The idea is the brainchild of Dick Clegg, OBE who has been at the helm of the England’s coarse match fishing since 1984.  Dick stated; “It's just a simple idea based on giving aspiring international anglers a further insight into the world of  FIPSed Championships. Unfortunately we, the Angling Trust, and indeed the rest of England’s match organisers, do not run competitions based on the rules laid out by the Worlds International governing body FIPSed.  With this in mind, I would like to see a programme developed that would allow anglers to receive instruction and coaching that would further their knowledge of  how these competitions are run.  England has a tremendous record in World Championship competitions and to maintain this I believe we need to use all this experience by creating an academy for all of our teams. This event would be an extra level added to the Talent Pathway already up and running within the Angling Trust.”

“We have the world's best coaches qualified not just as level 2's, but they are the most successful in world angling and with this in mind Steve Sanders and Joe Roberts will be in attendance at the academy launch on the Middle Level.  Instead of just watching the anglers both Steve and Joe will give instruction on
groundbait, rigs, presentation and all aspects of rules relating to World Championship fishing.  I am also expecting Dave Brooks our Ladies team manager and John Weeden our Disabled team manager to be in attendance to pass on their own experiences.”

The Middle Level Drain is an ideal water to launch this scheme and could be a future World Championship venue providing all the FIPSed criteria is met.  There are a limited number of places available, so interested anglers should register their names along with a short CV to Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager at the Angling Trust as soon as possible. 
Email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net, telephone; 0115 9061 301.  Anyone who would like to apply must have individual membership of the Angling Trust. 

All the ladies who attended the assessment day at Thorne last year are invited and only need to register their names as they have already supplied their CV's.  The Veterans who attended the Trent assessment should do the same, but the Angling Trust would also like to see a number of  Veterans who are 60 years of age before December 31st this year also apply.   

The Veterans, Disabled and Ladies international teams are still unsponsored so anyone selected for these teams will have to pay the costs of competing themselves. This should not stop those aspiring to make the grade from taking part as the idea of this academy is compile a list of potential internationals by giving them a more in-depth look into FIPSed match rules. 

Steve Sanders has asked the under 18 international team members to participate and some members of the Disabled team will make up the numbers.

The day will consist of a 4/5 hour assessment during which time the coaches will be  answering questions and giving instruction to the anglers. As per FIPSed rules only float fishing will be allowed i.e. by rod and line (waggler or slider), or by pole which will be limited to 11.5 metres.

Each participant will have to provide their own equipment and bait. Bloodworm and joker will be allowed and a limit of 500 ml joker and a small packet of  bloodworm hook bait imposed. There will be a maximum of 12 litres of groundbait, and anyone wishing to order bloodworm and joker should contact Steve Sanders on 07798 845511. Other natural baits such as maggots, casters, pinkies, squats and worms can be used with a total bait limit of 2 litres and this to include the 500 ml of jokers. 

It is hoped that a second academy meeting will be held later in the year around the end of September, or early October.

Source: Angling Trust Fishing News