Optimism for big summer of match fishing

Match organisers remain hopeful that the sport’s big events, including Fish ‘O’ Mania, Maver Match This and the Division 1 & 2 Nationals, will go ahead later this year.

Although nothing can be set in stone given the current lockdown situation and uncertainty surrounding the lifting of restrictions, Andre Grandjean, Chairman of the Angling Trust’s Coarse Competitions Committee, is optimistic for a summer of big events.

“Our plans are full steam ahead,” he said.

“By June and July, when most of our events are due, we’re expecting that things will be okay to go ahead.

“One concern people have had is how and where we’ll fit the qualifiers for these events in, but most of these don’t start again until after April, and we anticipate that by then these will go ahead as planned, in a Covid-safe way of course.”

Maver’s Andy Kinder is the man behind the mega-money Match This event that unfortunately was cancelled last year. This time though, he’s hoping that event can take place.

“We managed to do around seven qualifiers last year, which frees up a bit of space in the calendar this time round,” he said. “While there’s still a way to go, I hope that the event will go ahead as planned.”

“By June and July, when most of our events are due, we’re expecting that things will be okay to go ahead.”