The document provides some valuable statistics and evidence on how angling can have positive effects on all who take part. It could prove useful as support for funding bids, grants, coaching proposals etc to help you continue the good work that you do.

You can read more about it and download the free report (pdf) at Angling Research Resources.

- Naidre Werner

After several conversations they have now sponsored Nick Watkins, Rob Walmsley, Jim Coffey and Trevor Savoury directly. Part of this deal is the supply of their new range of tackle and bait designed for the commercial and specimen angler. The Transformer Chair, Brolly, Day Shelter, Rod Bag, Holdalls and Fish Frenzy range of bait are just part of the equipment being supplied.

For our part we will be covering some of the Nash Roadshows and writing articles for their website and for magazines.

This has already started with Nick filming a winter carp article with Paul and will be making a promotional video later this week.

A fantastic offer from Nash and one that will certainly put the PAA’s name firmly on the map.

Nick Watkins, All About Coarse Angling

We were even invited to the gala dinner and awards presentation where one of our number, Jimmy Coffey (who has been recently co opted onto our board of directors) was given an award for Coach of the Year by National Fishing Month, an attractive, large but rather fragile glass groundbait bowl. He had to go up onto the stage to collect it and gave an excellent acceptance speech, although the last time I saw someone so reluctantly in the public eye they were in the dock at the Old Bailey. Some of the other speeches were more controversial and the less said about David Hall’s contribution the better. He flirted with every taboo I can think of and one or two that surprised even me.

The meal was excellent, the drink flowed freely and when the entertainment started towards the end of the evening I think I was the only sober person in the room (had to stop drinking twenty five years ago, occupational hazard in the Met) who noticed how dire the singing was. Watkins lost consciousness standing up in the bar but claims it was tiredness and several people looked a little jaded the next morning (nice sunglasses, Naidre!) but everyone soon perked up.

The show was great and I personally enjoyed every minute of it. Two days in the company of fellow coaches (and Naidre), some of whom I hadn’t seen for years, in a hall full of stands showing the latest fishing tackle and staffed by people who want to talk about it. What’s not to like? Is this how it will be in heaven? If so I’d better smarten up my act!

We managed to negotiate, confirm and renegotiate some great deals with manufacturers and importers, many of whom were more than generous and as a result I can see that the PAA has taken one more step to becoming what it was meant to be – a coaching support body. All it needs is for you guys to start using some of these deals otherwise we lose or credibility with the manufacturers.

Many thanks to Naidre and Eileen who managed to overcome the problem of a kettle with too much cojones for the electrical circuit, as supplied and therefore ensuring that those of us doing all the talking were able to keep our throats lubricated with tea and coffee throughout the two days, and to David Hall and T&G who made it all possible.

Martin Porter

Despite awful weather conditions, the PAA team came up trumps at the Fish O Mania, Cudmore event on the 16th and 17th July, coaching on behalf of National Fishing Month,  a total of 105 children and adults wanting to have a go at fishing for the first time or wanting hints and tips on how to become better anglers.  Thanks go out to Jimmy Coffey, Peter Fieldhouse, Peter Dykes, Mike Barton and Bruno Broughton for giving up their time to take part and support this event.

PAA support for NFM didn’t stop there though as the following weekend, PAA members Jimmy Coffey (he gets everywhere!), Harvey Jacks, Nick Watkins and Roger Smith joined a team from the ADB to coach over 235 people at the CLA Game Fair at Blenhiem Palace.  Again, the weather was unpredictable as were the number of gundogs wanting a bath in the river but the team did well and brought many a smile to potential anglers faces, some of whom were famous!

If you have news or other information you would like included, please send them to

Bruno Broughton
Trenchard
Lower Bromstead Road
Moreton
Nr. Newport
Shropshire
TF10 9DQ.

The best way to achieve a comprehensive coverage of these events is for coaches to form regional committees.

A number of our members have already offered to set up these committees but more volunteers are needed. Please let Eileen or Graham know if you are interested.

Further details of our regionalisation proposals are still being finalised and will be announced soon.

All the cards issued by the PAA will be superseded by the ADB scheme – the PAA will no longer issue licences.

This will ensure that all coaches hold the same validation.

The PAA is committed to accepting into membership coaches who meet all of these requirements and hold the ADB ‘licence to coach’. All coaching courses now deliver the UKCC courses and new coaches will automatically gain an ADB ‘licence to coach’.

However, everyone acknowledges that historically, coaches have qualified through a variety of perfectly valid courses and that there is a need to upgrade that qualification to the UKCC standard. This ensures that all practicing coaches have attained the same standards of training.

For this reasons, the ADB will carry out a ‘mapping exercise’ for each coach to highlight the differences between his or her existing qualification and the UKCC qualification and what ‘bridging process’ is required, if any. There is a modest cost for this process but grants are available to help coaches (and it should be possible to upgrade your existing coaching qualification at little or no cost).

Our aim is to help members with this process so that, by 31st August 2011, all PAA members hold the UKCC qualification.  It is our intention to ensure that the ADB ‘licence to coach’ is a PAA membership requirement after that date.

Details of the process can be obtained from the PAA Administrator and on the ADB website, which can be accessed at: www.anglingtrust.net

It is important that members remember that your existing qualification remains – you worked hard for it and no-one can (or is trying to) take it from you. Neither is the process described above based on the UKCC qualification being better (or worse) than your existing qualification; it is just different.