Sea angling greats Sam Collier and Saul Page named Angling Trust Ambassadors

Two of sea angling’s most respected match fishing figures have accepted invitations to become Angling Trust Ambassadors.

Sam Collier, who has competed across Europe for Team England and managed Team England Shore Teams, and Saul Page, a dominant force on the match scene who earlier this year secured his fifth consecutive UK Sea League title, have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

Sam Collier believes the enduring appeal of fishing lies in its diversity and inclusivity.

“It’s accessible to anyone and its disciplines are vast,” he said. “No matter what’s going on in your life, fishing provides the opportunity for escapism, time with friends, time alone in nature, or the chance to test your skills and compete. How, where and when you choose to fish is up to you, but the benefits to your overall wellbeing are well documented.

“I’ve always loved to fish – like many others, it’s part of my identity. While I enjoy all disciplines, fishing in the sea from the shore is my absolute passion. I’ve been fortunate to compete on the world stage representing Team England on the continent, and to manage our shore teams here against the home nations.

“The Angling Trust is our sport’s representative body, and in recent years it has made a dedicated effort to raise the profile of sea angling. Membership supports the sport we love and helps protect it for the future.”

Saul Page said it was “an honour and a privilege” to be asked to become an Angling Trust Ambassador.

“Angling has been in my life since I was a young boy and has seen me through some tough times in my life,” said Saul. “It has enabled me to meet lots of other likeminded anglers and people all over the world, and I have made some great friends over the years because of this. It has set a real challenge in my life in the competitive sense, but it has always given me time to socialise and spend time with friends whilst away competing.

“There is a great camaraderie in the match scene and amongst anglers. It is impossible to put into words, and you must be part of it to experience it. Everyone is there for everyone when the question is asked of someone. Lifelong friendships are what you get from fishing in my opinion, and that is something that is not to be overlooked.

“With our mental health taking such a battering from day-to-day life, it is great to just escape it through fishing, where you are out in the fresh air away from all the worries you might have, even if only for a few hours, to allow you time to reset and move forward.

“The match scene is getting more competitive, and I believe this is because more people are visually seeing the results as the Angling Trust are covering more events and making them more visible to the public. It is giving people the bug to want to get involved in competitive fishing at every level from club to the world stage.

“I am very proud to support the Angling Trust in promoting the sport and encouraging more people to get involved.”

Jamie Cook, Angling Trust CEO, described both Sam and Saul as “two of the greats” of sea angling who have earned the respect of their fellow anglers.

He added: “The Angling Trust is proud to welcome Sam and Saul as ambassadors and looks forward to working with them to promote the benefits of sea angling and ensure the sport continues to thrive for future generations.”