AUSTRALIA’S REEL GAUNTLET

How To Qualify

 

To qualify

In addition to the requirements under Fees & Kit:

• Participants must be 16 years of age or older.
• Participants must be wearing their own personalised team guernsey in fish handling photos to score that fish. Shirts can be ordered through the Merch Outlet. IMPORTANT: Each Competitor Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. Please watch the provided video explaining how to order your personalised shirt AND make sure you select your state! Incorrectly ordered shirts will not be refunded. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so order proactively.
• All fish must be photographed on the official brag mat to qualify. Brag mats can be ordered through the Merch Outlet.
• Fishers can join the competition at any time, providing there is a slot available in that month.
• Bona-fide WRFL competing members automatically qualify and contribute all points achieved in League comps to their state tally and do not need to register for Australia’s Reel Gauntlet (League comps utilise the same scoring algorithms). There is no cap on the number of competing League members for states (WRFL membership is restricted to those identifying as female, and is subject to approval of application, as per our Constitution).

AUSTRALIA’S REEL GAUNTLET

General RULES

 

Once you’ve paid your fees, received your kit and confirmed that you meet the other participation criteria, here are:
— the general rules
— code of conduct
— how the season works
— how you score towards your bid for the Best & Fairest Award, and
— how you score for your state.

 

RULES

• Anglers must fish within the relevant current Fisheries guidelines for their state and must be in possession of any Fishing and Boating Licences required.
• Anglers may fish any line class with spin, baitcast, spincast or fly-fishing tackle.
• Only fish species listed in your state GAUNTLET app are eligible for points. Species lists can be downloaded here.
• Fish must be unmutilated and intact (able to be successfully released) at the time of measurement and photograph. Fish may be kept at the anglers discretion if state regulations allow, but must be alive at the time of photograph.
• Only fish measured on the official mat and being held by competitors in official shirts qualify.
• Fish caught in other events, competitions, whether organised by GAUNTLET Organisers or by other entities, are eligible for entry, as long as they comply with all GAUNTLET rules (including the wearing of Gauntlet shirt and measuring on Gauntlet mat).

 

How to score points

• Registered competitors shall submit each fish through their state GAUNTLET app.
• Fish are to be measured to the tip, with the fish nose touching the zero mark (the upright) and the length being the longest part of the tail.
• Fish on the mat must not be cut in any way (necks must not be broken in any photos).
• Fish may be kept at the angler’s discretion but must be in a releasable condition when photographed.
• Two photographs of each fish must be provided to qualify:
  1) on the mat as described above, without any contact from the angler;
  2) with the angler, wearing their team shirt. This can be a grip ‘n’ grin shot or a release shot. IMPORTANT: Each GAUNTLET Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so order proactively.
• Photographs not displaying best practice fish care will be disqualified.
• There is no limit on the number of fish submitted for entry, but each fish can only be entered once.
• Each individual registered competitor’s scores contribute to their own score in the “Best & Fairest” individual title for their state (Prize value varies from state to state), as well as contributing to the state Team Score for that fixture (see below).
• The Individual angler Ladder is updated to the website at the beginning of each month once scores have been ratified by the Officials.

 

How team scores are determined

• Each state team can play up to fifty (50) anglers in any month (on top of all bona fide competing WRFL members, who contribute all points to their respective teams automatically). The first 50 anglers to pay their competitor fees will be the state team for the month. Where a team starts the month with less than 50 registered competitors, the vacant slots can be filled at any time, so long as the competitor has received their official team shirt and has access to an official measuring mat (if they haven’t got their own).
• All fish measured through the GAUNTLET scoring app by that month’s registered competitors contribute to the Team’s score for that month’s fixture.

