A successful week for Lymm Angling has seen the club awarded Clubmark status by the Angling Development Board as a result of successfully completing the required portfolio to achieve nationally recognised coaching standards.
March has been an important month for the club, in addition to the Clubmark accreditation, Junior Section Organiser Chris Finneran implemented free coaching sessions to all anglers aged 18 and under at Woodside Pool, near Dutton, Cheshire. Lymm AC is extremely proactive in their efforts to introduce youngsters to angling and as such offer an ‘Introduction to Angling’ course, aimed at newcomers to the sport. Consisting of a series of structured two hour sessions, the course aims to cover everything including basic angling methods, fish welfare, water safety and conservation within a supervised environment. Currently taking advantage of this fantastic opportunity is a group of 2nd Wharton Scouts who are amongst the first in the local area to complete the programme successfully. Every participant receives a free goodie bag of terminal tackle supplied by partners in the angling trade, and a certificate to mark their achievement.
In addition to the planned courses, Lymm AC also has a regular junior section, designed to introduce more experienced junior anglers to the match circuit at our Woodside base. All anglers receive tuition in a wide variety of disciplines to fully prepare them for the rigours of match fishing. Specific events are also to be held throughout the season to target species such as carp and barbel at other venues.
On hand to see the awarding of the Clubmark certificate, by Angling Development Board Implementation Officer Darren Birch, local councillor and former Lymm member Sheila Woodyatt enthused “This is a great program for the children, and it is fantastic that others are willing to give up their time to assist youngsters into angling”
The Clubmark accreditation will help the club to identify and access further funding streams to complete development of the site to provide a purpose built coaching facility. Lymm intend to construct classroom and toilet facilities to enable the staff and volunteers to deliver coaching programs throughout the winter months. The Junior Section is actively seeking to recruit additional corporate sponsors to work in partnership with the club. Later in 2011 the Junior Section intend to enter candidates for the first Open College Network (OCN) Angling Courses which cover a wide range of citizenship, core curriculum and angling based subjects within the prospectus. Also available, in association with local partners, youngsters will be eligible to complete many of the units involved in Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Award schemes.
The club has been very fortunate to receive grants from Warrington Borough Council and Sport England to help buy equipment to be used for coaching. Vale Royal Angling Centre has also afforded huge assistance by offering tackle and equipment to the Junior Section at a heavily discounted price.
For more information or to find out what benefits sponsorship can bring to your business, contact Chris Finneran on 07525360804 or visit www.lymmanglersclub.com and follow the link for juniors.
