The Federation of Welsh
Anglers

BUSINESS PLAN
FRAMEWORK 2009 - 2012

1

Executive Summary

Angling, with up to four million participants, rates amongst the United Kingdom’s most
popular sporting pastimes, with great social, economic and environmental benefits for
the nation. It is an activity which is both affordable and accessible, offering no barriers
to entry in terms of age, gender, ethnicity or disability, and can be enjoyed at all skill
levels, from beginner to the highest levels of international competition. Angling is
certainly a sport which relates very positively to many of Welsh Assembly
Government’s ‘Climbing Higher’ objectives, particularly that of maximising the synergy
between sport, physical activity and the natural environment, it provides for all sectors
of society an absorbing and healthy opportunity to participate in an outdoor activity.
Owing to our large participation base, appeal and access to all sectors of society and
age groups, the Federation of Welsh Anglers is ideally situated to contribute to the
attainment of both the ‘Climbing Higher’ objectives and the complimentary objectives of
the Environment Agency whose strategy for angling  ‘Angling in 2015’ aims to attract
more people into fishing.
As the umbrella body for angling in Wales, in order to achieve success and fulfil our
stated objectives, in this Whole Sport Plan we have outlined a programme for
development which is demanding in terms of stated goals and time-scale. There will be
indicators of success, not least in how the FWA grows its profile and achieves
recognition, both within and outside angling circles, and through the success of our
teams in international competition, for example. 
The data we collect in relation to role, in particular regarding our angling development
initiatives and our competition performance at international level, will be important
measures of success, most notably those which will stand up to audit and can be
justifiably adjudged as key performance indicators (KPIs), providing evidence to our
success in benefiting the sport and in increasing angling participation, perhaps the
most pertinent of these being:

·    Evidence of increase in annual fishing rod licence sales across all categories,
(obviously other factors impinge but FWA angling development contributes) to
the achievement of targets)
·    Evidence of annual increase in numbers experiencing angling through FWA and
EA/FWA angling participation events, (achieving at least EA targets)
·    Evidence of increase in club membership over the course of this plan. (NGB
returns for SCW)
·    Our coach development statistics and uptake of UKCC, when introduced from
2009
·    Performance results at all levels in international competition

 

Evidence of success in relation to these simple KPIs will provide a strong indication as
to the ultimate success of the FWA in achieving its stated objectives over the course of
this development plan, by the end of which we would envisage having achieved:

·     An efficient and effective governance structure with similarly efficient and
effective lines of communication. 
·     Consolidation as the umbrella body for the three national governing bodies for
recreational angling in Wales, with increased funding streams facilitating both security and development and an improved sense of ownership amongst our
NGBs.
·     Improved support for our NGBs and member clubs, providing a wider range of
services and opportunities for anglers
·     Strengthening of co-operation with our key stakeholders and establishment of
links with other key groups for the betterment of angling and facilitating our
own objectives. 
·     An increase in angling participation at all levels and increased retention to
angling
·     More opportunities for anglers from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race,
gender or ethnicity, emphasizing equality of opportunity for all.
·     Positive impact on communities and the Criminal Justice system by a
reduction in negative behaviours where angling has been introduced into
communities.
·     A coaching structure able to support all anglers from beginners to international
competitors and catering for the needs of our coaches from those at volunteer
level to those requiring a career pathway.

·          Improvement on our successes in recent years in international competition

Introduction

In establishing the Federation of Welsh Anglers in 2005, (Fig. 1), the Welsh Federation
of Sea Anglers, the Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers and the Welsh Salmon and
Trout Angling Association registered their intention to work together to promote,
develop and safeguard the sport for the benefit of the whole of angling in Wales Having
first established ourselves, this new planning framework outlines the next stage in
development, moving the Federation forward as an organisation with the aim of

achieving the shared vision and objectives set  by its constituent bodies

VISION
Working together in unity for the
betterment of angling in Wales by
improving opportunities through the club
network, increasing participation and
raising performance.