 

How the GAUNTLET Season works

• Australia’s Reel Gauntlet (GAUNTLET) is run across a full twelve-month season, with each month acting as a “fixture” or “sporting match”.
• The GAUNTLET season starts on 1 December every year.
• The teams are:

NSW Kingfishers
NT Crocs
QLD Brolgas
SA Opals
TAS Devils
VIC Seadragons
WA Gogofish

• Each state team has its own naming sponsor. The team sponsor determines the prize for the annual “Best & Fairest” prize for the highest scoring individual angler across the season. Only scores from the registered competitors of each month are counted towards this prize. If a competitor fails to register for one of the first fifty available slots for any given month, their fish from that month do not count towards their annual tally. It is the responsibility of every competitor to ensure their dues are paid in time. Annual competitor passes are recommended. IMPORTANT: Each GAUNTLET Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so measure your size correctly and order proactively.
• In the general season (1 December through to 30 June) all state teams fish.
• Each state competes against one other state for the month fixture, determined by “The Draw”. NOTE: There is a rotating bye due to the uneven number of teams. Each team will have one bye in the general season, collecting an automatic “win (2 points)” for that month.
• The season fixtures are determined by a static schedule, with the draw being determined by randomised allocation of states to a value in that schedule. This ensures transparency and fairness in the general season. The General Season draw will be posted to the Gauntlet website at the beginning of each season.
• At the end of the month, scores are scrutinised by the GAUNTLET Officials (Track My Fish scrutineers) and win/loss points allocated.
• The winning state for each fixture is the state that scores the most team points. Two (2) championship points are awarded for a win, zero (0) for a loss. In the unlikely event of a dead-heat draw, both teams receive one (1) championship point each.
• The GAUNTLET Ladder is updated to the website at the beginning of each month once scores have been ratified by the Officials.
• At the end of the General Season (30 June), the state team sitting in seventh place (bottom of the ladder) is eliminated. NOTE: Individual competitors continue to fish for the State Best & Fairest Award, but their points become purely individual.
• The GAUNTLET Finals Series begins on July 1.
• July is the Qualifying Round to determine Quarter Final fixtures.
• August is the Quarter Finals.
• September is the Semi Finals. Teams in 5^th and 6^th position are eliminated.
• October is the Preliminary Finals. Teams in 3^rd and 4^th position are eliminated.
• November is the Grand Final. Winner “takes the GAUNTLET” and is crowned the Champion State Team.
• Final determination of the Winners will be announced in the first week of December, including the Best & Fairest award for each state, and that prize sent to the Winner.
• There is no break between seasons.

 

Code of Conduct

• Boats should remain a cast apart (30 metres) while fishing.
• The WRFL code of ethics dictates that care of fellow fishers is of utmost importance. If another angler or boat is in distress, it is expected that other fishers will assist. Remember that safety is more important than your day’s catch.
• Anglers are not to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while competing. Legally required blood alcohol levels must be adhered to.
• It is expected that participants shall always conduct themselves in a respectful and supportive manner, as per our Pledge. It is detrimental to all recreational fishers, and our sport itself, to behave in a manner unbecoming.

 

Sportsmanship

All competitors are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to the GAUNTLET, the WRFL, the sponsors, and the sport of fishing. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules stated here.
• Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavourably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the first sentence of this section. This includes verbal communication and social media.

In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, WRFL shall have the right to refuse entry to compete, to revoke a confirmed slot to compete by returning the entry fee (minus time passed). Costs of shirts and/or mats are non-refundable.

AUSTRALIA’S REEL GAUNTLET

Risk & INDEMNITY

 

At all times, competitors are responsible for their own actions and participate in this competition at their own risk. Australia’s Reel Gauntlet and the Women’s Recreational Fishing League Inc. (the League, WRFL) provide a scoring system only and are not responsible in any way for competitors physical or mental wellbeing.

The Women’s Recreational Fishing League Inc. (League) trusts that all participants enjoy Australia’s Reel Gauntlet fixtures, however the League, the Organising Committee, Officials and Sponsors (together all referred to as the Organisers) accept no responsibility either collectively or individually, should loss or damage to property, or an injury or death to a person occur.

All participants compete at their own risk.

