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 new 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