Background

Angling sub-divides into three very distinct disciplines. These are defined by the
species of fish being targeted and the angling methods used. The three sub-divisions
are freshwater angling,(coarse fishing), marine (sea fishing) and salmonid (game
fishing). Since their inception each discipline has developed in a different way under
the direction of its own governing body.
The Welsh Federation of Sea Anglers (WFSA) was formed in 1955 to promote sea
fishing and protect its members interests, the Welsh Federation of Coarse Anglers was
formed in
to promote and protect freshwater angling and similarly for game angling the Welsh
Salmon and Trout Angling Association was constituted in 1951. Each organisation has
developed as club-based organisations with some additional individual members and
all have a regional branch structure, these regions operating with varying degrees of
success in respect of each NGB.
For many years each of the three organisations received a relatively small grant from
Sports Council Wales in recognition of the work they were doing as governing bodies
for their respective disciplines, each NGB using the bulk of their funding to support
international teams. A change to this arrangement was brought about, Sports Council
Wales, determined each multi-disciplined sport should to establish a single
representative body, hence, the WFSA, WFCA and WSTAA formed the Federation of
Welsh Anglers, a move which was supported by Environment Agency Wales, who
regarded the formation of the umbrella body desirable as a focal point for
communication and to receive funding.
The Federation of Welsh Anglers was thus formed in 2005, to form a single point of
contact between Sports Council Wales and the sport of angling. The FWA received
joint funding from SCW and Environment Agency Wales to facilitate its establishment,
(Fig. 2), however, NGBs still annually submitted three separate plans on the same
template for their allocation of the share of SCW funding, these were submitted
together with a another application from FWA to access its allocated funding,
particularly in regards to staffing and coach development.
There was obviously a need for commonality and consistency in planning and also,
planning over a longer term than one year. Having now established and having
satisfied SCW, through external audit and SCWs own ‘Self-Assurance’ process, that
the new organisation is fit for purpose, SCW has requested the FWA produce a long-
term plan, encompassing the next four years and which, if accepted, will not just plot
the 
way forward with an united approach for angling but provide an element of funding
security, essential if the FWA is to achieve its aims.
Angling is one of the larger sports, but as it is not an Olympic sport, traditionally, it has
not received funding anywhere near commensurate with its size. The potential for
angling development is huge and to reflect this our planning needs to be aspirational,
however, there is a danger of a funding shortfall between the amount needed to
finance our plans and the grant allocation awarded, therefore the requirement for the
FWA to seek additional funding sources, either through self-finance or through external
means.

In the past three years, the Federation, with funding support from both Sports Council
Wales and Environment Agency Wales, has achieved the majority of its original
objectives as well as a few which were identified in the course of development, notably:

·    Established and recognised as the umbrella body for angling in Wales.

·    Established an administrative centre, which, besides undertaking its FWA
responsibilities, also serves as a focus for communication and a source for
information on angling related issues.

·    Established the FWA web-site

·    Produced the first joint angling development plan on behalf of the three NGBs.

·    Provided support for NGBs on issues of governance. 

·    Established links and liaison with related angling counterparts in England and
Scotland, in addition to establishing links with other salient organisations.

·    Established working rapport with Government and Government organisations

·    Gained representation on appropriate national groups in order to ascertain
position with regard to angling development in the UK and ensure Welsh issues
are considered.

·    Established the Federation of Welsh Anglers Coaching Foundation, which
through its regional panels has provided an effective structure for coach training
and delivery of angling participation opportunities within Wales

·    Formed working partnership with Angling Development Boards of England and
Scotland to develop UKCC National Angling Coaching qualification

·    During this period our international teams have experienced success at all
levels and across all disciplines, including our sea anglers becoming World
Champions. 

 

FWA Executive Committee Composition:

1 x Principal Officer from each NGB, i.e., chair, treasurer, secretary
2 x representatives from each NBG
1 x  SCW representative (non-voting)
1 x  EAW representative (non-voting)
*This structure will be amended during the course of this development plan as the FWA
progresses to become a company limited by guarantee.
The FWA has been structured to enable the respective NGBs to work together, united
under the umbrella of the FWA whilst retaining their individual identities, enabling them
to undertake their own discipline specific requirements yet accede to the demands of
SCW and other organisations for a central point of contact. With equal representation,
they work together under a single constitutional body, in unity, on whole of angling
issues for the benefit of all.

The second phase in the development of the Federation will centre around three key
goals, these being:
1.  to establish strong governance
2.  to increase participation in the sport of angling
3.  to raise standards  

Goals and Requirements

Provide effective sports governance by:
·    Ensuring FWA upholds highest standards of governance and administration,
complying with audit recommendations and monitoring its own progress,
utilising recognised monitoring and evaluation procedures, e.g., SCWs Self-
Assurance process.
·    Providing advisory governance support for NGBs, ensuring compliance with
constitutions, provision of common, up-to-date, policies, plus access to training,
where necessary.

