News

September has been an epic month for UKFL with so much happening.  I thought I would write a little reminder about all the achievements and updates to keep all of you lovely members in the loop.

September saw a return to indoor racing at Newark hosted by Junkyard Dogs who offered an extra award to their chosen “Junkyard Dog of the Day.”  The awards went to Merry from Waveney to recognise the lovely working relationship between dog and junior handler and also to Kobe from Tails to recognise the achievements of a first time handler and the dogs first ever league event.

The firm favourite venue of Oswestry also returned which saw Storm Chasers celebrating their 10th birthday but also highlighted the fundraising efforts of one special “not so little” lady Emma Wagg who set herself a mission of racing 12 dogs over a single weekend ably supported by numerous other flyball teams and members to ensure that she succeeded.  Emma continues in her fundraising efforts for the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund.

Oswestry was also the event which saw Tails We Win bring the British and European Records back under UKFL racing to an incredible time of 14.53 with still more in the tank I believe so watch this space as they are certainly not done yet!

UKFL has also been represented at a number of dog events throughout the Country including Dogfest Events at Knebworth and Cirencester and Paws in the Park which included an event hosted by All4One.  A huge thank you to all those teams and individuals who represented us at these events and acted as Ambassadors for our sport and league.  You did an incredible job.

The 2022 diary is starting to fill up nicely with some exciting events and new venues planned and we hope to see more UKFL Teams taking the plunge.  With this in mind we do have an exciting new announcement to make for those Teams who are considering hosting for the first time so keep your eye on the Hub!

We have welcomed two new members to our Social Media Team so a huge welcome to Paul Horgan and Vicky Jones.

There have also been a number of Crufts Qualifiers taking place throughout the Country and a huge congratulations to Molten Magnets, Southern Striders and All4One for racing your paws off to qualify.  We look forward to seeing you representing us on the famous green carpet.

We have recently announced the three teams that will be representing our league at the Flyball World Championships in Belgium next Year and I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Essex, Cambridgeshire and Tails We Win Teams all the very best as they now prepare for what may be the largest competition they have competed in.  I am sure they will all do us proud.

Finally just a reminder that the league cannot drive forward and develop without the Team of fabulous volunteers working as the cogs in this fantastic machine.  I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our officials, volunteers and not forgetting our event hosts.  You all play such a big part in the development and operation of the league and your work often goes without recognition so thank you for everything you do.

If you would like to take a more active part in the league then we are seeking to fill a number of roles.  We are desperately seeking an organised admin officer to take on a number of responsibilities but most importantly to upload all of those DOUBLE POINTS that your dogs are now earning!! We also still need dedicated regional mentors in Scotland and Wales and are looking to expand our Tech Team so if you fancy a challenge and seeing what happens on the inside of the League then please get in touch.

Lets see what October brings but September it has been a blast.  UKFL is back!!

Last weekend, junior member Emma Wagg completed a challenge she had set herself to raise money for a local Cancer Charity which had looked after her Nanna, who sadly passed away last year.  The challenge was to run 12 flyball dogs at a competition.  Her mother Carolyn Wagg commented “there aren’t the words to describe how  proud I am of Emma.  She struggled a little with the grief losing her Nanna but she’s used those feelings and channeled her energy into doing something positive”.  A big thank you to all the owners who happily lent their dogs.  A huge shout out to Emma, well done.

If you would like to make a donation, https://www.lingendavis.co.uk

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma12in12

UKFL team Tails We Win regained the European Flyball record this weekend at the Storm Chasers competition at Oswestry, the second time they  have broken the record at that venue.  The previous weekend the Belgian team Roadrunners ran 14.59 to take the record, which had been held by Tails for over 3 years.  Tails managed a superb 14.53.  The team line up was Shannon Bobbi Harvey ran Salam start, Ross Payne and Kenickie 2nd,  Megan Lamont and Wiggie  3rd with Helen Welch running Ginny anchor.   Side bar, Ginny happens to be Wiggie’s sister.  It is all the more remarkable as Ginny was drafted in at the last minute as height dog. Both Kenickie and Ginny are owned by Helen Welch, wow lucky Helen owning 2 of the 4 dogs in the team.  A quote from Ross, “the right words are hard to come by to explain the feeling of breaking a record in the A team.  It is mentally exhausting. the pressure and expectations,  all come into play.  Sometimes what looks so easy on paper is practically impossible on the day.  you might try and fail a thousand times, as when by our original 14.64 standing for over 3 years.  The emotion of finally piecing everything together and seeing, hearing and feeling that occasion is a high like I cannot describe.

So this weekend for the first time, UKFL had a stand at the DogFest event at Knebworth House.  A huge thank you to all our members and the young members, the youngest being 2 years old including Braveheart who gave of their time to attend the event and be ambassadors for our league and also a huge thank you to the teams that provided the demonstrations to showcase our much loved sport.  Be Right Back, Cambridgeshire, Bravehearts and Wooferines.

The next Dogfest the UKFL will be attending is being held at Cirencester Park 18th/19th September, the demos will be provided by Northants Falcons and Phoenix. Our Head Mentor and representatives from Mad Mutts Flyball Team will be in attendance to answer any questions or queries so if any members are around or fancy a day out then pop along, say hello and wear your UKFL or team shirt with pride.