Angling to Benefit from BingoLotto

The National Federation of Anglers is delighted to announce it will be amongst the beneficiaries of BingoLotto - a new TV game which will raise money for sport and the voluntary sector.
BingoLotto will be a weekly game broadcast on digital TV channels Virgin1 and Challenge. Tickets will be on sale from outlets around the country and will allow viewers to take part in the BingoLotto game from the comfort of their own homes, with a 1 in 9.5 chance of winning.
The BingoLotto game has run in Sweden since 1991 where it has raised just under £1bn for charities and sports organisations. At least 20% from each ticket sold in the UK will be distributed to sport and recreation projects up and down the country. Profits from the show will be distributed to the governing and representative bodies of sport.
The funding the NFA will receive will be spent on new and enhanced programmes of activity at the grassroots or on special projects, like infrastructure improvement and capacity building, for which funding is currently unavailable.
The game will also provide valuable profile to a wide range of sports and activities by featuring them on the weekly show and on the BingoLotto website. The NFA will support the game by promoting it to anglers; providing examples and case studies of how the proceeds have been spent for the TV show; and by identifying current and future stars from angling to appear on the show when required. The more tickets are sold each week, the more angling benefits.
Paul Baggaley, NFA, Chief Executive commented, "We all hope that BingoLotto is a big success helping angling receive additional funding which will help us increase participation and get more people fishing, more often. We will also be pushing to link the entry process of BingoLotto into tackle shops, which will help drive customers into store further enhancing BingoLotto's benefit to angling."

Industry Backs NFA

30th January 2008

The angling industry has come together to get behind the National Federation of Anglers and show their support for the development of angling through membership of the Governing Body for freshwater angling.

Since the launch of the NFA's three new commercial memberships for fisheries, tackle shops and manufacturers at the end of 2007, the NFA has seen a great response from all three groups.

Last year the NFA spent £40,000 promoting angling to a wider audience, with fisheries and tackle companies all recognising the importance of getting new people into the sport. The key aim of the NFA is to get more people fishing more often and the trades support can only enhance that effort.

Organisations such as Drennan, Hardy and Greys, Korda and Mistral Baits among others have signed up to support angling and they all understand that by supporting the development and promotion of the sport, it directly affects their business as more anglers means more customers. Andy Petherick, Marketing Manager at Hardy and Greys commented, "It's vital that the industry ensures new blood is coming into the sport. We like the proactive nature of the NFA, also the fact that they realise that for too long angling groups have been preaching to the converted. We need to think outside of the box on this."

The tackle shop community have also shown outstanding support with a number of shops coming on board in just a few weeks. We asked Richard Takel from Exe Valley Angling tackle shop commented, "I joined the NFA because they deserve some support as they are doing a lot of good work for angling, such as their education programme which gets more young people fishing. The NFA is getting more people fishing more often which is great for me as it means for customers through the door and is definitely worth supporting."

With the growing number of commercial fisheries, there is a need to create more customers to sustain their business and recognising this fact they have also joined the NFA's March to Increase Participation. Various fisheries joined up including high profile Angel of the North fishery whose owner Ann Adlington stated, "The way forward for the industry is for everyone to work together to support angling. For us promoting the sport is part and parcel of what a fishery must do and the NFA have shown great foresight and vision for the future of our sport."

More people fishing more often can only help sustain and develop the club scene, providing enthusiastic newcomers to train as coaches and volunteers and to increase the capacity of the sport at local level. Linking into competitions and the competition network the NFA want to develop more regular and sustainable angling raising the profile of angling as an exciting, accessible and equitable sport.

The NFA is delighted with the response; however we still need more organisations to help get more people fishing, more often. Last year our coaching programme introduced thousands of people into the sport and we would like to see similar levels over the coming year with our educational programme. It is only with your help that we can achieve these objectives, and help grow the angling industry into the power that it should be. If you would like to join The March to Increase Participation please visit our website, www.nfadirect.com or call 0115 981 3535 for details. Alternatively to discuss this in more detail please email or call tom.goldspink@nfadirect.com who can answer your questions.

13/12/07
The NFA has delivered coaching to over 2,000 people in the South West this year in conjunction with the Environment Agency through angling participation days.
The angling participation days which have been held all over the region stretching from Gloucestershire to Cornwall are organised by the EA and the NFA regional coaching team. One of the best days that the team had was at the Rackerhayes complex near Newton Abbot where over 260 participants had a chance to try their hand at coarse, sea and game fishing.
The number of people coached is testament to the regional team and the level of commitment they have shown to introducing more people into angling. One of the key objectives of the NFA is to introduce more people into the sport, and the role which coaching has in this is paramount.
NFA Senior Regional Coach for the South West, Danny Williamson, was pleased with the success of events run in the region and the potential for those who took part to get involved in the sport, commenting, “Many of the participants have shown an interest in joining the local clubs and continue to fish in the future”.
Paul Baggaley, Chief Executive of the NFA commented, “This is a story which is replicated across the country with the NFA and EA providing thousands of people with their first taste of angling through angling participation days and other events. Introducing over 2,000 people to angling is a major success and we will be hoping that a significant number of these continue to participate in the sport through their local angling club. The NFA are is about promoting sustainable participation and that benefits the whole of the sport”.
Richard Wightman, EA commented, "We have funded a high proportion of the coaches needed to support angling's development. I am delighted that in South West England these coaches are now active and are working closely with our staff to help so many young people to try fishing for the first time. Hopefully local angling clubs and fishery owners can pick-up on, and benefit from, the interest we're creating and help thousands more kids into a lifetime of angling enjoyment."