 

BY PAYING ENTRY FEES, ALL PARTICIPANTS INHERENTLY MAKE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

1. I acknowledge and agree that, in the event of me suffering, loss or damage to property, injury or death arising out of any of my participation in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet scoring system and all related activities. My acceptance of these terms as attested by the payment of my competitor fees will prevent my heirs, executors, administrators and/or assigns from making any claim in respect of loss or damage to property, injury or my death.
2. I also agree, on behalf of both myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that I will forever release and discharge each and every Organiser, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, sponsors and contractors from all actions, suits, claims, demands, causes of action, costs and expenses, legal, equitable, under statute and otherwise, and all other liabilities of any nature (whether or not the parties, were or could have been aware of them) which I may at any time have in any way related to or arising out of or in connection with my participation in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet or related activities.
3. I agree that the above release may be pleaded as a bar to any claim brought in any court or tribunal.
4. I agree, on behalf of both myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to indemnify and forever hold harmless the Organisers, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, sponsors, and contractors from all matters referred to in the release above, including with limitation all legal costs incurred in the defence of any such matter.
5. I acknowledge that the Organisers reserve the right to terminate the participation of any individual in their absolute discretion. Should my participation be terminated I agree I will not be entitled to any refund or other monies.

With regard to INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY

1. I agree that, at all times, I will take reasonable care for my own safety and the safety of other participants, the Organisers and others.
2. In particular, I agree to and will abide by the rules and conditions as set out in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet competition rules.

IMAGES

1. I assign any copyright I may own in any images taken by me and uploaded to the GAUNTLET Scoring App for scoring purposes or any photographs I give to the Organisers and all those images can be used by the Organisers and the League for promotional purposes. I waive any moral rights in any images I may create.

AUSTRALIA’S REEL GAUNTLET

the RULES

 

Entry Fees:    

$20 per month (paid casually)

OR

$110 per year (paid upfront — recommended)

 

Payment from each competing angler is to be paid through the WRFL Merch Outlet before fishing.

• There are only fifty (50) competitor slots available per state per month, allocated on a first-paid basis. Annual competitors are automatically prioritised and registered ahead of monthly.

 

To qualify

• Participants must be 16 years of age or older.

• Participants must be wearing their own personalised team guernsey in fish handling photos to score that fish. Shirts can be ordered through the Merch Outlet. IMPORTANT: Each Competitor Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. Please watch the provided video explaining how to order your personalised shirt AND make sure you select your state! Incorrectly ordered shirts will not be refunded. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so order proactively.

• All fish must be photographed on the official brag mat to qualify. Brag mats can be ordered through the Merch Outlet.
• Fishers can join the competition at any time, providing there is a slot available in that month.
• Bona-fide WRFL competing members automatically qualify and contribute all points achieved in League comps to their state tally and do not need to register for Australia’s Reel Gauntlet (League comps utilise the same scoring algorithms). There is no cap on the number of competing League members for states (WRFL membership is restricted to those identifying as female, and is subject to approval of application, as per our Constitution).

 

RULES

• Anglers must fish within the relevant current Fisheries guidelines for their state and must be in possession of any Fishing and Boating Licences required.
• Anglers may fish any line class with spin, baitcast, spincast or fly-fishing tackle.
• Only fish species listed in your state GAUNTLET app are eligible for points. Species lists can be downloaded here.
• Fish must be unmutilated and intact (able to be successfully released) at the time of measurement and photograph. Fish may be kept at the anglers discretion if state regulations allow, but must be alive at the time of photograph.
• Only fish measured on the official mat and being held by competitors in official shirts qualify.
• Fish caught in other events, competitions, whether organised by GAUNTLET Organisers or by other entities, are eligible for entry, as long as they comply with all GAUNTLET rules (including the wearing of Gauntlet shirt and measuring on Gauntlet mat).

