Learn, Coach, Support, Welfare: Explore Opportunities with the Angling Trust’s New Training Courses

As the National Governing Body for angling in England, the Angling Trust is committed to supporting anglers, clubs, fisheries, coaches and volunteers with high-quality, accessible training opportunities.

Through the Angling Trust Training Portal powered by EtrainU, learners can now access a growing range of online and blended training courses designed to improve skills, increase confidence and ensure consistent, up-to-date knowledge across the sport.

Whether you want to become a qualified coach, support participation events, strengthen safeguarding within your club or take part in the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna recreational fishery, the Training Portal provides an easy and efficient way to access training and book relevant in-person sessions.

Training courses can be found here

Once enrolled and payment has been processed where applicable, learners will usually receive access to their online training modules within two to three working days. Any required in-person sessions can then be booked directly through the system.

Supporting Angling Through Education and Development

The Training Portal plays an important role in supporting the Angling Trust’s coaching and participation programmes. It helps ensure that coaches, volunteers and welfare officers across the country are working from the same up-to-date guidance and standards.

The courses are designed not only to improve technical knowledge, but also to create safe, welcoming and enjoyable environments that encourage more people to get involved in fishing.

Current courses available through the Training Portal include:

Angling Coach Qualification and Licensing

The Angling Coach Qualification is aimed at individuals aged 18 and over who want to plan and deliver structured angling coaching sessions and support people to learn and develop within the sport.

Licensed Angling Trust coaches play a key role in introducing new participants to fishing, developing angling skills and delivering safe, enjoyable and well-structured sessions. Coaches support initiatives including Get Fishing events, club activities and wider participation programmes, helping more people discover angling and progress within the sport.

The qualification is a core requirement for becoming a Licensed Angling Trust Coach and provides the knowledge and practical understanding needed to deliver high-quality coaching experiences.

Event Support Volunteer

The Event Support Volunteer (ESV) course is designed for individuals aged 16 and over who want to support Licensed Angling Trust Coaches in delivering participation sessions and introducing more people to fishing.

Event Support Volunteers assist at initiatives such as Get Fishing events, CAST sessions and other structured coaching activities. Volunteers may help set up equipment, support participants during sessions, assist with managing fishing areas and contribute to creating welcoming and positive first experiences for newcomers to angling.

The role is an excellent entry point for people who want to support coaching activity within clubs and communities and potentially progress further within coaching pathways.

Safe Clubs and Fisheries (Welfare Officer)

Safeguarding remains a vital part of creating safe and inclusive angling environments. The Safe Clubs and Fisheries (Welfare Officer) course is intended for individuals appointed as Welfare Officers within angling clubs, fisheries or federations.

Welfare Officers act as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns and help organisations understand and implement good safeguarding practice. The training supports clubs and fisheries in providing safe, welcoming and well-managed environments for children, young people and adults involved in angling activities.

Importantly, Welfare Officer training is provided free of charge.

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Fishery Training for Participants

The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch-and-Release Recreational Fishery Training is a mandatory requirement for individuals who have received a provisional permit offer from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) as part of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Catch-and-Release Recreational Fishery (CRRF).

This includes vessel masters and any other individuals named within the permit application who require training.

The programme includes both online learning and an in-person training event, ensuring participants understand the standards expected for safety, fish welfare and regulatory compliance within the fishery.

While the training page is publicly accessible, the course itself is available only to provisional CRRF permit holders and authorised individuals. All bookings are verified against the provisional permit list supplied to the Angling Trust by the MMO before training access is granted.

The Angling Trust does not allocate permits, and completion of the training does not guarantee permit issuance, which remains the responsibility of the MMO.

Discounts, Free Training and Upgrade Opportunities

The Angling Trust is also supporting existing coaches and volunteers through a range of discounts and upgrade opportunities as part of the transition to updated training pathways.

These include:

• Existing Level 1 Assistant Coaches being able to upgrade to become fully licensed Angling Trust Coaches for £100 by requesting an L1 Upgrade code via [email protected].
• Existing Level 2 coaches being transferred onto the new course free of charge.
• Existing Event Support Volunteers receiving ESV training free of charge and receiving £50 discount for the Angling Coach Qualification — learners should contact [email protected] before booking to obtain a discount code.
• Environment Agency Coach Bursary recipients being advised to contact their Development Officer before booking in order to obtain their bursary code.
• Welfare Officer training remaining free.

Investing in the Future of Angling

From coaching and participation to safeguarding and specialist fisheries training, the Angling Trust Training Portal is helping create a stronger, safer and more knowledgeable angling community.

By providing accessible learning opportunities and clear development pathways, the Training Portal supports volunteers, coaches and clubs in delivering high-quality experiences that encourage more people to enjoy fishing and stay involved in the sport for years to come.

Click here to explore the available courses and begin your learning journey