·    Offering a similar service to clubs, encouraging NGBs to cascade such
information to member clubs, thus endeavoring to achieve a common approach
to governance across and within NGBs 

·    Ensuring, through consultation and co-ordination, adherence to SCWs  planning
and related requirements.. 

Desired Outcomes
·    FWA compliant with all governance requirements
·    FWA satisfies requirements of stakeholder funders/ potential funders, including
those of SCW for its funded sports bodies

·    FWA is able to provide a high standard of service for its NGBs, NGB clubs  and 
individual members.

·    The organization to solidifies its NGBs unified approach to angling as a whole
through the FWA as the umbrella body..

·    FWA enabled to engage other related groups and professionals.
·    Suited to modern-day requirements for a funded organization employing staff.
·    Offers protection to officers regarding liability.

 

Promote the FWA, its organization and purpose by:
·    Raising the profile and awareness of FWA as a national organization through
cultivating media contacts, regular press releases, etc.

·    Continuing to establish links with government and government organizations, 
other organizations, other angling bodies and businesses.

·    Participation in and organisation of high profile events and attendance at salient
shows, e.g., National Fishing Week - Cardiff Bay, Royal Welsh Show, angling
competitions.

·    Advertising through media and utilizing our own promotional materials, e.g.
banners, display stands, leaflets.

·    Maximizing potential of website as a vehicle for promotion and communication
for FWA 

Desired Outcomes
·    FWA is widely recognised as the umbrella body for recreational angling in
Wales
·    The general fishing public of Wales is aware of the existence and purpose of
the FWA 

·    Communication between FWA and other organizations is effective. 

Develop existing income streams and seek further revenue
sources.

The FWA recognizes the need to improve the income angling in Wales receives at all
levels, to enable the sport to move towards financial independence and to lessen its
dependency on its principal funders, namely Sports Council Wales and Environment
Agency Wales. This is not to suggest any lessening in effort to retain and even
increase such funding, however, to ensure a sustainable future the Federation must
become more pro-active in this area.
The Federation can achieve this through becoming more commercially active by:

·    Effective promotion of its newly established membership scheme.
·    Enlarging its business affiliate membership
·    Develop range of FWA merchandise and promotional material and increase
sales of such items

·    Develop media strands that will generate income – terrestrial and satellite
television, radio and the sport and leisure-specific press;

·    Seek sponsorship, e.g., for major participation events.
·    Encouraging all of those involved in the delivery of angling to seek sport specific
and non-sport sources of income to provide wider access to angling activities.
Such funds could be sought from:
o  Local Authorities – where angling activities impact on the local community,
in particular, coaching development initiatives;
o  Education – where angling activities are promoted through school-based
initiatives.
o  The Police – where projects impact on crime reduction; Local Health
Authorities 
o  Tourist and Leisure interests where angling contributes to the economy of
the locality. 
o  Other organisations which are able to generate funds that help all parties
achieve the common aims of angling, through partnership projects, for
example.
o  Application to funding bodies such as the National Lottery

Desired Outcomes
·    FWA is able to demonstrate annual increase in ‘self-generated’ funding
·    FWA becomes less reliant on funding from principal stakeholders
·    FWA NGBs able to accrue benefit from FWA initiatives

 

Strengthen and develop key partnerships that collectively will
enhance our objectives for a unified approach for angling
participation and provide additional funding streams for the sport

The importance of developing key partnerships cannot be overestimated, the FWA will
seek to work with key partners to develop and strengthen the sport of angling. We
recognize that the influence, expertise and resources of our partners are vital
components to our achieving our objectives. Such partnerships can only enhance and
benefit our sport.
The Environment Agency with its remit to increase angling participation is a key body
with whom we work collaboratively. The EA has a statutory role within angling and
fisheries.

·    The FWA recognizes the influence and resources of the EA in developing
angling and increasing angling participation.

·    The FWA will actively collaborate with the EA to identify and exploit
opportunities to work in partnership for the betterment of angling.

·    The FWA recognises the delivery of angling at a local level is a vital part of its
operational outcomes and, as such, we acknowledge the EA role as a facilitator
in this area and recognise the need to work together to expand local initiatives.
Similarly, Sports Council Wales, in addition to funding, provides a wide range of
guidance, support and expertise enabling its sports, angling included, to develop to
reach their potential.