 

How to score points

• Registered competitors shall submit each fish through their state GAUNTLET app.
• Fish are to be measured to the tip, with the fish nose touching the zero mark (the upright) and the length being the longest part of the tail.
• Fish on the mat must not be cut in any way (necks must not be broken in any photos).
• Fish may be kept at the angler’s discretion but must be in a releasable condition when photographed.
• Two photographs of each fish must be provided to qualify:
  1) on the mat as described above, without any contact from the angler;
  2) with the angler, wearing their team shirt. This can be a grip ‘n’ grin shot or a release shot. IMPORTANT: Each GAUNTLET Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so order proactively.
• Photographs not displaying best practice fish care will be disqualified.
• There is no limit on the number of fish submitted for entry, but each fish can only be entered once.
• Each individual registered competitor’s scores contribute to their own score in the “Best & Fairest” individual title for their state (Prize value varies from state to state), as well as contributing to the state Team Score for that fixture (see below).
• The Individual angler Ladder is updated to the website at the beginning of each month once scores have been ratified by the Officials.

 

How team scores are determined

• Each state team can play up to fifty (50) anglers in any month (on top of all bona fide competing WRFL members, who contribute all points to their respective teams automatically). The first 50 anglers to pay their competitor fees will be the state team for the month. Where a team starts the month with less than 50 registered competitors, the vacant slots can be filled at any time, so long as the competitor has received their official team shirt and has access to an official measuring mat (if they haven’t got their own).
• All fish measured through the GAUNTLET scoring app by that month’s registered competitors contribute to the Team’s score for that month’s fixture.

 

How the GAUNTLET Season works

• Australia’s Reel Gauntlet (GAUNTLET) is run across a full twelve-month season, with each month acting as a “fixture” or “sporting match”.
• The GAUNTLET season starts on 1 December every year.
• The teams are:

NSW Kingfishers
NT Crocs
QLD Brolgas
SA Opals
TAS Devils
VIC Seadragons
WA Gogofish

• Each state team has its own naming sponsor. The team sponsor determines the prize for the annual “Best & Fairest” prize for the highest scoring individual angler across the season. Only scores from the registered competitors of each month are counted towards this prize. If a competitor fails to register for one of the first fifty available slots for any given month, their fish from that month do not count towards their annual tally. It is the responsibility of every competitor to ensure their dues are paid in time. Annual competitor passes are recommended. IMPORTANT: Each GAUNTLET Guernsey is printed on order with the Competitor’s name on the back. You should allow four (4) weeks for delivery and cannot score fish without your shirt… so measure your size correctly and order proactively.
• In the general season (1 December through to 30 June) all state teams fish.
• Each state competes against one other state for the month fixture, determined by “The Draw”. NOTE: There is a rotating bye due to the uneven number of teams. Each team will have one bye in the general season, collecting an automatic “win (2 points)” for that month.
• The season fixtures are determined by a static schedule, with the draw being determined by randomised allocation of states to a value in that schedule. This ensures transparency and fairness in the general season. The General Season draw will be posted to the Gauntlet website at the beginning of each season.
• At the end of the month, scores are scrutinised by the GAUNTLET Officials (Track My Fish scrutineers) and win/loss points allocated.
• The winning state for each fixture is the state that scores the most team points. Two (2) championship points are awarded for a win, zero (0) for a loss. In the unlikely event of a dead-heat draw, both teams receive one (1) championship point each.
• The GAUNTLET Ladder is updated to the website at the beginning of each month once scores have been ratified by the Officials.
• At the end of the General Season (30 June), the state team sitting in seventh place (bottom of the ladder) is eliminated. NOTE: Individual competitors continue to fish for the State Best & Fairest Award, but their points become purely individual.
• The GAUNTLET Finals Series begins on July 1.
• July is the Qualifying Round to determine Quarter Final fixtures.
• August is the Quarter Finals.
• September is the Semi Finals. Teams in 5^th and 6^th position are eliminated.
• October is the Preliminary Finals. Teams in 3^rd and 4^th position are eliminated.
• November is the Grand Final. Winner “takes the GAUNTLET” and is crowned the Champion State Team.
• Final determination of the Winners will be announced in the first week of December, including the Best & Fairest award for each state, and that prize sent to the Winner.
• There is no break between seasons.

