Hello fellow Fishers and Club Members,

 

At least once during year we send out enough of our Secretarial Jottings so that every member can receive a copy. Other issues we just send a copy to your Club Secretary or NZACA Liaison Officer with the hope that the information therein is past around – and I am sure in most instances it is. Remember to ask to see these if you feel you are not receiving regular information from your national organisation.

 

At this time of the year clubs are asked to renew their affiliations with the national body so I thought it appropriate to mention a few things about the matter of being part of the NZACA.

 

As you are (hopefully) aware the Association has turned 50.  The NZACA was, we maintain, the first of the national groups to be set up and it was established after a bunch of fishers from clubs such as yours met together and decided there was a need for a national body to look after matters which clubs found difficult to do on their own, to give a united voice where needed, to provide interclub activities and generally act as a “parent” body. Here are four of the original principles which are still relevant today :-

 

Ø       To encourage and develop the sports of angling and casting throughout NZ as applied to all forms of fresh and saltwater fishing.

Ø       To help organise and encourage the formation of amateur fishing clubs and associations and to develop the better acquaintance, good fellowship and closer comradeship among amateur fisherpersons.

Ø       To promote the conservation of fish, marine environment and the natural resources of NZ.

Ø       To foster the sport of fishing in NZ.

 

All of these are principles which individuals or clubs would find it difficult to do on their own, but together as a united group they can be achieved.

 

We are often asked “what do I get for my $10 ?”   Really we should be saying “here is my $10 – not much on its own – but together with all other members let it be used to do things I can not do on my own so that my chosen sport, recreational or food gathering activity can be enhanced, protected, secured for future generations and at the same time give me access to catch recognition and the enjoyment of competitive encounters”

Remember that at less than 3c per day it is not a great ask for what is at stake and for what can be gained.

 

Around $2 of your fee goes directly or indirectly to the NZ Rec’ Fishing Council, the officially recognised group representing recreational fishers in this country.  Some people say that they are part of Option4 so why belong to RFC – good to be part of that important group but also need to remember they are not officially recognised and have no legal identity.  By being part of the NZACA there is no need for separate membership by individuals or club of the NZRFC which saves you money (although we do encourage such membership as it helps the finances of the RFC etc). Our Senior Vice President is on the Board of the NZRFC.

 

Some of your fee goes towards our membership of the world body – the IGFA.  This means you have access to the World Records without having to take out separate membership.  A number of members have gained World Records via the NZACA.

 

The NZACA is the NZ representative on the world body for the sport of casting – the International Casting Sport Federation.  We were foundation members of this group and many years ago the world champs were held here in Rotorua.  Casting is now a recognised sport at the World Games. We retain our membership of this group because we feel it is important to do so and who knows one day we may take part again in a world competition. We do have some great casters. A small proportion of your fees are used for this affiliation.

 

We are also members of the lobby groups of Greenpeace and Access NZ, and whilst not necessarily in agreement with everything being done it is important again that we are able to have our say and have input where felt appropriate.  So your fees also used in this.

 

So hopefully you are beginning to see that your fees are being spread far and wide and not just being swallowed up by administration etc.  By being part of the NZACA you are part of a much wider scene.  All of which can have a direct relationship back to you and your fishing.

 

Within the Association itself we have of course our Records, Pins, Certificates and Awards. Unlike other organisations we do not charge for testing your lines when applying for catch recognition. Record applications are also free. 

Some clubs are very active on behalf of their members and feature a lot in the awards etc. which are given out.  Other clubs unfortunately do not encourage their members to the same extent which is a great pity as many good catches are not rewarded and many trophies remain in the box from year to year.  Unfortunately also Juniors are not encouraged enough to send in applications for catch recognition.

                Remember also for most species our Association Records are now the NZ Records.

 

The NZACA is featured in two websites. On both of these sites Clubs can have their own pages and thus show the world what they are up to and encourage membership etc.  Again if clubs had their own sites it would cost them but by being part of the NZACA they have that facility at no extra charge. Look at www.nzaca.co.nz and www.fishing.net.nz. Again unfortunately many clubs are not making good use of this free facility which is a pity.

 

Then we have our interclub competitions. The Postal Casting competition is starting to become more popular as clubs and members realise that club casting days can be a lot of fun, a good in-between season activity, and the handicap system gives everyone a chance of picking up an award.  You don’t have to be a fantastic caster to be part of this, so if you have never given this a go why not give it a try.  If you want to know more – just ask.

                Then we have our annual National Championships. A chance to compete in different parts of the country each year. meet old friends and enjoy great company etc. This year we were of course at New Plymouth, next April we will all be up at Ninety Mile and in April 2009 based in the Coromandel.  I know we have had controversy at times but this is all part of an evolving organisation and we admit we do not always get it right, but together we can make it work for the benefit of all.

 

Another aspect of our competitions scene is our association with our Australian cousins across the ditch.  We are affiliated with the Australian Anglers Association and they are affiliated with us.  This means we are able to take part in each others competitions.  Their National Champs are held every two years and since way back we have had a NZ Team competing over there in different States.  We are now starting to see them come over to ours.  Their next carnival is being held in South Australia in March 2009 and already a number of people have expressed a desire to be part of the NZ Team to go.  If you would like to be included in this please contact the national office.

 

Don’t forget also our comprehensive Members Manual.  Yes I know may of you do not have up-to-date copies but we are presently seeking funding to enable us to do this.  We believe this is an important aspect of the Association and we endeavour to make as little cost as possible to our membership.

 

I hope you are now realising that the NZACA is not just something that is far removed from you – a national group which you just happen to be part of – but something which is yours, something which you can (and should) be active in. I often used the term “your organisation” when referring to the NZACA because that is what it is – yours.  Without you or your club there would no NZACA. It is a democratic cooperative grouping of recreational fishers – not a dictatorial hierarchy set up to govern and tell us what to do.  The NZACA is only as good as those of you, and us, who make up its membership. Sure we have an Executive Committee and Officers etc. but these are elected by you – not ordained from on high. These people are just amateur fishers just like you, human and liable to make mistakes (and hopefully learn from such) trying to do their best on behalf of us all for us all.  However it is a case of united we can do things which separately we can not.

                We issue individual Membership Cards each year to help to give you a sense of belonging and suggest you use these as a means of hopefully securing discounts from your local tackle retailers.  We also give out to all new members (also available for sale at small charge) our waterproof vinyl logo stickers for putting on your vehicles or wherever so as to help publicise the Association.

 

We are currently looking for someone with computer/internet expertise and a flair for journalism to take over the task of editing our Electronic Newsletter “Tidelines” and promote, up-date, expand our websites. Do you have these skills – contact me please.

 

Well we have come to the end of the page and don’t want to add another. Remember your Club Secretary gets regular Newsletters from this Office plus Minutes of Meetings etc. which you are welcome to view. If you would like to be on a direct mailing list just ask and for the cost of postage we will include you. Trust this issue has been of some interest to you.

 

Tight Lines

                                                Graeme Dawber

                                                National Secretary