Minutes of 2001 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Thursday March 29th - Kirkintilloch Miners Welfare Club
The Chair – Ralston McPherson, brought the AGM to order
- Apologies received from; M Rowan (Fife); R Macleod (Monklands), W
Jolly (Monklands)
- Minutes of the 2000 AGM.
Steve Clerkin took the meeting through the minutes of the 2000 AGM. No comments were raised and the minutes were noted and approved as correct. (prop R.Crossan, sec F.Larg)
- Chairman’s Introduction
Ralston spoke on the role of the Federation and the Executive Committee members who were continuing to support several key forums i.e. (Angling for Change, Trusts and Charities). He pointed out that the growing number of challenges we are engaged in was largely due to our success in getting the SFCA profile onto the Scottish Executive (etc) agenda. It is also worth noting that this major workload is being addressed by a limited number of contributors – something we have to address. He moved on to invite the EC members to make their reports.
- Secretaries Report 2001:
Foot and Mouth Latest – latest positions as of 26.3.01 - Treasurers Report:
Peter Mitchell advised the meeting of our most recent financial position. The accounts have been audited and were recorded as correct. SC was asked to forward an audited copy to SportScotland (pro A. Morrison, sec D.Corcoran)
- Policy Liaison Officers Report:
Ron Woods summarised the events surrounding the SERAD consultation paper Protecting and Promoting which had been issued a few weeks after last year’s AGM. In addition to providing substantial input to the extensive Angling for Change submission, the Committee had developed a comprehensive SFCA response in consultation with member clubs, which welcomed some of the proposals and flagged up in considerable detail our significant concerns in respect of others. This had been followed by a questionnaire from SERAD to member clubs asking for replies on certain specific questions, and again we had been able to offer suggestions as to the line which would be most helpful to the SFCA cause. Ron expressed his thanks to all who contributed.
- Coaching & Development Officers Report
from Ken Armstrong
- Team Managers Report
- Lottery Sports Funds did not approve the individual applications from Scotland team members.
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Rab Crossan decided to stand down as a team member after many years of competing, to take on a different role as acting team captain and coach.
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The 6-Nations event replaced the Home International and raised the competition to a new level with the introduction of France and Belgium
- Match Secretary’s Report
Unfortunately Willie Jolly could not attend to give a full report to due the imminent birth of a baby. We all wish him and his partner well. The committee thanked Willie for his great efforts in his efficient running of a successful domestic match program that was enjoyed by all the competitors
- Fish Recorders Report
Ralston has received two claims this year. Both are for Tench.
- Election of Officers
The list of officers due to retire, were voted and elected as follows -
Office Nominee Proposed Seconded Term --------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ---------- Chairman R.Macpherson N.Foulds F.Larg 2 yrs Secretary S.Clerkin D.Corcoran P.Gould 3 yrs Fish Recorder P.Gould D.Lloyd A.Morrison 2 yrs Coach / Youth Officer K.Armstrong N.Foulds D.Wise 2 yrs Policy Officer R.Woods R.Crossan N.Foulds 2 yrs Int Team Mgr G.Glen R.Crossan F.Larg 2 yrs Match Secretary C.Paton F.Larg D.Corcoran 2 yrs - Notices of Motion: Two proposals had been forwarded by Central
Scotland CAC:
Proposal 1 – "That there be written into the constitution an agreed criteria for the selection of National Team members".
It was noted that the March 2001 Match Secretaries Meeting had also debated this same issue and had formulated the following statement:
"Team members must comply with the following criteria -
1) Born in Scotland.
Or
2) Born elsewhere with one or two Scottish parents.
Or
3) Resident in Scotland from the age of 12 or earlier with continuous residency up until the point of selection.Only anglers who are fully paid up members belonging to an SFCA member club or association can be selected.
Once an angler has fished under the colours of another country he/she cannot represent Scotland.
Competitors must be in a position to prove their compliance with the above criteria if asked by the SFCA."
