Both the 6th FIPSed Veterans and the 15th Disabled World Championships will be held together in the same country in the same town, and on the same river this year. Bosnia and Herzergovena will be host to each of these competitions on the river Krupa in Capljina during the weekend of the 10th and 11th of August 2013, and the Angling Trust will be represented in both events.
Reigning Veterans World Champion, Joe Roberts is in the team once again and is looking forward to retaining his crown which he won last year in Portugal.
All the members of last year’s team gold medalists have been retained, and the squad has been further strengthened with the inclusion of the country’s top team manager Steve Sanders. Steve’s pedigree is second to none, not only is he captain of the all conquering Dorking Team but he is also manager of England’s very successful Sensas under 18 squad.
Dick Clegg OBE, International Events Manager, of the Angling Trust will once more take charge of the Veterans and is extremely excited about the trip to Bosnia and Herzergovena.
Dick stated, “This is my 30th year of international fishing and by taking one of the strongest squads we have had in this competition I expect to come back with a medal. Our Veterans are currently ranked number one team in the world and I see no reason why this should change. We understand that catches will be dominated by bolo and slider fishing with much less pole work, so it will not be easy, but this team is very experienced and we can win gold again.”
The England Veterans squad are; Terry Lancaster, Roger Marlow, Dicky Carr, Joe Roberts, Steve Sanders and Manager Dick Clegg. Team helpers are; Tony Troth and Bill Galt.
At the same time and only a short distance away the Disabled team will compete again after missing out on taking part last year because of the lack of funding available.
The type of fishing will be the same on this section of river as it is for the Veterans, but it will create more of a challenge for the disabled anglers. To make up the points structure of World Championship rules some anglers will find it quite difficult to fish at distance with sliders, even though they may have a helper. Never the less three members of the team have a great deal of experience in fishing World Championships and newcomer Mike Cove will be a good addition to what is a very talented squad.
Dick Clegg, OBE, International Events Manager, Angling Trust said, “The Manager John Weeden has done an excellent job in the past, and I know he is hoping to make the podium this year. One advantage we have is that because both the Veterans and Disabled events are located close by each other we will be able to work together to come up with a team plan that could benefit everyone.”
The England Disabled Team will consist of; Mark Eves, Alan Chadbone, Mark Russell, Mick Cove, John Weeden (Manager), and official helpers, Mark Wells, Mick Gibbs and Geoff Lewis.
Both these teams are still looking for any kind of sponsorship, or donations to help with the costs of participation as no money is available from any government department, and subsequently all the costs have to be provided by the participants, or by fund raising.
The Angling Trust wish both teams all the very best in participating in the World Championships this year.