·    The FWA recognises the role played by Sports Council Wales in the effective
development and governance of sport in Wales.
·    The FWA recognises the need to work co-operatively with SCW to enable both
organizations to achieve their goals.
·    The FWA acknowledges the role of SCW in guiding and supporting its coach
development programme, particularly in respect of the roll out of the UKCC
National Angling Coaching Qualification.
(Several other key organizations and potential ‘partners’ whose expertise and influence
are recognized as being valuable to the FWA and whose resources and ability to
facilitate angling administration and participation are critical to the successful delivery
of this development plan are listed in the addenda)

Desired Outcomes
·    FWA retains support and acquires essential funding for its continued
development and its angling development initiatives.

Increase support for our club infrastructure 

In Wales, as elsewhere, there is no compulsion for any individual to become a member
of a club to participate in sport or for any club to be a member of a governing body. In
respect of angling, recent years have shown a marked growth in the commercial sector with the opening up of commercial fisheries across the country attracting anglers, often
to the detriment of established clubs, nevertheless, club membership has remained
strong and a large number of anglers belong to clubs which are members of our
National Governing Bodies for sea, game and coarse fishing respectively.
The  FWA  wishes  to  encourage  a  growth  in  club  membership,  again  in  keeping  with
WAG’s  vision,  thus  strengthening  our NGBs  and the  position  of  angling  within  sport’s
hierarchy.  We  aim  to  develop  our  services  for  the  benefit  of  our  NGBs  and  their
member  clubs  endeavouring  to  make  club  membership  an  attractive  and,  preferably,
automatic choice for anglers. We will need to:
Support clubs with volunteer training and development
·  Assist clubs to recruit volunteers to undertake coach training with the aim that
every club will have at least one licensed angling.
·  Provide  opportunities  for  the  training  of  sufficient  coach  assistants  to  support
club coaches.

·  Provide a facility whereby child protection requirements are enabled.
·  Identify training courses/requirements, (e.g., First-Aid), and source delivery.
·  Identify sources of funding available for club development   
·  Commit  to  offering  continuous  professional  development  to  all  coaches  and
assistants.
Assist with matters of governance

·       Make  available  advice  on  matters  of  governance,  encouraging  correct
procedure and commonality between clubs and NGBs
·  Make  available  core  policies  essential  to  NGB  and  club  activities,  satisfying
current legislative requirements, e.g., child protection
·  Advise  on  process  of making  transition  from  committee  to  company,  again  in
line with current direction.

Increase club membership
The FWA recognizes that, although club membership is still strong, most anglers do
not belong to clubs and, correspondingly, neither do they belong to NGBs, the FWA in
devising its membership scheme, will encourage ‘new’ clubs to affiliate to the NGB to
which their discipline relates and, similarly, will encourage individual members to join
an angling club within their vicinity, thus boosting both club and NGB membership.
Many clubs faced with reducing membership are fearful of investing for the future, yet
those clubs with realistic development plans and aspirations are those which have
demonstrated significant growth in membership numbers. We aim to support NGB
clubs keen on producing development plans/ideas, which will lead to the club
producing a stronger membership base within their local community and particularly
encourage clubs to promote themselves to the younger element by establishing junior
sections, for example.
We will assist by:

·  Providing support and guidance to clubs 
·  Identifying clubs which have achieved such success and can be exhibited as
examples of best practice.
·  Helping clubs promote their facilities and events through the FWA
·  Promote angling taster sessions to give potential new members, particularly
young people, an angling experience and expose them to the facilities and
opportunities available at the club.
·  Encourage clubs to establish junior sections which offer coaching and
competitions for young anglers.

Desired Outcomes
·    Data we collect from NGBs on club membership display annual increase in
membership of clubs

·    Data also shows annual increase in clubs joining NGBs through FWA
assistance/promotional activities.

Continue to develop our successful angling participation
programme aimed at bringing more people into the sport.

Our strategy for angling participation is underpinned by a set of unique factors:

·    Angling is socially inclusive

·    Angling has no age barriers

·    Angling is a favoured activity for people suffering from a wide range of
physical and sensory disabilities.

·    Angling caters for all skill levels corresponds to a variety of levels of physical
activity, the choice of the participator.

·    Angling is a proven tool in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour
amongst young people.

·    Angling is the only sport that raises government revenue through a direct
licensing system

·    Angling is an educational vehicle for promoting awareness of environmental
and conservation issues.

These unique factors have attracted generations of people to angling, however, a
changing society offering a range of easily accessible leisure- time activities has meant
that some of the more traditional routes to the sport has been lost, the computer age, for example, has created an indoor life-style whereby fewer young people explore the
great outdoors, almost automatically venturing into angling as in the past.   

