Fly Fish Australia has reported that the Australian Ladies Team (pictured) that intended to compete at the 4th Ladies World Fly Fishing Championships in Idaho, USA, have not fished in the competition. A brief official statement was issued by the team:
“The Australian ladies have been unable to fish in the World Championships in Idaho, USA.
“US Angling have failed to provide medical assistance insurance coverage as required by the rules of the peak body FIPs Mouche. Australian ladies were told that US Angling expected them to rely on their own travel insurance.
“Teams were asked to sign a waiver releasing US Angling from all liability four days before the competition began.
“The Australian Ladies Team, supported by FFA, were not prepared to fish without the organisers carrying the required competition medical insurance.
“We are all devastated.”
Fly Fish Australia said it fully supports the Australian Ladies position as a team and as individual competitors to not place themselves at personal risk of injury without sufficient indemnity from the event organisers and governing body Fips Mouche.
The team was reportedly devastated, and are in the process of planning to return home. The Board of Fly Fish Australia will now take this matter further with the relevant parties and are very appreciative of everyone’s support for the Australian team.