Gentleman's Agreement - again

[andrew.paterson]

There are a few posts about at the moment about membership to GNAS, and what they do etc. I just wanted to know that in order to compete I must be a member of GNAS, and one of our 'benefits' is the magazine.

In this edition the editor seemed to take exception to criticism of the fact that it just ends up being a glorified results and minutes leaflet. The rage of the response did raise quite a few anomolies:

1. Apparently the magazine is not on general sale, so why is there a price of £4.25 on the cover?

2. Responses in previous editions did mention a Gentleman's agreement to prevent conflicts with commercial magazines. Pity these magazines do not put their money where their mouth is. This editiona of Archery UK only had one commercial magazine advertising - wow, looks like they are trying to support our sport how gemtlemanly of them.

3. A question was raised by the editor instead of complaining why don't members send in coaching articles? One crucial point GNAS seem to miss here, this is the magazine representing our national sport, and we pay for development of coaches and a guru of a national coach. So why can't we all have this information provided by GNAS to ALL members that submit their membership fees, or are some members more equal than others?

4. Probably the most sad comment was if you aren't happy just cancel the magazine. I am tempted because it will save the environment and I also assume we will get a discount off our increased membership fees? How about putting a pdf copy on the GNAS web-site this would drastically reduce postage and printing costs.

[gerald_edmundson]

I have never received my copy of the magazine. Do I need to inform someone to send it or just wait. Have had a permanent membership number for about 18 month

[flamingbladerider]

Same here, been club member for 3 years and i've never had or seen the magazine

[Thunk]

I think the point about the 'gentlemen's agreement' is that Archery UK is supplied (nominally) free to GNAS members, whereas other archery magazines are commercial enterprises and as such have to charge to remain in business. In that respect I think the agreement is fair enough, although it does leave Archery UK a very boring magazine!

So far as I'm aware the cover price of £4.25 is a new addition, and is obviously meaningless. But at least it shows that the editors have a sense of humour!

[Furface]

I seem to recall that the "cover price" is something to do with either accounting for production costs or "proving" that it really is a magazine to qualify for (?)reduced postage rates. Or possibly both. Or possibly neither. But it was a way to keep costs down.
As for getting your copy, this does depend on your club secretary having sent your address in in the first place. Including post code, as (I believe) this is a requirement of the distributors. Drop the office an email with your full address, GNAS number and name, and ask them to check.
There was a letter in a very early edition from a club secretary, complaining that GNAS had sent him so many copies that he couldn't open his front door on the day they all arrived. It seems the numpty had not sent in members' addresses (as requested) but had put them all as c/o club secretary. And received all their AUKs. Worth checking that your Secretary does actually send in addresses.

[WhitehartFB]

Originally Posted by andrew.paterson

23. A question was raised by the editor instead of complaining why don't members send in coaching articles? One crucial point GNAS seem to miss here, this is the magazine representing our national sport, and we pay for development of coaches and a guru of a national coach. So why can't we all have this information provided by GNAS to ALL members that submit their membership fees, or are some members more equal than others?

.

The problem with sending in coaching or technical articles for publication is that the articles have to be checked by the Coaching team to make sure there is no conflicting advice to that promoted by GNAS coaches and my understanding is that articles seem to get lost in "somebodys" in tray so they never get published.

Personally I think it would be good if Peter Suk and the Coaches were to write some quarterly words of wisdom for the masses but again there has to be a will..I get the impression that there is no reason why they would not be published all that's missing each quarter are the words and pictures.

Finally, I think it's sad that I know more about the US, AUS and Italy's coaching direction despite having no direct contacts with those countries than what's done in the UK because to find out what goes on here I have to embark on a coaching course yet the information and direction is clearly defined on the others websites.

[Wrexham Exile]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

The problem with sending in coaching or technical articles for publication is that the articles have to be checked by the Coaching team to make sure there is no conflicting advice to that promoted by GNAS coaches and my understanding is that articles seem to get lost in "somebodys" in tray so they never get published.

if they had to do that they may as well write their own - hell they should/could anyway.

[Flying Whale]

Originally Posted by Whitehart

The problem with sending in coaching or technical articles for publication is that the articles have to be checked by the Coaching team to make sure there is no conflicting advice to that promoted by GNAS coaches and my understanding is that articles seem to get lost in "somebodys" in tray so they never get published.

Personally I think it would be good if Peter Suk and the Coaches were to write some quarterly words of wisdom for the masses but again there has to be a will..I get the impression that there is no reason why they would not be published all that's missing each quarter are the words and pictures.

Finally, I think it's sad that I know more about the US, AUS and Italy's coaching direction despite having no direct contacts with those countries than what's done in the UK because to find out what goes on here I have to embark on a coaching course yet the information and direction is clearly defined on the others websites.

Have you not looked at the GNAS web site?

Tucked away in the "Performance" section, there is a sub-cestion titled "Peters Tips". I saw this and thought "GREAT".

So far there is one article. It is preceded with the following

"This page will be for the Head Coach to post Coaching articles, Technical advice, and shooting advice. It will cover all aspects of shooting from beginers to international levels and will build in to comprehensive library over time.

The first article from the Head Coach comes from asking the Junior Team manager for the 2nd Leg of the Europa Cup, Jan Eley to make some observations on the juniors taking part in the training shoot at Lilleshall in May.
".

This article is dated May 2006. As far as I can tell it is now June 2007, which is 13 months. This is not a very comprehensive library.

I am not a real GNAS basher, but this does seem a little lame. I would love to see more, but so far one arcticle that does not come from Peter Suk at all seems a little overblown to be called "Peter's tips".

Anyone have any ideas how we can make complaints/encouragement to GNAS that is not perceived as being just bl***y minded?

[Orinoco]

I don't know much about the magazine, being one of those who has been a member for 18 months but never seen one.

If you are looking for inspiration for an NGB magazine have a look at Canoe Focus which is provided "free" to full members of the BCU. It had its rocky moments in the past with open boaters feeling a bit hard done by during the playboating boom a few years back but they now seem to have an excellent balance between all the canoeing disciplines as well as coaching, kit, reviews, journey writeups etc. If you are a coach you also get an additional coaching supplement (CODE) which has excellent information and ideas. If you are looking for something less mainstream (no pun intended) and more on a par with archery in terms of numbers "The Sword", magazine of the British Fencing Association is also a good one.

Ori

[GreenSteve]

Originally Posted by Orinoco

I don't know much about the magazine, being one of those who has been a member for 18 months but never seen one.

If you are looking for inspiration for an NGB magazine have a look at Canoe Focus which is provided "free" to full members of the BCU. It had its rocky moments in the past with open boaters feeling a bit hard done by during the playboating boom a few years back but they now seem to have an excellent balance between all the canoeing disciplines as well as coaching, kit, reviews, journey writeups etc. If you are a coach you also get an additional coaching supplement (CODE) which has excellent information and ideas. If you are looking for something less mainstream (no pun intended) and more on a par with archery in terms of numbers "The Sword", magazine of the British Fencing Association is also a good one.

Ori

Perhaps someone with a few spare copies of these could send a few into ArcheryUK with the suggestion of researching the formats of those magazines and taking on board honest feedback, rather than blowing a steamer