To attract more people into the sport all three disciplines have acknowledged the need
to  be  more  pro-active  in  the  promotion  of  angling  activities.  The  FWA  established  its
Coaching Foundation, representative of each discipline and in close co-operation with
EAWales, with the aim of increasing angling participation by increasing the number of
angling coaches, acceding to child safety requirements and assisting with delivery on
the  EA’s    angling  participation  requirements  which  has  been  achieved  with  much
success. In 2007 the Environment Agency experienced its greatest regional increase in
rod  licence  sales  in  Wales,  with  an  increase  of  some  thirteen  point  five  per-cent  for
young  people  and  nine  point  six  percent  overall,  the  FWA  is  not  without  credit  in
assisting EAWales with this increase.

A  key  aim  of  the  FWA,  besides  continuing  its  progress  in  respect  of  the  above,  is  to
further develop and strengthen our angling participation activities, through establishing
links and working in partnership, where possible, with other salient organisations.

We will need to:

·  Continue building upon  our present angling participation programme based on
our Regional Coaching Panels  and working co-operatively with WA Wales.

·  Identify  and  engage  with  such  salient  organisations,  local  authorities,  schools,
Get  Hooked  on  Fishing,  Young  Peoples  Clubs  of  Wales,  Inclusion  through
Angling, Scouts, Police, probation Service, etc. 

·   Access  available  funding  to  facilitate  FWA  coach  involvement  in  partnership
projects.

·  Provide  a  programme  of  structured  input  into  schools,  emphasizing  angling’s
benefits and raising environmental awareness.

·  Encourage more people from these respective organizations to become angling
coaches.

·  Increase the numbers of clubs promoting angling as an activity for young peole.  

Desired Outcomes

·   Increase  by  5%  annually  our  number  of  introductions  to  people  wishing  to  try
fishing.

·   Expand our activities to working with a range of partners.

·   Access more funding and train more coaches to facilitate this expansion

·   Target  and  monitor  increased  angling  participation  amongst  certain  social
groups,  namely,  the  young;  the  ‘grey  market’  (>  45s);  women  and  girls,  the
disabled; ethnic minorities. 

Continue to develop our coaching structure and raise standards in
coaching (Ref. Addenda 3)

In order to enable the above and maximize our angling participation programme it will
be necessary to increase the number of available coaches across the three disciplines
and encourage retention of the present coaching pool. The EA has set a target of two
thousand  angling  coaches  throughout  England  and  Wales  by  2015,  proportionately
Wales would require a minimum of one hundred and thirty to achieve EA targets. We
envisage  significantly  more  active  coaches  would  be  required  to  service  our  own
planned and our own angling club requirements. 

This will require the FWA to:

·  Seek to consolidate our coaching structure 

·  Make  the  transition  from  FWA  non-accredited  coaching  qualification  to  UKCC
accredited National Angling Coaching Qualification

·  Introduce measures to facilitate coach retention, especially during the formative
period of UKCC

·  Provide the necessary trained personnel and infrastructure to facilitate delivery 
of UKCC, including establishing the FWA as an approved centre

·  Be  full  and  active  partner  in  the  UKCC  alongside  the  ADBs  of  England  and
Scotland.

·  Introduce the upper coach levels of UKCC enabling a career pathway for FWA
coaches.

·  Introduce  an  award  for  assistant  coaches,  i.e,  below  L1  which  satisfies  child
safety  requirements,  enabling  club  members  and  others,  from  non-angling
organisations, for example, to assist coaches.

·  Continue  to  demonstrate  commitment  to WAG’s  vision  for  sport  as  outlined  in
its ‘Climbing Higher’ recommendations.

Desired Outcomes

·   FWA recognized as UKCC accredited centre, enabled to operate its own UKCC
Angling Coach training and licensing programme..

·   Measures  in  place  to  facilitate  coach  requirements  and  coach  retention,  the
latter  especially  during  transition  to  UKCC.  Sufficient  angling  coaches  trained
and  retained,  and  demand  to  become  angling  coaches  and  assistant  coaches
maintained, enabling achievement of angling participation targets, FWA and EA.

·   Angling  coaches  proceed  up  the  coaching ladder, first coaches  achieve  upper
coaching levels when they come on board.

Benefits  of  angling  receive  wider  and  greater  recognition,  growth  in  media
reports,  etc.  resulting  in  increase  in  demand  for  angling  from  other
organizations, e.g., schools, local authorities, etc.