The original CSCAC proposal was amended in line with the above text, which accommodates both the European and World Championships requirements. The chairman offered this to the meeting as an item on which to vote for constitutional inclusion – this was accepted by all clubs. The subsequent vote was a unanimous acceptance. The constitution update would be completed and circulated to all clubs by SC in due course.
Proposal 2 – "That a match committee be formed, comprising of one delegate from each member club".
It was felt that the existing constitution already permitted the scope for this proposal and as such, no amendment was required. After some debate, the proposal was withdrawn. An alternative approach was agreed to address the issue raised. Chris Paton (new match secretary) agreed to hold an early Match Secretaries meeting to resolve what was perceived as a need to improve communication on match matters.
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AOB
George noted that the SFCA website was seeing 60-100 hits a day (and climbing)
This important medium would continue to be developed through the year and was sure to be a significant resource and information source for the Federation members and clubs.
Ralston encouraged the meeting to consider "recruiting" good club committee’s, this being aimed at generating the necessary experience for future Federation Committee members to come through. He also welcomed the idea of a Vice Chair, this was something he would look at during the year and may well appear as a proposal in 2002.
Ron Woods announced that the Carp Group were close to purchasing stock fish for their club waters – he invited interested clubs to contact him as there may be an opportunity for transport cost sharing should other clubs be considering the same.
No other issues were brought forward and the chairman closed what had clearly been an excellent and well-supported AGM.
Dumfries and Galloway...... Loch Ken is inside the "officially affected zone" (SERAD). Advice to anglers is: fish from the roadside - DO NOT CROSS FIELDS UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
British Waterways – closed to Navigation... Urban fishing and commuting is ok.
Scottish Executive - latest on their website - they are collecting data on disruption. We've completed some of their requests for information, all of which will be published at a later date- "just use common sense" is their advice on access.
SERAD - comeback code released – copies circulated
SFCA – thanks for all the sensitivity and common sense approach. We need to just weather this out and make sure we prevent anyone crossing the line – we've regained loads of respect as an organisation recently – it’s easy to lose it.
Exec Committee has continued representing the Federation on the following forums: AFC, Protection Orders, Loch Lomond Trust, Clyde Trust, Forth Fisheries Foundation, Loch Awe, Scottish Sports Association, SportScotland (who we thank for their continued support and grant aid). Continued our SSA membership - strong links with training as well as youth protection advice.....
Federation role is now well and truly established as a major representative Angling body... AFC has predominantly given us this platform.... however, SERAD, Scottish Natural Heritage, Scotland wide Councils, other Angling organisations, now include us and seek out our views and opinions. To steal one of Ralstons one-liners – we're punching way above our weight.
European Council Declarations... In 1998, the EC witnessed the huge disparity between different nations (and in certain cases at the club level) in terms of sporting performance. It established a committee to review and report on equality and roles in sport. The result of this work is summarised in the subsequent "Declaration on the specific characteristics of sport and its social function in Europe, of which account should be taken in implementing common policies"...... one thing we can be sure of - the SSA and SportScotland (amongst others at the SE) will quietly working away seeing how best they can work this into policies and eventual legislation.
Canal Latest:
Forth & Clyde : Opening ceremony is the 26th May at Loch 16. TV coverage, boats, fayres, stuff... This marks the completion of the linkage between the Carron Cut / Estuary, Falkirk and Bowling in Glasgow.
F&C Dredging is 95% complete... 100% by May. Last work is at Maryhill.
Union: Target completion date is July 2002. So far it is 90% navigable. Edinburgh basin out to Wester Hailes is now open. Break for about 1 mile then open all the way to Falkirk. All open sections have been dredged to 4 foot – new weed cutter for the pondweed is in place. A little worried due their own navigation ban – pondweed is expected to take hold.
