Angling Trust's The Coaching Angle Issue 10 | Page 5

B y now the bids are in, decisions are being made and projects are being informed of their success. So, whether you entered a bid for an AIF grant this year or not, what happens next? With approved projects likely to be completed over the summer, the first step for coaches should be to see what clubs or communities in their area have won funding and whether you can help. The AIF is a grant scheme administered by the Angling Trust in partnership with the Environment Agency (EA), which aims to reinvest a share of fishing licence sales into much-needed angling development projects. For some projects, coaching consideration will have already taken place, with money given to upskill existing members or with specific coaches in mind. For others, improvements to facilities will likely to lead to a busier, more thriving club or angling venue, where a coach could prove a valuable asset. For Gipping Valley Angling Club, a 2016 grant to improve their Maypole Farm Lake converted a venue that had proved too hazardous to use for coaching. The funding helped pay for re-sloping gradients, expanding the size of existing platforms, clearing trees for better access and visibility and to make a new car parking area, all of which made it far more attractive to prospective anglers. Similarly, an AIF grant awarded to Cambridge Fish Preservation & Angling Society (CFPAS) in 2017 under the “Getting your fishery ready for spring” theme will help fund new platforms and marginal planting at their Hall’s Pool fishery. These improvements, together with a stock of fish including prized crucian carp supplied by the EA, will help turn the Pool from a disused, barren site into a new, vibrant fishery, offering engaging and safe fishing for young people and families. For other projects, coaching infrastructure has been at the heart of the project. WHERE NEXT? “Our coaches had been asking for a coaching store close to our training lake, Hill Pond,” explained David Ewing, Junior Development Officer at Godalming Angling Society. The club received £5,000 towards improving facilities and then spent a further £15,000 to complete the project. “Thanks to the AIF we have been able to build a dedicated coaching store for our coaching gear, and a shelter and patio area so that school groups and other visitors have a decent place to eat lunch and shelter from the weather if it turns nasty. “Last year we ran coaching sessions for local junior and secondary schools, scout and beaver groups as well as our regular Saturday community coaching sessions. The new facilities certainly made a difference and improved the experience for everyone.” Tony Elkins from Hassocks Angling Club reported that their plan similarly built coaching into the bid and that they have since reaped the rewards. “The AIF grant enabled one of our members to achieve Level 2 coaching status,” Tony says. “In addition, in our grant application we included the cost of basic equipment, rods, reels, lines etc, and these were put to good use at one of our beginner’s days last summer. The event was very popular and we were particularly pleased that among those who came along were two complete newcomers to angling. “We now have the equipment and coaches to hold regular training and beginner’s days on a regular basis.” If you’re part of a bid for the 2017/18 AIF pot, we hope you’re successful and are able to make great use of the grant. If you’re not, don’t worry. There are projects out there that will welcome your help and the AIF isn’t going anywhere: there will always be next year’s grant to be a part of. • For full information on AIF grants, including details of past funded projects, please visit the dedicated funding section of our website at www.anglingtrust.net/improvementfund • If you have a project in mind and have a question about AIF funding levels or project suitability, please contact the Fund team at [email protected] or call 0115 822 4561. The AIF is a key part of the Angling Trust’s contract with the EA to develop angling services in England, reinvesting income from anglers’ fishing licence purchases back into the sport we love. Fishing licences fund coaches and facilities through the AIF. Please encourage anglers to get a licence at www.gov.uk/fishing-licences 5