·   Increase in number of ‘coaching hits’ on our website.

International Success – Ensure we continue to achieve
international success consistently across all three disciplines.

Competition angling is a major feature of the sport of angling and is huge world-wide.
At international level, throughout the three disciplines, Wales ‘fields’ some twenty-one
international teams when all events are covered, often punching above our weight in
terms of the size and numbers of countries participating and, in so doing, raising the
profile of Wales abroad. Our Teams are representative of the whole range of sectors
within angling, from junior to senior, ladies and disabled, however, we find ourselves
often at a great disadvantage when competing against many other nations, owing to
affordability, the cost factor often hinders us in terms of the numbers of teams we can
present, the competitions we fish and, also, in preparation for events. 

It is very much a question of having to cut our coat according to its cloth, world
championships are often the first victims, with respective disciplines regularly unable to
field teams and, on occasion having to fill places with those who can ‘afford it’, not
always presenting a team on merit. Attracting sponsors to help make up the shortfall in
available funding is also more difficult for us in Wales than for our near neighbours, this
is a problem common to most Welsh sport and is not confined to angling. 

In recent years we have produced World Champions and have won team golds in
Home Internationals across our disciplines, yet have failed to attract any increase in
funding for our international teams and have not received the media recognition we
deserve which, consequently, impacts on sponsorship. We propose  addressing this
problem by:

·    Lobbying for greater funding, in recognition of success and participation
numbers

·    Seek comparable media coverage regarding success at International level to
that received by at least one other home nation

·    Enable access to records reporting on Welsh successes at all levels of
International angling competition, highlighting achievements which can be
accessed by team managers/sponsorship officers to seek commercial
sponsorship.

Although adequate funding is important in helping facilitate success at International
level, other major factors also play a vital role, notably the quality of competitor,
planning and preparation, coaching and team management, and the ‘conveyor belt’ of
talent coming through, all are recognized as key and fully embraced by the most
successful angling nations in recent years.

In order to maintain and improve on our level of success in international competition we
need to:

·  Ensure our selection systems, which currently vary between disciplines, enable
teams of our highest quality anglers to ‘take the field’.

·  Ensure the best quality coaching and management teams, important across all
levels but particularly so for our youth teams.

·  Encourage coaches/team managers to proceed to the higher levels of UKCC,
when they are introduced, as this will help facilitate the above.

·  Ensure prominence is given to proper planning and preparation, which are
essential pre-requisites to success, again dependent on good team
management. 

·  Introduce a Pathway structure, (Fig 3), whereby anglers have a defined route to
international selection, where talented anglers can be identified and where,
especially, our ablest young anglers are nurtured and not left by the wayside. 

·  Seek funding sources which contribute to our involvement in international
competition, enabling participation at all major events by our strongest teams 

Desired Outcomes

·    Each discipline presents its strongest representative teams for international
competition

·    Sufficient funding is available to enable representation at major international
events

·    Team management consists of highest quality coaches and managers.

·    A pathway structure is in place enabling our talented anglers and, in particular,
our best young anglers can develop and have a defined route to international
selection.  

Our international angling teams compete in Home, European and World
Championships, (and the occasional Commonwealth Championship in respect of game
angling). Home Internationals play a prominent role in respect of sea and game angling
and are therefore included in our target forecast for achievement over the period of this
plan, during this period we aim to achieve a minimum total of 20 gold, 22 silver and 18
bronze team or individual medals in international events, these to include 3 gold, 4
silver and 4 bronze at World and European level.