Contaminated section (east of Falkirk) is well on track for completion by end of May – wet recovery method used so far – however this is not working well. Plan is to drain and redredge entire section
Fish rescues to date (5 in total)….... F&C A80 Castlecary : Feb2000 – Nearly 500 fish ; F&C Bonnybridge Aug 2000 (50m stretch) 160 ; F&C Falkirk – Aug 2000 – 120 Electro fished but then 1000 netted ; Union – Sep2000 – Falkirk – near wheel site (75 m stretch) 60 after major dredging though ; Union – Dec2000 – Wester Hailles – virtually 0 fish – tiny perch and roach only
Falkirk Millennium Wheel – first turn due in Dec 2001
Enhanced maintenance programme – Canal classification has changed – now has to be navigable and as opposed to sound...F&C now has 4 permanent maintenance crews, Union has 3 – weed cutting, dredging, soundings, shopping trolley collection, levels, continuous maintenance, etc... all year round plan in place.
Boats... a licensing pack is available already from Donna Allan at the Glasgow office
I'd like to close with 3 interesting facts:
Interesting fact 1 - check out the Federation website - it must be one of the best sites around. George has done a great job here - you never know, we might have Fishery data on here soon... shop information... record fish pics or whatever. Let us know what you want to see…
Interesting fact 2 – the Union loses 2 million gallons a day through seepage alone
Interesting fact 3 – BW are VERY keen to engage with the Federation and its anglers. Why? They have had a change in stance as far as the canal is concerned. Between BW and the team at FW Lab at Stirling, they are to undertake a full study of the canal populations in order to understand what the ecological changes the opening will have due to turbidity, movement and colour has on existing stocks. They also plan to work out what the "carrying capacity" is and how solid the food chain is for this. Bottom line – they want the canal to be used by as many people as possible – including anglers. They accept that to achieve this – they need to make the sport attractive and worth our while. They have expressly asked us to help them understand what our requirements are.... they want to look at fish nursery areas, specimen populations, match requirements, etc. The final outcome is – if restocking is required – they will seriously look at how this could be financed and justified. Nothing is off the table. So we need to start working very steadily with BW. The message has got to get out to our anglers that this is a two sided deal – stop littering – look after the place and be respectful to other waterway/towpath users. We're going to develop a feedback form for BW – i.e. match data as well as pleasure angler’s info on catches throughout the next year. They've asked us to act as a reference point for this data for a couple of reasons (1. to keep a single point of contact going and 2. to run a sanity check over the data...understandable)
In the course of the year it had become apparent that our efforts to increase our profile were meeting with some success. Coarse fishing representatives had been welcomed on the Board of the newly formed Loch Lomond Fisheries Trust. We received support and assistance from Andrew Wallace of the Association of West Coast Fisheries Trusts to get a similar toehold in the emerging Forth Fisheries Trust, and have been asked to nominate a representative for the Fisheries Trust which is about to be formed in Lochaber.
Ron explained that the Angling for Change initiative was about to enter a new phase as a Green Paper on Scotland’s fisheries legislation is expected in the summer. Ron will be among AfC representatives who will be hosting a meeting with fisheries minister Rhona Brankin at Loch Awe in April to explain their proposals, and once the Green Paper is published will be in the thick of the consultation process, both from AfC and SFCA. This will be an absolutely crucial time for the future of Scottish coarse fishing. Even more than with Protecting & Promoting it’s vital not only that every club contributes to our "corporate" response to the Green Paper, but also that we maximise the number of individual clubs’ responses so that we can show the depth of feeling among coarse anglers on these issues. Ron asked member clubs to be prepared to take part in internal discussions, and to make every effort to assemble and submit consistent responses when the time comes.
Scottish Junior Championships
The Scottish junior championships were held at Clatto Park on the 29th July 00. There was a great attendance from the juniors a total of 13 fished with only one blank net; the winning weight was 1kg 670gms by Jamie Hutchinson of SQCAC.
This year the match will be held by CSCAC probably on the river Forth. But still to be confirmed by Central.
Coaching and youth policy
You all now have copies of the first policy which will be subject to changes fairly soon as a result of new information which has come to hand recently. The policy has been established by consensus of the member clubs representing what each club wishes the way forward for the future of coaching and youth development.
Child protection policy
This policy will be started in earnest and passed to all clubs hopefully by the middle of the year, each club should also be aware that by law there will be a requirement for them to hold such a policy, I would imagine that if each club had a representative on the sub committee then each club would be able to adjust the SFCA policy to match their needs and situations. The policy will show to those wishing to join member clubs that they take the situation of child protection seriously.
