Phoenix and Parkgate Junior Angling Section has finally got underway. After many years of talking things are now really coming together, thanks really to the actions of committee member Ken Wydell.

One of the biggest drawbacks to starting the section was both finding, and then paying for, prospective coaches and their necessary training, an expensive exercise at nearly £800 a throw. Luckily out of the blue Rotherham Council obtained some funding via the Coalfield’s Regeneration Trust specifically to enable the development of sports coaches. A phone call or two resulted in six members accessing funds and their training commences in early September. In addition an experienced but lapsed angling coach will also update his qualifications courtesy of the Angling Development Board, meaning that by April our club will hopefully have more qualified personnel than any similar club in the region.

But that’s not all that’s happened. South Yorkshire Police have helped too in the form of an ABC grant specifically to buy tackle such that any youngsters wanting to try fishing for the first time can do so without the worry, or cost, of having their own equipment.

And there have been other offers of help from a local business and from shops and tackle manufacturers.

And to get things started the Club have been offering help to local youngsters and Thrybergh Youth Club, who have now had three days at the ponds under the supervision of qualified staff but being tutored by club members. And thankfully everyone to date has caught something as demonstrated by the picutre of Ashley Littlewood, who with the help of Simon Heappey caught this excellent tench.

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Again quite by chance the Youth Club were seeking opportunities to take their youngsters fishing and contacted the club for help, a development that will hopefully form a long term relationship in future.