Key Associate Organisations

KEY ASSOCIATE ORGANISATIONS

Several  other  key  organisations  whose  expertise  and  influence  are  recognized  as
being  valuable  to  the  FWA  and  whose  resources  and  ability  to  facilitate  angling
administration  and  participation  are  critical  to  the  successful  delivery  of  this
development plan are listed below.
Angling Development Board, (England) – with its much greater resources, the ADB
is  critical  partner  in  coaching  and  the  development  of  the  UKCC  National  Angling
Coaching Qualification. The Angling Development Board of Scotland is also a partner
in respect of UKCC but is less influential in respect of Wales.
Angling Unity England - this new organization which, when formed, will incorporate
ADB  (England)  and  will  be a  powerful force  in  respect of  angling  and,  although  the
FWA and its NGBs have elected not to join, it will certainly prove beneficial to work
co-operatively together.
Anglers  Conservation Association - although incorporated into the above will still
have  an  arm  accessible  to  anglers  and  organizations  in  Wales  and  Scotland  The
ACA  are  the  primary  conservation  group  fighting  pollution  and  working  for  the
betterment of  water quality. The FWA recognizes the need to develop a partnership
agreement to access the expertise of this excellent organization.
British  Disabled  Angling  Association  –  dedicated  to  ensuring  provision  and
opportunity  for  disabled  anglers,  the  FWA  acknowledges  the  role  this  organization
and its expertise in all matters appertaining to the disabled, in raising awareness and
in  making  provision  for  disabled  anglers  and  the  benefits  of  working  co-operatively
with the BDAA.
Get  Hooked  on  Fishing  -  could  become  a  key  partner  in  our  effort  to  develop
angling  opportunities  within  socially  disadvantaged  communities.  The  FWA
recognizes the  contribution  GHOF  has made  in  this  respect  and  wishes  to  build on
the relationship already begun.
Rivers Trusts – angling participation would be high on their agendas
Welsh Assembly Government – incumbent upon the FWA as a SCW funded sport
is  the  need  to  assist  WAG  to  achieve  its  ‘Climbing  Higher’  targets  for  sport
participation. The FWA recognizes the policies, influences and resources of WAG are
crucial  to  the  future  of  recreational  angling  in  Wales  and,  therefore,  seeks  to  work
with WAG to promote angling and secure investment for its long-term future.
Welsh  Council  for  Voluntary  Action  – membership  of  this  organization  provides
access to support and information essential to our operation as a national body, this
includes advice, policies, CPD and link to its Criminal Records Unit.

Welsh Sports Association – allied to SCW, provides valuable source of information
and support for sports national governing bodies.

National Coaching Strategy

2008 –2012

Helen Pearce

National Angling Coaching Co-ordinator

&

FWA Coaching and Development Group 

Contents

Overview

Angling Coaching Vision

Angling Coaching Structure

Angling and the UK Coaching Framework

Angling Broad Objectives

Appendices

High Performance Targets

Angling Participation Targets

Angling Coaches Targets

Coaching Strategy Overview

 

The Federation of Welsh Anglers (FWA) recognises the importance of the
development of coaching in angling, across the three disciplines, in Wales. 
Angling is uniquely placed to deliver across numerous government
agenda’s regarding sport, health, education and crime reduction across
Wales.  
Whilst angling is not currently an Olympic or Commonwealth Games sport
it does achieve significant success on the National, European and World
stage.  Developments are needed in terms of elite performance coaching
infrastructure and delivery.

As a Phase 3 sport in the UK Coaching Framework process, angling is
currently in the foundation stage of development.  However, significant
achievements have been made during the past two years with the
formation of Regional Coaching Panels, a National Coaching and
Development Group and the appointment of a part-time Coaching Co-
ordinator.  All of this work has been undertaken, mainly by volunteers
from each of the National Governing Bodies within the sport.  Valuing and
recognition of their commitment, hard work and enthusiasm is paramount
to the future development of the sport.

The next stage is our Angling Coaching Strategy which outlines the
development of angling coaching in line with the UK Coaching Framework
for the next four years.  This Strategy gives an overview and will be
supported by a detailed annual operational plan.

Angling Coaching Vision

 

“More people participating in angling with the opportunity to develop
within   the sport”

Angling Coaching Structure

FWA Executive Board

National Angling Coaching Co-ordinator

Coaching & Development Group

Regional Panels

National Coaches

Regional Coaches

Club Coaches

All three National Governing Bodies are represented at the key points
within the structure. Regional Panels manage the day to day coaching
activities within a given geographic region.  FWA Coaching and
Development Group manage strategic coaching development and,
through the National Angling Coaching Co-ordinator, make
recommendations to the FWA Executive Board on coaching matters.

Angling & the UK Coaching Framework

 

Angling is currently in the Foundation Phase of the UK Coaching
Framework.  A summary follows to give an outline of work to be
undertaken during the next few years:-

A – The UK Coaching System

Action 1 – The UK Coaching Model
The UKCC Angling National Source Group will continue to meet to develop
qualifications for the framework and each Home Nation will be responsible
for producing its coaching model.

Action 2 – Participant Pathway
The UKCC Angling National Source Group will design the Participant
Pathway for each Home Nation country.  This will be agreed by each
National Governing Body then be implemented, assessed and reviewed
within the timeframe of this strategy.