SCRO checks
All individuals, who have sole/considerable charge of children or vulnerable adults, will require SCRO checks. The Scottish executive is expected to make an announcement within the next three months about the charges for these checks. Governing bodies will be responsible for the checks of its members but the clubs will also be responsible for passing those checks on to the governing bodies.
Potential coaches
A letter was distributed about the nominations from member clubs for potential coaches. The development sub committee will request a SCRO check for each nominee. Once that check has been returned the successful nominees will then be contacted. Only at this point will we then put forward an application for funding probably from "awards for all" lottery fund. The application will include travelling expenses and course costs for each potential coach.
Round robin
There will be a round robin held this year for the juniors, four matches held as an individual league, with each club entering juniors applicable to select a venue. Angus ac, Central ac and sqcac have already advised of entrants and the fourth venue will be of neutral choice unless there is another club entering juniors. Age limit is under 18 years at start of series.
Thanks
My thanks must go to all those who have assisted me on the development committee and also in the staging of the Scottish junior championships this last year. The progress could not have been made without those people who put in so much effort and time to ensure things have gone smoothly. I anticipate your assistance next year.
George Glen reported on a year of poor results overall with some key happenings that completely changed the way we approached the matches from what we had planned –
We did learn more about the relative strengths and weaknesses of the anglers available, not all negative, there were a number of good individual performances without setting the world alight. Relative newcomers like John Callaghan and Ewan Weed showed promise. We will continue to make team changes in 2001.
In the Team Captain role Rab Crossan will get stronger and more effective in future years so in the longer term we will gain rather than lose out from this change. Again team organisation was excellent, teamwork was very good and all of the difficult logistics worked out smoothly.
Results –
European Championships - River Trent, Nottingham, England - 24/25 June
Team Result - 17th from 21 teams, Individuals – Jimmy Fullerton 27th from 100
6-Nations Championships - River Bann, Portglenone, N. Ireland : 12/13 July
Team Result –4th on Day 1 beating France & Belgium, 5th after Day 2 beating Belgium overall. Wales 1st, England 2nd, France 3rd, Ireland 4th
Individuals – George Glen 14th from 36, John Callaghan - section win
John Smith's Team Championships - R. Avon, Evesham, England - 27 August
Team Result – 14th from 18 teams
World Championships - River Arno, Florence, Italy : 9/10 September
Team Result – 22nd from 33 teams
Individuals – Stephen McCaveny 52nd and Davie Corcoran 54th from 190, George Glen 6th in section Day2
Plans for 2001
The proposed approach for 2000 is to improve results by concentrating on 2 events only, the 6-Nations and World Championships. The European Championships is in Bulgaria and is too much to take-on with scarce resources. The John Smith’s event is no more. The 2001 competitions are -
6-Nations International - Venue TBD, Wales : 11/12 August
World Championships - River Seine, Paris, France : 15/16 September
Thanks
George expressed the thanks of the team and the SFCA to our generous sponsors – Daiwa, Sensas and Halkon-Hunt. Thanks also to Boulevard Hire Drive of Drumchapel, Glasgow for an excellent deal on the van hire for World Championships.
Rab Crossan, Willie Jolly, Ewan Weed, Dave McAulay and Ian Whitson played key roles in supporting the team and we are very grateful for their contribution.
The ratification process is still ongoing and neither fish has been recorded as the new record at the time of the AGM. Further enquiries are to be undertaken.
After Meeting notes:
Angus Dragons circulated copies of their Child Protection Policy and procedures as a reference document for other clubs.
Rab Crossan intended to bring up the issue of Fund Raising during the AGM. His ideas were to look into at least 2 options. a): Introduce Individual Federation membership fees next year, The idea being to raise more this way than via club fee’s; and b): Consider individual donations as being a source of generating much needed cash. He started the ball rolling by donating £10 to the Federation. SC agreed to raise this at the next EC meeting.
Regards
Steve Clerkin
Sec SFCA