Angling trust need help of local coaches at Isle of Wight family fishing events next spring

The Angling Trust is looking to cast the net out to train and develop angling coaches on the Isle of Wight to help deliver a spring programme of family fishing events.

As the winter months set in, Dean Asplin, an angling development officer at the Trust, is appealing for keen anglers across the island to come forwards and develop their skills and benefit the community.

Each spring the Angling Trust funds a series of ‘Spring Into Fishing’ family-friendly events however in order to do so they need to train and accredit angling coaches to deliver the important work.

Fishing is being increasingly acknowledged for its mental health and wellbeing benefits, where people can get together and learn a new skill, connect with nature and enjoy the tranquillity of the experience.

The Angling Trust needs more anglers from all disciplines sea, game and coarse fishing to take on coaching roles.

Dean Asplin, Angling Development Officer for the South of England, said:

“The Isle of Wight has become a huge area of focus for us as while it’s got a fantastic fishing offer, we don’t have many qualified angling coaches to support us in developing community events.”

“We need existing anglers who enjoy sharing their skills to step forward and take on the next leap of becoming a Level 1 of Level 2 qualified coach.”

“This will mean that everyone – not just tourists- can flock to the shores and reel in the mental health benefits – which our communities are in crucial need of. Angling is a low cost to no cost sport and really is accessible to all, but we can’t achieve this unless we have coaches.”

Earlier this year, as part of acknowledging the importance of community outreach work, the Angling Trust launched its ‘We Fish As One’ campaign that highlights the benefits of the activity for all.

Dean is particularly interested in reaching people from all backgrounds including women, disabled people and those who are most vulnerable in our communities to support long term mental health and wellbeing opportunities.

If you’re interested in finding out about what funding is available to contribute towards an angling coaching qualification, email [email protected].

The Angling Trust’s We Fish as One campaign – #WeFishAsOne
Capitalising on the recent interest in angling during and since Covid lockdowns, the campaign promotes the sport’s community building opportunities, mental health benefits and consistently strong safeguarding record. Angling has a unique and timely offering to address key insights that speak of ongoing barriers to inclusivity. Currently just 7% of people who fish identify as ethnically diverse and a recent OnePoll survey for the Angling Trust revealed that 1 in 20 (6%) respondents said they didn’t feel represented in angling based on their gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or culture. Seven We Fish as One pilot sites across England have been identified as places to generate community partnerships, with particular focus given to: Women, parents and carers, ethnically diverse groups, young people, disabled people, LGBT+ communities and those with long-term health conditions. The Angling Trust’s We Fish as One campaign is duel funded by Sport England through it’s Uniting the Movement vision and the Environment Agency through rod fishing licence income.
For more information on the We Fish as One campaign please visit www/anglingtrust.net/getfishing/we-fish-as-one

The Get Fishing campaign to get more people fishing more often is funded by the Environment Agency from fishing licence income as part of the National Angling Strategic Services contract with the Angling Trust, and Sport England. Children under 13 do not need a licence, and licences for children aged between 13 and 16 are free but you still need to register and receive a licence in order to go fishing. You can get a licence for the full year, for 8 days (ideal for holidays!) or just a day’s fishing.

NOTE: Although young children who are under 13 year old do not need a licence to fish, the person supervising them needs the proper fishing licence to take hold of the rod or to help the child fish with it.

The Angling Trust’s ‘Get Fishing’ campaign is proudly supported by
Shakespeare, Exclusive Tackle Partner and Angling Direct, Exclusive Retail Partner
as we all work towards getting more people fishing, more often.