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Angling Meets Minister for Sport

13/12/2007
The first angling students to complete the ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ OCN qualification developed by the National Federation of Anglers, the Governing Body for Freshwater Angling have been presented with their certificates by Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe MP and Martin Salter MP on Thursday 29th November at Portcullis House, London.
The students were all from River Leen School in Bulwell, Nottingham and were the first in the country to undertake the NFA’s ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ as part of their extra curriculum activity. With both the Minister for Sport, Gerry Sutcliffe and the Parliamentary Spokesman for Angling, Martin Salter MP recognising their achievements, it shows the important role that angling as a sport has to play in educating young people about the environment and also working to the ‘learning outside the classroom’ government agenda.
Parliamentary Spokesman for Angling, Martin Salter MP commented "It was a real privilege to be able to host in the House of Commons the presentation of certificates to the first ever group of students to achieve an angling qualification as part of their school curriculum. I have long argued that the way to promote angling is to teach it in schools and colleges and I would like to congratulate all the young people, their coaches and the National Federation of Anglers on this groundbreaking piece of work. I hope we will be able to roll out this scheme the length and breadth of the country. And who knows, in years to come, some of these young people may go on to achieve great things in our sport as a result of being inspired to take up fishing at school."
The Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe complimented the young anglers on their enthusiasm stating "This qualification can help get more young people into angling and build up a passion for the sport. I congratulate the students who completed the Introduction to Angling and the Environment course and I am encouraged by how the time spent on the river bank helped contribute to improvements in the classroom, highlighting the wider power of sport."
Since these students started the course back in 2006, there have been over 100 course packs sent out to schools, youth groups and other organisations who work with young people looking to use angling as an education tool. In one instance, there is an organisation which has already registered 8 courses since the start of the NFA’s education programme. With such an interest in angling within these types of organisation, this is a very positive step for developing future participants in the sport and also using angling as a tool for education.
On the course they learnt about water safety, the countryside code, photosynthesis, the water cycle, pondlife, fish anatomy and fish welfare. Students also developed their numeracy and literacy skills whilst learning about curriculum subjects including geography and biology. Their attainment on the bank was also met with improvement in the classroom as their patience, concentration and attendance levels improved significantly.

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Anglers’ Lines Now in Store

The latest edition of the FREE NFA newspaper, Anglers’ Lines, is now available in selected tackle shops for anglers to pick up and find out the latest developments in their Governing Body.
The Anglers’ Lines, is created by the NFA to help inform anglers on the latest news within their sport and also show we are supporting the sport through our coaching, education and club development programmes.
In this edition we provide an update on the close season which we have addressed in previous papers. We also cover the latest issues which affect everyone in the sport, including articles on sea angling and proposed licensing introductions. We also ask are utility companies taking their responsibility to anglers seriously?
We also show the latest ways that the NFA has been working all over the country to help introduce more people into the sport through our coaching and education initiatives. Including our South West regions superb achievement of introducing over 2,000 people.
The paper also features a round up of the national and international competitions which have taken place over the summer, with an exclusive interview from World Champion, Alan Scotthorne.
In a new feature this month, you can also read notes from the Specimen Hunter himself, Julian Taylor Clubs & Volunteers Development Officer for the Angling Development Board who will give you some great tips to get the most out of your fishing this winter.
Finally, you also have the chance to win a free copy of John Wilson’s latest book, ‘John Wilson’s, 1001 Top Angling Tips’.
To find your local stockist of the Anglers’ Lines please visit the NFA online tackle shop directory at www.nfadirect.com which lists all stores whom have partnered with the NFA to stock copies of the newspaper.
Tom Goldspink, Marketing & Development Officer for the NFA stated, “The Anglers’ Lines has gone from strength to strength since we launched the newspaper over a year ago. With a growing circulation helping more and more people see what is happening within angling, I would urge every angler to go down to their local tackle shop and pick up their free copy.”

