Nottingham club lands £50,000 coaching grant

One of the UK’s biggest angling clubs has been awarded £50,000 of funding to create a teaching facility on the banks of one of its flagship waters to bring new blood into the sport.

Nottingham Anglers Association has this week revealed that it’s secured a hefty slice of National Lottery money from Sport England’s Inspired Facilities Fund that will be used to create an Angling Coaching Centre at its Bestwood Duck Ponds Complex in Papplewick, Notts.

The centre, which is due for completion in December this year, will feature a classroom where youngsters will be taught the fundamentals of angling including watercraft, knot and rig tying.

They will then be able to take these skills on to a well-stocked, snake-style lake where they will be taken under the wing of the association’s qualified coaches.

“We are delighted to have secured this investment,” said NAA, secretary and project manager David Turner. “We will now have a dedicated angling coaching centre to support our junior development programme and ensure that we keep youngsters coming through.

“The kids can go straight from the school environment out onto the lake so that they will be able to put what they’ve learnt in the classroom straight into practice.

“It’s vital that we get kids away from computer games and off street corners to show them that they can have great fun with their mates and help the environment, plus learn skills that will last a lifetime,” he added.

The scheme, which will involve local schools, youth clubs and other groups, has the full support of Nottinghamshire Police who is actively encouraging young people and their families to make use of the new facilities.

 “It’s very important that young people become involved in healthy outdoor activities such as fishing. It allows them to learn new skills, meet and interact with new people while doing something interesting and rewarding,” said Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping.

To find out more about the teaching facility visit: www.nottinghamanglers.co.uk
The Inspired Facilities Fund is now an open programme which means projects can submit applications as soon as they are ready rather than being restricted by a specific deadline.

To find out more and bid, visit www.sportengland.org/inspiredfacilities.

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