About the Angling Coaching Initiative

As a lifetime angler i have fished for most species over the years but particularly big tench, carp and pike. I have also been heavily involved with other specialist anglers in the politics of  fishing, involving the Environment Agency and many others, to represent the best interests of anglers.

Having targeted a number of species over the years I now prioritise float fishing in particular, with roach being made first choice.

ACCREDITATIONS

• Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Angling 
• Enhanced DBS
• Safeguarding children
•  Emergency First Aid - Initial Response 
• Angling Trust member
• Professional Anglers Association member
• ACI Chairman

 I was introduced to fishing at the age of 5 and was immediately bitten by the bug, as soon as I was able, I joined my local club and continued with them until I joined Essex Police in 1980. 

 I retired 5 years ago, having served over 30 years. Throughout my service I was involved with the Police coarse angling section and have Captained the match team for over 20 years. I continue in the role of Captain of both The Essex Police and Colchester Police teams to this day. 

 ACCREDITATIONS 

• Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Angling 
• Enhanced DBS
• Safeguarding children
• Angling Trust member
• Professional Anglers Association member

 Throughout my early teenage years you would find me at every opportunity along the banks of the river Lea in Hertfordshire or a private lake that held some amazing Roach and Rudd. But it was during my local club match competitions (Ware Angling Club) where I really began to learn different techniques to target specific species from the more senior match men who had been fishing for years and were willing to share their knowledge. Family and work life put my angling adventures on hold for far too long but with a son and daughter who were keen to go fishing, I had the reason to rekindle those memories and was soon back into the swing of it (albeit with a number of new techniques to learn). I am now keen to see the younger generation out in the countryside and have the opportunity to experience a relaxing, challenging and exciting past time that once ‘hooked’ will last a lifetime as many have found

ACCREDITATIONS  

• Level 2 certificate in coaching angling
• Enhanced DBS
• Safeguarding children
• Emergency First Aid - Initial Response
• Angling Trust Member

I think I might have started fishing before I could walk it certainly feels like something I have been passionate about all my life. Growing up in the Lea Valley meant that I mastered fast flowing rivers for Chub & Barbel but I was also a keen match fisherman on some of the early commercial type lakes. These days I love all forms of the sport from Big fish such as Pike & Carp to fine river angling for Roach and Dace. I am always looking for new skills and have recently taken up fly fishing. Following a career in financial services including a few years in the far east I am now sort of retired and fully devoted to my fishing. I enjoy the coaching we do with the ACI as its a great way to give back and re-live the passion of a youngster catching a memorable fish which is something that stays with you forever 

ACCREDITATIONS 

• Level 2 Certificate in coaching angling
• Safeguarding children
• Emergency First Aid - Initial Response 
• Angling Trust Member

 I began fishing in my teenage years joining Chelmsford Angling Club, fishing mostly at weekends. I was also heavily engaged with other active sports and joined the Metropolitan Police Service in 1985 retiring 4 years ago after 30 years’ service. My interest in fishing remained, however due to working and other commitments I was unable to maintain participation. I have been actively engaged for many years in the development of young cricketers and retirement offered me the time to return to fishing. I joined my local club and assisted the ACI last year as a voluntary coach. This was very rewarding and enjoyable. I have this year now achieved a Level Two Coaching Award and I’m really looking forward to coaching youngsters in all aspects of fishing. 

ACCREDITATIONS

• Level 2 Certificate in coaching angling
• Enhanced DBS
• Emergency First Aid - Initial Response 
• Angling Trust Member

My grandfather took me fishing when I was aged five and have been hooked ever since. I enjoy fishing whether it is sea or fresh water. I retired from the Metropolitan Police Service in 2012 after 30 years’ service and moved to Colchester in 2013.

I joined Colchester Angling Protection Society (CAPS) in 2019. I became aware of ACI through a student who I took to coaching sessions while I was employed part time at a Community College. Started helping as a volunteer at ACI in 2023 and obtained my Angling Trust Part 1 and then Part 2 Coaching Qualifications. Now retired I can fully commit to my fishing and coaching. 

ACCREDITATIONS 

• Level 2 Certificate in coaching angling
• Enhanced DBS
• Safeguarding children
• Emergency First Aid - Initial Response 
• Angling Trust Member

I started my angling journey on Boxing Day 1960. It was a tradition set by my Uncle, I enjoyed it so much I didn’t want to leave. 

I’ve always been a competition angler. 

My first success when I was 9 years old and came first in a fur and feather match winning an Alcocks match aerial as first prize much to the chagrin of the men I was competing against. A few years later I won the Lea Junior championship and was presented the trophy by an up and coming match angler by the name of Dicky Carr. 

I started match angling fishing local competitions, fishing for Braintree initially in local winter and summer leagues. 

In the ensuing years I caught attention of the Essex County AA and was invited to join their star studded ranks. This was the start of an apprenticeship of angling my early years with Essex County and was as a runner for the first team but under Dennis Salmon’s management represented both Colchester, Chelmsford and Brunswick angling clubs at national championships. 

By this time I had established myself in the Essex winter league team and fishing my first national for them on the Huntspill river in Somerset, and then fished the next three division one nationals until angling politics and domestic commitments caused me to drop match angling.

I am now more than willing to impart my knowledge on to anyone who has an interest in the sport.

ACCREDITATIONS 

• Level 2 Certificate in coaching angling
• Enhanced DBS
• Safeguarding children
• Emergency First Aid - Initial Response 
• Angling Trust Member

 i was introduced to fishing while on holiday with my two young children, when they wanted to play football with some friends children. I looked after my friends rods for a while, caught a roach, and that was that! I have been fishing since, some 40 years now, mainly coarse fishing, the odd match, and some shore fishing. I re-joined my local club when I retired and started coaching with ACI last year. 

I really enjoyed seeing youngsters enjoying catching fish and learning to respect their environment, and went on to achieve Level one coaching award in angling later in 2018.

 ACCREDITATIONS  

Level 1 certificate in coaching angling 

Enhanced DBS

Angling Trust member