Getting London Fishing - Thames21 Angling Development Project

Thames21 Angling Development Project
Getting London Fishing

Angling is one of the most popular sports in the UK. In London, Thames21 have been working to develop a socially inclusive and environmentally aware angling programme in London. Open to all and with a focus on deprived inner London areas, Thames21's Angling Developing Project (TADP) has six key objectives

• To lead the development and take up of angling on waterways across London
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  To protect of the environment and promote responsible fishing
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  To establish multi-agency partnerships to develop and promote angling in London
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  To create affordable community angling clubs in every London borough
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  To work with young people identified as at risk of offending or previous offenders
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  To mentor young people to become angling coaches and help deliver angling events

TADP creates opportunity through angling. Opportunity to reduce anti-social behaviour, to learn new skills, to meet people, to promote respect for the environment and wildlife welfare, to restore London's waterways to health.

One of the ways we do this is to provide free expert coaching for young people and families in some of London's most deprived areas. This part of the project is called "Tightlines" and events take place across London. For many participants, it is their first experience of fishing. For others who have fished before, it's often the first time they have fished with professional coaches with a passion for angling. "Tightlines" events are free and open to all. The events attracts hundreds of participants and in 2007, 534 young people were coached at 39 events in 8 London boroughs.

TADP mentors some young people who want to get more involved with angling. They are given opportunities to organise and run events, giving them a sense of responsibility, perhaps for the first time. With supervision, some young people have successfully helped to coach their peers at events proving to themselves and others that they have the capacity to be positive role models.

Protecting the aquatic environment and teaching responsible fishing is at the heart of Thames21's Angling Development Project. The tremendous popularity of fishing inspires an enthusiasm from many people which we harness to teach people how to behave more responsibly.

Creating affordable community angling clubs is an important objective and key to the regeneration of London's waterways as a place for sports and leisure. The TADP aims to create Angling Club Development Officers who will support local Club Organisers with their local knowledge, angling expertise and community links.

The TAPD has already had its first success with this years opening of London's only canal side angling club - the Ladbroke Rovers in West London. It offers affordable membership and aims to attract new people into fishing as well as encouraging lapsed anglers to take up their rod again. Anglings top media personality Keith Arthur is the clubs Honorary Vice-President and

Thames21 runs angling projects in the London Boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Westminster, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Enfield, Bexley, Greenwich, and Hounslow.

Keep an eye on Thames21's Calendar of Events to keep in touch with upcoming angling events. To find out more, please get in touch with Thames21's Tightlines Coordinator Grant Fear on 07974 937 151.

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