Establishment of and Terms of reference for Sub-Committee on Dog Measurement   

At the 2007 AFA AGM the members passed a Resolution “That the AFA form a  Sub Committee to investigate methods of dog measuring and determination of corresponding jump height in order to determine best practice with respect to varying canine conformation as opposed to current methodology which only considers height measurement.”

The Resolution included the following Terms of Reference:

Sub Committee to:

  • Investigate various methods of dog measurement with a view to determining best practice in setting corresponding jump heights to result in fair and equitable competition conditions for all dogs,regardless of conformation.
  •  Methods to be considered must be reliable, reproducible and simple to perform.
  • Consider the implications (if any) upon existing AFA/NAFA rule licensing arrangements if a new method were to be introduced.
  • Conduct sample measurements of all methods under review.
  • Report findings back to the membership and AFA Committee for consideration.

 

In discussion at the AGM there was discussion that the review should also take into account the issue of how to ensure a common and uniform practice in implementing any measuring system. The Committee has accordingly added this as an extension of the Terms of Reference contained in the Resolution

The Resolution finally stated that the AFA Committee return a report to the members within 6 months of this motion being passed (i.e. by 23 February 2008). In order to meet this timeline the Committee will need to receive the Sub Committees report by no later than end December 2007.

 

The Resolution indicated that the number of members of the Sub Committee needed to be determined and that  they should not necessarily be AFA Committee members. The Committee, at its September meeting, determined that the Sub Committee should comprise 5 members, of who two would be Committee members and 3 would be volunteer AFA Members.

In order to finalise the establishment of the Sub Committee the Committee would now like to call for volunteers with an interest in being part of the Sub Committee. Expressions of interest should be lodged with the AFA Secretary  by no later than end September 2007. Submissions should preferably indicate relevant experience and interest in the matter of dog measuring for the sport of flyball.