Present: K Armstrong, M Weed, J Hynd, P Maude, F Larg, R Marshall, and G Clark.

Apologies: G Glen, S Clerkin.

I would first of all like to thank all those who attended for a very good and productive meeting, also George for his input. There was a very significant and obvious enthusiastic response to all the subjects breached, with valuable input from those present.

SCOTTISH JUNIOR MATCH

This was discussed in depth with the following agreements.

The match will be held at Clatto Park on the 29^th July 00, the draw will be at 12.30pm with the all in at 14.00pm. The match will last for 4 hrs with prizes for overall winner who will be the Scottish junior champion, keepsakes will be given to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd in the match with a further keepsake for the best under 14 year old. Entry to the event will be open to all juniors between the ages of 12 and 18.

It is intended to gain sponsorship for the event through various tackle shops and companies within Scotland. With the intention of having bait and giveaways for all those attending the match.

We will be publicising the match in local and national press, as well as in tackle shops around the country.

A very lively and interesting discussion, with some controversy as to the way forward, after much debate a base for the future of coaching within the federation was formulated.

Initially there will be entry level coaches possibly attending the courses held by the NFA, or under the instruction of one of the NFA coaches in the north of England. This coach may be able to run the course from Stirling University but this is being looked into. This will give the federation a guide to the way courses are implemented.

Further to this level it was agreed that area or senior coaches would be developed whom the club level coaches could approach for guidance and help when required. A head coach position would also be put in place, which would have to be someone who has a teaching qualification (not necessarily within angling). This person would be the qualified/teaching coach (a teachers’ teacher as such), and would also be involved in bringing to the international coaches attention any members whom showed the aptitude towards angling for Scotland, needless to say that the international coach would have the final say as to validity of that individuals skills.

With this as a basis for a coaching strategy the federation may be able to take this forward and get full accreditation for the coaching scheme, with some of this in place there may be a case to approach sportscotland for funding to have the entry level coaches attend the courses.

These were discussed as a very good option to get clubs onto the net, the opportunities that the web could give a small to large club were agreed to be extensive.

Those present were advised to get information together for both the SFCA site and also to try and gather around 2000 words and some photos to be sent to the anglers net to gain free web space, as the site gets around ½ a million hits each month and that there is only one Scottish club on their site at the moment which is a trout and sea club, this was felt to be a good idea.

There were other thoughts about a junior page on the same site, this is being looked into, and any ideas or information for such a site would be appreciated.

It was felt that with the calendar being as full as it is that the jnr round robin would be put on hold this year, but in principal that it was a good idea and something to try next year.

SPONSORSHIP

As pointed out above under the Scottish jnr and the coaching statements there were various ways to achieve sponsorship for future projects, one not mentioned was the local sports council for the individual clubs to join. They may even provide funding for the entry-level coaches, again to be looked into.

SCOTTISH TEAM MEMBERS

This was discussed and sqcac agreed that there was much to be gained from the support of the team members. Whether for open days, teachins or classroom instruction. The clubs were advised to take full advantage of the offer from George and the use of the Scottish team members.

ATTRACTING JUNIOR MEMBERS

This topic was brought by mike weed and various pointers were given by frank Larg, Richard Marshall and Gordon Clark. Some to the ideas were to start classes for the local juniors and make them free, advertise in the local tackle shops, organise teachins and the possibility of free instruction packs given out either through tackle shops or via open days or club teachins.

All agreed this was an area that should be tackled by all clubs and felt that the only way forward for the sport was to encourage new junior talent.