 Inside
Story
In
this 'mad media-world' of 'bad news is good news' - it's a pleasant
change to hear of a success story.
 Glyn
Williams is the Angling Development Officer for the NFA - you might
have met him on the bankside, or at one of the NFA's numerous activities.
He gives the appearance of a business-like, hard-working professional,
who's seen it all - coped with it all - and still comes back for more.
But not many people realise how much hard work people like Glyn and
the NFA actually do, and the effect they can have, so here's some inside
information that Glyn shared with us recently.
This story is about a young special needs angler, who benefited from
one of the NFA’s 'Taster Sessions' held at 'Fish O' Mania’,
Hayfield Lakes, during the school holidays in the summer. (We have with-held
his name and photos).
At the time the youngster possessed very little self confidence or communication
skills. When he first arrived at the NFA Registration Stand he was reluctant
to sit on a fishing basket to try and catch a fish. Glyn - who organised
the event - advised his parents not to force him into doing something
that he did not really want to do, but just to let him stand behind
some of the other kids who were having a 20-minute 'Taster Session'
in the hope that he might just change his mind.
About an hour later they were back at the stand - and the youngster
was raring to have a go - and within seven minutes of sitting on the
basket - he caught his first ever big carp.
This boosted his confidence - enough to leave his parents side - and
mix and communicate with the other kids a little.
After the school holiday's, his head teacher could not believe the transformation
that had occurred. When he asked the parents what had caused such a
change - their answer was quite simple "We have taken him fishing
with the NFA"
Glyn admits, "It still brings a lump to my throat everytime I look
at these pictures, and I am not too ashamed to admit that I have tears
in my eyes whilst I am typing this copy, because the outcome of this
success story is one of the most rewarding achievements during my coaching
career, and it will remain with me for the rest of my life. His family
all think that angling is great."
Perhaps the third paragraph should have read : But not many people realise
how much hard work people like Glyn and the NFA actually do, the effect
they can have - and the effect it has on them...- Ed.
Good fishing to you all
Kevin Miles
Editor
|