks and the Magiscroft Club,  who raised and incredible £700, for sponsoring the Junior International Squad and enabling them to travel to Wales and retain the Junior Celtic Cup.

In closing I would like to wish all of our members, and indeed all coarse anglers in Scotland, a very Merry Christmas and Tight Lines for 2009. 

Gus Brindle

Chairman

Address for correspondence:

The Cottage,
6 The Pleasance
HALBEATH
Fife  KY12 0TT

e-mail:  gus@gbmsscotland.fsnet.co.uk

Telephone: Daytime:   0131 310 4767  Evening:  01383 724768   Mobile:  07812 241816