Issue 170 JULY 2009

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TRUST GOES NATIONWIDE

The Angling Trust has recently confirmed the appointment of six new Regional Officers to join the two already in place. Their remit will be to promote and develop angling across the country. Working within local communities, with schools, the Scouts and Angling Trust member clubs and fisheries they will be responsible for promoting the Trust and introducing angling to a new generation of young people.   These appointments are supported by Sport England and the Environment Agency and each of the new officers will concentrate on a specific region. Their work is a vital step for the Trust in its new role of promoting angling to a new audience.

Working with key partners, these regional officers will establish an infrastructure to develop the sport of angling within England. This includes working alongside national, regional and local angling and non-angling organisations to:

* Develop regional angling development plans

* Provide local leadership

* Support the development of coaches

* Develop clubs and volunteers

* Establish regional development frameworks

* Establish a safe environment for young people to participate in angling

* Communicate the work of the Angling Trust across their region

* Identify the issues affecting Angling Trust members in their region

* Co-ordinate a showcase event as part of National Fishing Week

Jackie Sheldon, Senior Development Manager for the Angling Development Board - soon to be merged with the Angling Trust - says of the appointments, "This is an exciting era and a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile and the wider benefits of angling to society as a whole.  These Regional Officers are a team of highly motivated and enthusiastic professionals who bring a diverse range of skills and expertise to angling. The team will make a significant impact upon the promotion and development of angling throughout England, in particular supporting the development of angling clubs, fisheries and coaches".

A key feature of their role will be to work with a wide range of partners such as the Environment Agency, British Waterways, County Sport Partnerships, Local Authorities, clubs, fisheries and coaches to increase opportunities for people from all backgrounds to take up angling and especially young people.

Mark Lloyd, chief executive of the Trust says of the appointments, "Now we have these regional officers in place we can build on the excellent work of the Angling Development Board in recent years to bring a professional approach to the recruitment of new anglers. Each officer brings a wealth of enthusiasm and experience to our organisation. This is an important step in the creation of the governing and representative body for all angling".

The Regional Officers are: Julian Taylor (East Midlands), Darren Birch (North West), Dean Sandford (South West), Daniel Williams (South East & London), Jonathon Wilson (East), Richard Hadley (West Midlands), Daniel Ramm (Yorkshire and National Child Protection Lead) and Ben Thompson - (North East). More details can be found at www.anglingtrust.net

Scottish Team: (Left to right) Dave Proudfoot, Bryce Watson, Mike Horn, Steve Souter, Scott Gibson, Derek Yuille, Donnie Morrison

A strong Scotland Team ran out deserved victors in this years Home Nations Boat Championships in Scrabster but were pushed all the way by a determined England Team in one of the closest contests in recent years. The winning Scottish combination of Steve Souter, Bryce Watson, Scott Gibson, Derek Yulle and Donnie Morrison took a narrow 6% lead into day two ahead of England's Cliff Newbold, Dave Shay, Gary Galbraith, Steve Clements and Mike Patton. Day two was almost as close as Wales and Ireland also piled on the pressure with their own separate battle to avoid the wooden spoon. Although both Scotland and England lost ground on their day one results it was Scotland who held their nerve best to win with a total of 889 points to England's 865. Wales took the bronze with 670 with a plucky Ireland finishing on 562 points. Top individual performer was England's Cliff Newbold who scored a perfect 200 points over the two days which completes a superb run of results for the Pompey angler. Fish caught included coalfish, cod, Pollack, ling and wrasse in one of the highest scoring Championships for many years. Next years event is in Belmullet, Ireland for what will be an eagerly awaited contest for all concerned.

Ray Ashby, England Manager

Zac Harrow from Swansea decided to give Mumbles Pier ago to try and catch one of the elusive Smoothhound's that have started to show from the venue.  He used 12lb main line and a pennel pulley with fresh peeler crab cast at around 30yds, it was not long before his bait was picked up and the fight started, the fish made seven attempts to snag him up on the piers structure but never did manage to get free.

After some 15 minutes the fish was eased into the drop net and lifted up on to the pier, he could not get over the size of the fish and on the scales it went to 17lb 12oz.  This fish is well over the Welsh record which stands at just over15.75lbs. To say he was delighted was an understatement. After the weighing and photo's taken the fish was returned safely to the water and swam of none the worse for wear.  A claim has gone into the WFSA to have the fish verified as a new Welsh record. This should be verified at the next NEC meeting in July.

Mike Dixon, WFSA Press Officer

Archie Foord won the Junior Section of Torbay & Babbacombe ASA Members' Rover Competition with this superb Male Ballan Wrasse 4 lbs 1 oz caught from rough ground from a boat - Sunday 7th June 2009 - Photo courtesy of Nigel Foord.  Congratulations Archie, our Ian Golds prize winner this month.

Full competition details here

Discount Fishing Tackle supplied by Tacklebargains

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