Scunthorpe School Teaches Angling

The NFA has started its first ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ N-OCN course in partnership with Fladen Fishing and Sportsmatch at St Hugh's Communication and Interaction Specialist College in Scunthorpe recently.
The partnership between Fladen Fishing and Sportsmatch allows 10 youth projects to be the recipients of Fladen Fishing angling equipment and receive funding for a Level One angling coach to be trained courtesy of Sportsmatch.
St Hugh’s is a Specialist College for students aged between 11 and 19 years with a wide range of moderate/complex learning difficulties associated with physical/social needs. The school will have 5 youngsters undertake the course where they will learn key environmental topics including the water cycle and the importance of water, the food chain and increase their awareness of the plants and animals which inhabit the aquatic environment.
The students will learn all about these areas and will also get a taste of the fun and healthy sport of angling which is enjoyed by millions of people throughout the UK every year. Angling is not just about going fishing to catch fish but also to help people appreciate the environment in which it takes place.
The youngsters started fishing at Grange Park Aquatics where they learnt about the basics of angling and begin to learn about the environment. The youngsters had the additional excitement of the TV cameras with ITV, BBC and BBC Radio all covering the session.
Richard Wightman, who leads on angling for the Environment Agency, is very pleased to see an initiative that helps young people to take up fishing and benefit from its many facets. "We know that angling is incredibly popular among young people of all backgrounds and abilities. Often it is simply the lack of opportunity and a little bit of help that prevents more kids from enjoying the fun of fishing. Projects like this one by NFA/Fladen are vital in helping overcome those simple barriers - especially in our urban areas. It's why we helped fund the OCN course development". He went on to say that it is also vital that angling opportunities in urban areas are protected and created. "Once interested in fishing these kids must have somewhere safe and local to go, otherwise it's unlikely they will continue. People like local authorities and developers can help a great deal in this respect".
Roberta Fulford, Assistant Head Teacher at the school commented, “Angling is a very popular sport in the area and this is an ideal opportunity for the students to take part. The NFA’s ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ will be dual accredited as part of the AQA Unit Award Scheme and N-OCN, giving the students a real sense of achievement throughout the course. Angling will help the students develop new skills and open their horizons to a sport which they can easily get involved with outside of school. Everyone is really looking forward to the start of the programme, none more so than the students themselves.”
Brian Hull, NFA Angling Education Officer commented, “This is a great start to the scheme and its good to see the ‘Introduction to Angling & the Environment’ course providing opportunities for everyone to get involved in angling within the local community.”

Tailor-made insurance for angling clubs

The NFA are pleased to announce through partnership with Blythin and Brown Insurance and Sports Cover that we can now offer the most comprehensive and best value insurance policy available for angling clubs.
The NFA has spent a number of months devising the package and has worked with a number of key partners including angling clubs to establish a new insurance policy which truly meets the needs of clubs.
Club insurance is an essential part of any club infrastructure and all clubs no matter what size must have comprehensive cover in an ever increasing litigious world!

Frank Lythgoe receive Warrington Clubmark Award

Frank Lythgoe, Secretary of over 7,000 members Warrington Angling Association commented, “The new NFA insurance in association with Blythin and Brown is tailor made for angling clubs and is the most comprehensive cover in the market we could find. In other words it could be extremely beneficial and not just financially for fellow clubs and associations to consider a quote from Blythin & Brown. Warrington Angling Association saved approximately £700 on our insurance bill for this year by changing and acquired better cover.”
Shaun Miller, Secretary of Radcliffe Angling Society and has been one of the first to benefit from the new insurance deal commenting, “The NFA introduced us to Blythin and Brown and they have been brilliant in meeting our needs and creating a package which covers everything that Radcliffe Angling Society requires. With our old insurance policy we had huge problems with local authorities as the insurance cover was not sufficient and we were actually only covered for 50% of any claim and would have only been able to make one claim per year! We also found that the trustees of the club were not covered; our old policy could have ended in disaster.
Now we are with Blythin and Brown we are confident that we are fully covered and the trustees have indemnity from any claim which may occur. We have had a great service from both the NFA and the insurers to make sure that our every need is met. Not only do we have a much more comprehensive policy, but we have got one at half the price, the NFA has saved us well over £500 on our previous cover!”
Paul Evans from Blythin & Brown comments, “I congratulate the NFA on achieving this fantastic deal for it’s Members. The NFA has achieved these savings by using the bulk buying power it possesses through the Governing Body status of the federation. Through Blythin & Brown, members can obtain instant quotations from our office during normal working hours, but in the near future we will fully automate the process on a new dedicated website.
In the meantime Members are welcome to contact me directly on 01509 230 871 or email paul@blythinandbrown.co.uk. Civil Liability Cover can be bound immediately and we will always ensure a comprehensive service that meets all their needs including retrospective cover for clubs moving away from a claims made policy, property insurances or Club Officers’ Indemnity.”
To follow in the footsteps of Radcliffe and Warrington and save money on your club insurance you will need to be affiliated to the NFA directly.

For further details of any articles on this page, please visit the NFA website, www.nfadirect.com/clubinsurance or call us directly on 0115 981 3535.