NEW 100k fund to boost angling participation
A BUMPER new £100k ‘Get Fishing Fund’ has been created to help support new and returning anglers, and the good news is that you can apply for a slice of the cash to help your club.
The Get Fishing Fund will help support new and returning anglers
The new initiative, announced by the Environment Agency and Angling Trust, has been created using extra cash from 2020’s boom in rod licence sales.
Grants of up to £500 are available for small-scale projects, while larger ones can apply for up to £5,000. Funding can go towards any events that aim to boost angling participation and can cover the costs of tackle and bait, as well as associated resources such as storage facilities.
Graeme Storey, Fisheries Manager for the EA, hopes that the fund will help even more newcomers enter the sport and continue the momentum gathered this year.
“We’re always looking for ways to support angling,” he said,
“and (overall) the Agency has invested £1.5m of the additional income from this year’s licence sales back into projects to improve fisheries.
“The increased interest in fishing over the summer proves that people are not only rediscovering angling, but more people are trying it for the first time. We want to see this continue and hope that the projects will encourage more people to try fishing.”
A few months back Angling Times spoke to Bryan Dray of Wellingborough and District AS, who along with other club members, runs a lot of junior events. We asked him where he wanted to see the additional rod licence money invested. Unsurprisingly, providing coaching events was top of his agenda, so he was understandably delighted with the new fund’s creation.
“It’s brilliant news” he said.
“Finding funds is difficult, particularly between now and Easter, so having this cash available is a real boost, especially at club level. One of our biggest difficulties is storing equipment securely, so knowing the fund can help is fantastic. We’ll definitely be applying.”
To apply for funding visit: grants.anglingtrust.net
£150,000 boost to community angling projects
COMMUNITY angling projects hit by Covid-19 will continue to provide vital support to minority groups thanks to a £150,000 boost of National Lottery money.
The cash, which has been awarded to the Angling Trust by Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund, will ensure socio-economic groups, ethnic communities and people with disabilities and PTSD will be able to continue engaging with the sport they love as the pandemic continues.
Clive Copeland, Head of Participation at the Trust, said:
“The funding means that hundreds of people will be able to remain connected with the exceptional work funded projects provide.
“Our sport should be accessible regardless of ability, gender, income, race, demographic or place – but Covid-19 is preventing that. This award will mean that work can continue to allow angling for all.”
The news is music to the ears of community involvement charities like Get Hooked on Fishing, which specialises in creating opportunities for young adults through angling.
Its CEO, Sarah Collins, added:
“Rules on social distancing have had a big effect on some of our projects, but knowing there’s money available to help charities like ourselves get back on track is a huge boost.”
The cash has been awarded to the Angling Trust by Sport England’s Tackling Inequalities Fund