My first day as an Angling Coach - Talk Angling fishing chat and tackle advice

barbelqueen · 19th June 2008, 02:00 PM

Last year i was approached by the environment agency to see if i would like to become an angling coach for children, as they didn’t have many lady coaches and they feel there is a need for them. The environment agency told me i would go on an intense course to learn everything, and that it would all be paid for by them.

The course was held in Lymm and was run by PAA and AFA. I would have to give back 15 days of coaching free of charge over 3 years, for paying them back. I passed my course last September but i have never pursued it. In February this year, the environment agency rang to say they had some dates for me to start with my free coaching days. I work as a night care assistant and so i have Monday and Friday’s as my days off, these were now to be filled with coaching.

My first date was the 9th June.

All the coaching days are to be held at Meadow view fishery in Lymm, warrington, and to be there for 9am. I was really excited about the day and also a bit apprehensive about what I was facing, would i remember everything i was taught?

I arrived at Meadow View at 8.40am to be met by two other coaches(they actually thought i was the school teacher of the children that we were expecting) i introduced myself as a coach and they were shocked to see a lady coach, but soon involved me in making the rigs up and setting everything up.

They gave me some information on the children we were expecting, The group to be expected were children with special needs and had never fished before, so today wouldn’t be teaching them how to set up their whip and rigs, it would just be a day of catching fish for them. The fishing boxes were all set up ready with a 4m whip, we had umbrellas at the ready, as it was going to be a very hot day!

They minibus arrived around 9.30am with 10 very excited faces, waving and raring to go. They came down to the lake were all the coaches were waiting for them and we all introduced ourselves, gave them a few rules about making sure they stayed sat on the box at all times, and to be very careful near the lake. There were 2 girls in the group and they were excited to see a lady coach and asking if they could come with me, i told them of course they could and that we had girl power, they were screaming with laughter and the banter started between the boys and girls.

Because the group had special needs we brought the boxes in closer so that each coach could sit between 2 of them to keep a close eye. I sat between my two new best friends and showed them how to catch fish, they giggled all the way through the whole session. Every time they caught a fish they screamed out at the boys “GIRL POWER” I laughed with them all day long.

When we stopped for lunch they wanted me to sit with them and still have the banter between the boys and girls. It was now time for them to go home, the two girls i was working with kept hugging me and saying thank you, and I hugged them back and said “no, it’s me that should be thanking you girls; I haven’t had so much fun fishing in a very long time”. We walked to the front of the lake and everyone gathered round. The head coach gave me two certificates and two medals for me to present to the girls, and the boys were presented theirs from the male coaches. They all looked so very proud when they were receiving them and held their medal up as if they had just won gold for England! I got a lump in my throat as i watched how happy these kids were, and also felt very proud of myself for being able to sit there with them and show them how to catch fish, and to also have fun at the same time.

Since starting my coaching on the 9th June, i have done another 3 sessions and the enjoyment is the same with every session. It is amazing how these kids will sit and learn everything you tell them. One of the groups we took were a group of, well, we’ll call them “naughty boys” and they were the most pleasant boys you could ever wish to meet! Their school teacher couldn’t believe the difference in them and how quiet they were and listened to every word that was being said. They asked lots of questions about where they could buy a whip and rigs and could they go just anywhere fishing, we gave them all the right answers and told them that most importantly, not to forget to get a licence!

So there you have it, if you are, or have ever thought of becoming a coach then i would definitely recommend it the satisfaction out of seeing those kids eyes light up is second to none! If you would like more information on this then please pm me for details.

Wendy Perry

Oneabung · 19th June 2008, 02:12 PM

Sounds brilliant Wendy, I would love to do that as well and I am sure loads of the other members of the site would also love to become coaches. The idea of giving something back to the sport by giving free coaching to youngsters is excellent and we should all really be doing it to encourage the next generation of anglers.

Perhaps you can put me in touch with the right person at the EA that handled your coaching.

justin case · 19th June 2008, 02:19 PM

Thats just excellent Wendy

Amazing how fishing can be so passifying with the so called naughty boys

It makes you wonder if mainstream school is just too boring for the average child nowdays, I know my attention span was almost zero at school yet while fishing im very focused.

We need more set ups like this, half the world don't even know that fishing exists

Great work and an excellent read

Brian G · 19th June 2008, 02:34 PM

Excellent Wendy and nice to see that you got as much out of the days as the kids, its given me the thought that my club could perhaps do a coaching day for local lads and lasses.

sunburntarms · 19th June 2008, 03:32 PM

What a fantastic post, and what a great job to do Wendy, welldone on your coaching, sounds like a great day out.

Any info on the coaching course, it would be good to look into this sort of thing.

Great stuff Wendy, good on you girl.

polepot · 19th June 2008, 05:18 PM

Well done Wendy, it was good to see you enjoying yourself with those kids, and the noise them girls made was unreal, sounded like there was a party going on. Well proud of you

barbelqueen · 19th June 2008, 05:30 PM

take that photo down!!!!!!!!!!!!

Larry Teepot · 19th June 2008, 06:09 PM

Well done to you Wendy...it really is good to hear someone putting something back into angling......you are the first person to get my gold card award. nice one

AKA · 19th June 2008, 09:07 PM

simply great

Oneabung · 20th June 2008, 05:06 PM

Can I have a gold card award too.