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    Re: CLUB's Archived Message

    Posted by scuzzy on 26/5/2012, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Re: CLUB's"

    This is a very good subject.

    Personally I think for the NZACA and fishing clubs to grow in NZ we need to get in on the ground level.
    I hear from a lot of clubs in NZ and Australia and the common thing I hear from them all is we don’t have the young members like we use to.

    Maybe we need to target the school system with after-school/weekend programs/workshops or at polytech level– educate young people on what’s happening in the country relating to the fishing industry, how things are changing, explaining why we have fishing quotas and Fisheries inspectors. You only need to speak to young people that don’t fish, to realise little knowledge they have of the systems in NZ.

    Maybe run a couple of school programs about fishing – take a parent and son/daughter fishing days,
    teach kids how to fish and do it properly, how to use reels, rods and tie rigs, teach them to cast and the benefits of fishing along with catch sizes, limits etc

    A lot of clubs need to have a mentor system in place when it comes to members- Pania club have a mates comp which I think is very good idea. Also Phill has done a similar thing down his way, all credit to him for this as well.
    Maybe an inter club comp could be setup where there is no need to travel, and it’s based on a species points system specifically for young members e.g- 8-15 year olds. I don’t think cash as prizes is a good idea as people will end up chasing the dollar and the point of getting younger members involved is lost.

    For the NZACA to lift its profile in NZ they need to be more pro-active- you just don’t hear about the organisation unless you are in a club and even then the info is limited. Just look at what NZ Sport Fishing Council do for its members – when you join you get member discounts with various organisations, IGFA rules etc and then they have their Legasea program. Perhaps the NZACA could do a deal with Top 10 Holiday Parks, fishing stores, camping stores, outdoor door clothing stores, subway……the options are endless so that their members get a card and that card gives discounts when used at participating outlets. There a lot of club members and past members that have some very good ideas on how to help and change things to promote and grow the NZACA in NZ, but we don’t listen to them. Too many things happen behind closed doors with a select group of people and the actual members don’t get a say. This happens in most organisations not just fishing, but when all is said and done most of the members are not happy with the decisions made as usually these decisions benefit the select group who made them and not the organization as a whole.

    Club members need to be more active within their clubs and clubs need to be more active within the community. I’m not saying that members have to attend every event that is held, as it is quite difficult with work and family commitments etc. Speaking of families, I feel that many clubs fail to offer any events/incentives to get family involvement. Back in my day (now I sound old) our fish-together’s were big family/club events with up to 50 people coming along. People fished, while others cooked up a storm on the BBQ, kids ran round playing and others just drank beer. It was a great atmosphere. Doing something like this again with a banner stuck in the ground saying “XYZ Fishing Club, new members welcome” could help both club camaraderie and attract new members, so could a sausage sizzle outside Bunnings accompanied by club paraphernalia with flyers about the club and/or NZACA. Many people don’t even realise fishing clubs exist.

    Sorry for the ramble guys, I’ve been pretty crook lately and haven’t been able to get out fishing.

    Maybe the NZACA need to be more proactive with local IWI regarding access to certain areas as well- just a thought.

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