Action 3 – Coach Pathway
The UKCC Angling National Source Group will design the Coach Pathway
for each Home Nation country.  This will be agreed by each National
Governing Body then be implemented, assessed and reviewed within the
timeframe of this strategy.

Action 4 – Coaching Strategies
This plan represents the Coaching Strategy for angling in Wales over the
next four years.

B – Front-line coaching

Action 5 – Active & Qualified Coaches
The Angling Coaching Strategy for Wales outlines how we will recruit and
retain coaches over the next four years.  The UKCC Level 2 qualification
will be submitted for endorsement in November 2008 and the Level 1
qualification will be submitted in early 2009. We have already set up
databases to track our coaching workforce and these could be developed
further to provide more detailed information.  Standards will be set on the
education and training of our coaches and also in the recruitment and
deployment of coaches.

Action 6 – Coaching in Education
Angling has a huge potential to become more involved in the education
sector, offering an alternative to mainstream sports and indeed the educational and learning environment.  Angling will develop a plan to
increase our angling coaching within the education sector.

C – Support for Coaches

 

Action 7 – Coaching Support and System Delivery
Angling is currently developing the UKCC Qualifications and during the
timeframe of this Angling Strategy will introduce the UKCC Levels 1, 2 and
3 Qualifications.  Angling will also introduce a new Entry Level
qualification.  Angling will develop its workforce of Coach Educators,
Assessors and Verifiers. Angling will place a large emphasis on the support
of coaches which is detailed in our Coaching Strategy.

Action 8 – Targeted Development for Coaches
Angling will look at how we can provide training opportunities for specific
population groups such as the disabled, young people, women and girls
and talented people.  Significant work will need to be done in terms of our
elite performance coaching.

Action 9 – Specialist Qualifications and CPD
As detailed above

D – Professionally regulated vocation

Action 10 – Licensing and Regulation
Angling already has a licensing scheme in place, however this will be
developed to formalise the process and elements within the licensing
structure.

Action 11 – Profile and recognition of coaching
Angling will look into the work needed to ensure we value and recognise
the work of our coaches.  This may lead to the introduction of both FWA
and National Governing Body annual coaching award schemes as well as
other promotional activities.

E – Research and Development

Action 12 – Research and Development
Angling will begin to monitor the impact of our coaching activities –
evaluating success of community projects, club coaching and international
coaching to identify the benefits from individual communities to elite
performance levels.

Angling Broad Objectives

2008 – 2012

Appropriate UKCC Coaching Qualifications in
place

Coaches are well supported

Development of Elite Performance

More Coaches

To increase the number of active coaches to meet the demand for
angling coaching.

To source adequate funding in order to support the variety of
coaching needs and projects within angling.

To promote the benefits of coaching in order to recruit more coaches
and to encourage people from all area’s of society.

To ensure coaches are active and that standards within angling
coaching are maintained.

To ensure a coach identity through the introduction of a ‘coaching
uniform’ to raise the profile of angling coaches.

To introduce incentive schemes to ensure retention of coaches and to
show recognition and value for the work they undertake.

Appropriate UKCC Qualifications in place

To continue work within the UK Angling National Source Group to
ensure the appropriate qualifications at each level are developed.

To develop our workforce of Coach Educators, Assessors and Verifiers
to deliver the new qualifications.

To set up an Angling Approved Centre in Wales for the administration
of the UKCC Qualifications.

To develop our current coach licensing scheme.

Coaches are well supported

To develop and introduce a ‘Welcome Pack’ for new coaches.

To provide technical advice through a network of ‘experts’ in varying
fields and disciplines.

To introduce a set of coaching tool kits.

To develop the coaching pages on the website to provide information,
advice, downloads, contacts and support

To introduce the opportunities for networking in the form of regional
or local coaching cells, providing opportunities for coaches to get
together.

To provide tailored support packages and mentoring for coaches
particularly the young, disabled, peer coaches and entry level
coaches.

To provide regular contact with coaches through a variety of
mediums.

To support coaches through the transition to the new UKCC
Qualifications.

To introduce regional and national coaching seminars.

To provide physical support on a club and regional level.

To develop and deliver a new entry level qualification for angling
coaching.

Development of Elite Performance

To discuss within each National Governing Body the development of
elite performance within angling.

To develop a plan within each National Governing Body to formalise
the training, development and coaching needs for International
Teams. 

To clarify the roles and responsibilities of coaches at each level within
angling by producing role descriptors