How ANSA Works

To form your A N.S.A. club, we suggest a minimum of six members. Australia-wide, the average club has over forty members, which seems to be an ideal number for social and fishing reasons. Membership in the Association is open to all clubs and members who agree to abide by the rules and standards of the Association.
Branches:
Branch Executives are elected by delegates from the clubs within each State. Branches do much of the regional work in processing Record claims and Master certificates, advising on contests and representing their clubs in various ways. Clubs benefit from active contact with their respective Branches.
National:
A National Board Executive is in turn elected by Branches every 3 years. The National Board administers and manages the Association as a whole. The National Board also publishes the A.N.S.A. Rule book and maintains all National record charts. Rule books are supplied to the branches in sufficient quantity to ensure that each ANSA member has a personal copy. The National record chart is maintained on the ANSA website and is regularly updated. All requisite forms for claiming Records and Masters Awards etc are available on the ANSA website.
USING THE A.N.S.A. SYSTEM
Well established clubs run very smoothly, however there may be times when State Branch or National assistance is needed. First step is at club level, where the majority of locally relevant decisions are taken. It is difficult for Branches or National to move on an issue unless it is voted on by that Branch’s member clubs.
A couple of useful points, all of us have to accept a majority vote. Most times we can reach agreement but occasionally divergence of opinion will prevail. When we differ a decision by majority vote must be exercised and the result accepted with good grace.
On rare occasions instant action may be vital. Typical case, a member discovers a fish kill in a local stream. There’s no need to hold a meeting before reporting it. Keep cool, make no wild statements, stay factual and try to get the media engaged. The golden rule is to remain polite. Few people are more impressive than a public spirited citizen with a strong case. A final tip on any issue, you may not win a instant victory, so be prepared to make a campaign of it. Persistence and a good case are hard to beat.
REPRESENTATION
Jurisdiction over fishing issues rests mainly with State Governments, so Branches play a vital role in representing clubs and members. Most A.N.S.A. Branches are actively represented on State level fishing advisory councils and the like. These representatives should be active member of the Branch Committee or liaise closely with it. Their responsibility is to represent A.N.S.A. membership and the broader recreational fishing community on State fishing isues.
ANSA National is also actively engaged in liaison and advocacy functions on behalf of members, clubs and state branches on a broad range of issues at both a State and Federal Government level and is well represented on many government advisory panels and committees. ANSA is also an active founding member of Recfish Australia (the Australian Recreational and Sport Fishing Industry Confederation) which is widely recognized as the National peak body representing all Australian recreational fishers.
If you need advice, want to know what’s going on or assistance and guidance on any issue then get in touch with your Branch or National ANSA executive. We are there to help.