 

Code of Conduct

• Boats should remain a cast apart (30 metres) while fishing.
• The WRFL code of ethics dictates that care of fellow fishers is of utmost importance. If another angler or boat is in distress, it is expected that other fishers will assist. Remember that safety is more important than your day’s catch.
• Anglers are not to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while competing. Legally required blood alcohol levels must be adhered to.
• It is expected that participants shall always conduct themselves in a respectful and supportive manner, as per our Pledge. It is detrimental to all recreational fishers, and our sport itself, to behave in a manner unbecoming.

 

Sportsmanship

All competitors are required to follow high standards of sportsmanship, courtesy, and conservation and to conduct themselves in a manner that will be a credit to themselves, to the GAUNTLET, the WRFL, the sponsors, and the sport of fishing. Conduct not complying with these standards includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Violation of, or failure to comply with, any of the rules stated here.
• Any other words, conduct or actions reflecting unfavourably upon efforts to promote safety, sportsmanship, fair competition, and compliance with tournament rules, or which fail to comply with the standards set forth in the first sentence of this section. This includes verbal communication and social media.

In case of any conduct not complying with the standards outlined above, WRFL shall have the right to refuse entry to compete, to revoke a confirmed slot to compete by returning the entry fee (minus time passed). Costs of shirts and/or mats are non-refundable.

 

Risk and indemnity

At all times, competitors are responsible for their own actions and participate in this competition at their own risk. Australia’s Reel Gauntlet and the Women’s Recreational Fishing League Inc. (the League, WRFL) provide a scoring system only and are not responsible in any way for competitors physical or mental wellbeing.

The Women’s Recreational Fishing League Inc. (League) trusts that all participants enjoy Australia’s Reel Gauntlet fixtures, however the League, the Organising Committee, Officials and Sponsors (together all referred to as the Organisers) accept no responsibility either collectively or individually, should loss or damage to property, or an injury or death to a person occur.

All participants compete at their own risk.

 

BY PAYING ENTRY FEES, ALL PARTICIPANTS INHERENTLY MAKE THE FOLLOWING GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

1. I acknowledge and agree that, in the event of me suffering, loss or damage to property, injury or death arising out of any of my participation in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet scoring system and all related activities. My acceptance of these terms as attested by the payment of my competitor fees will prevent my heirs, executors, administrators and/or assigns from making any claim in respect of loss or damage to property, injury or my death.
2. I also agree, on behalf of both myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that I will forever release and discharge each and every Organiser, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, sponsors and contractors from all actions, suits, claims, demands, causes of action, costs and expenses, legal, equitable, under statute and otherwise, and all other liabilities of any nature (whether or not the parties, were or could have been aware of them) which I may at any time have in any way related to or arising out of or in connection with my participation in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet or related activities.
3. I agree that the above release may be pleaded as a bar to any claim brought in any court or tribunal.
4. I agree, on behalf of both myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to indemnify and forever hold harmless the Organisers, their directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, sponsors, and contractors from all matters referred to in the release above, including with limitation all legal costs incurred in the defence of any such matter.
5. I acknowledge that the Organisers reserve the right to terminate the participation of any individual in their absolute discretion. Should my participation be terminated I agree I will not be entitled to any refund or other monies.

With regard to INSTRUCTIONS AND SAFETY

1. I agree that, at all times, I will take reasonable care for my own safety and the safety of other participants, the Organisers and others.
2. In particular, I agree to and will abide by the rules and conditions as set out in Australia’s Reel Gauntlet competition rules.

IMAGES

1. I assign any copyright I may own in any images taken by me and uploaded to the GAUNTLET Scoring App for scoring purposes or any photographs I give to the Organisers and all those images can be used by the Organisers and the League for promotional purposes. I waive any moral rights in any images I may create.

 

AUSTRALIA’S REEL GAUNTLET

Fees & Kit

 

Entry Fees:    

$20 per month (paid casually)

OR

$110 per year (paid upfront — recommended)

 

Payment from each competing angler is to be paid through the WRFL Merch Outlet before fishing.

• There are only fifty (50) competitor slots available per state per month, allocated on a first-paid basis. Annual competitors are automatically prioritised and registered ahead of monthly.