HOW TO START A CLUB.

How to Start an FLW National Guard College Fishing Club
1. Competition, camaraderie, scholarships, and of course, fishing–FLW National Guard College Fishing is sure to lure record numbers of young men and women to the sport of tournament bass fishing. But there is a catch to getting in on the action. You must belong to a fishing club recognized by a four-year college or university. If you are not currently a member of a recognized student fishing club, then start your own by following these simple steps:

Step 1: Register at CollegeFishing.comThe requirements to form a recognized or sanctioned fishing club vary from school to school, but registering at CollegeFishing.com will give you access to most of the tools you will need to get your club started. We will also connect you to other students at your college or university who are interested in starting a fishing club.

Step 2: Recruit Anglers Recruiting interested students is the key to getting your club started. After registering at CollegeFishing.com, you'll need to check your e-mail often for the latest connections to other students interested in forming a club. Recruiting is an ongoing process and should always be considered a top priority. Additional steps you can take to assist in recruitment include:

Work with your student newspaper to publish an article about the scholarship opportunities a fishing club has to offer. Click here for a sample news article.
Advertise in the classified section of your student newspaper. Be sure to set a time and location for an organizational meeting, and list a contact person complete with e-mail and telephone number.
Post flyers around campus.
Set up a table at orientations, registrations and activity fairs around campus. Be sure to have a brochure or other printed information available.
Create an online community for your prospective club using tools available at CollegeFishing.com.
Communicate news about your club through fraternity and sorority channels, school blogs, Facebook pages, etc.
Always remember to include the following information in your promotional material:
National Guard College Fishing tournaments are FREE with no entry fees (Participating anglers must be FLW Outdoors Gold Advantage members - $35.00 annually).
NO BOATS are necessary to compete in National Guard College Fishing tournaments. Boats and drivers will be provided for all teams competing.
Every team competing will receive a travel allowance based on the distance traveled to compete.
Every tournament will be live online at CollegeFishing.com and the National Guard Regional Championships and the National Championship will be broadcast nationwide on FSN (Fox Sports Net).
Participation is open to men and women who are full-time registered students, and prior fishing experience is not necessary (You want to attract all anglers, not just the most experienced).
Your contact information.
Registering at CollegeFishing.com will connect you to other students on your campus who are interested in joining a fishing club.
Step 3: Meet with Campus Recreation or Student Affairs Once you have established interest in a fishing club, contact the office in charge of club sports on your campus to receive all the necessary applications and information required to start a recognized or sanctioned club. Generally this is the Campus Recreation or Student Affairs office. Club directors may be unfamiliar with tournament fishing, so take them information to explain FLW National Guard College Fishing program along with a list of students interested in joining the club.
Most colleges and universities require clubs to have bylaws. Click here for a sample. Having recognized or sanctioned club status may allow you to use campus facilities, use the college or university name and logo, have access to insurance coverage, apply for grants, create a group e-mail address through the school and fund raise on campus.
Step 4: Affiliate with FLW Outdoors Once you've established a fishing club recognized or sanctioned by your college or university, be sure to register the club at CollegeFishing.com and encourage all members of the club to join FLW Outdoors. Participation in FLW National Guard College Fishing tournaments is absolutely FREE and boats and drivers will be provided for every team. Every team competing in a tournament will also receive an expense allowance, but anglers must be Gold Advantage members of FLW Outdoors to participate. Click here to join.
Step 5: Go Fishing After you've registered your club at CollegeFishing.com it's time to enter your first tournament. Organize your club members into two-person teams and select any or all of the four one-day qualifying events in your division for the chance to win lucrative scholarships. The top five teams in each qualifier will advance to one of five televised, three-day National Guard Regional Championships for the chance to win a brand new Ranger boat for your club. After that, the top five teams in each regional will earn a spot in the televised, three-day National Guard National Championship where they will compete for $100,000 first place prize and a berth into the 2010 $2.5 million Forrest Wood Cup for the chance to win up to $1 million.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact FLW National Guard College Fishing Tournament Director Kevin Hunt at 270.252.1593 or e-mail.

Dennis North
Texas TBF Federation Tournament Director
Texas TBF State Conservation