England Get The 'AMMO'

     ENGLAND GET THE ‘AMMO’                       

The England Boat Squad received a huge boost to their 2010 World and HomeNations campaign in the shape of sponsorship funding for their recent squad weekend held on the 17th and 18th of October 2009, from the leaders in quality frozen baits, the ‘Ammodytes’ Company (www.ammodytes.co.uk).

The two day annual event out of Weymouth brought together the current 2009 Squad members plus a selection of ‘in form’ up-and-coming rookies seeking to measure up their skills to those required of boat match angling at this level.

Two groups set out each day comprising current World Team anglers and World Prospects on ‘Flamer’, and the current Home Nations Team, squad members and rookies on ‘Lady Godiva’. Angling Trust’s Jim Whippy and Ray Ashby, both with a wealth of World Championship and Home Nations experience under their belts, oversaw proceedings. England Selector Brian Owen also ran his eye over the 2010 Team contenders ahead of the team selection meeting in January.

Day one saw anglers being organised into teams and preparing for a full blown team competition on day two. Team ‘Baron’ won the Sunday match, the winning team anglers being Ray Baron, Gary Galbraith, Paul Hart, Bobby King and Steve Clements. ‘Best newcomer’ was awarded to Dave Mann. Over fifteen species were caught and released over the two days including cod, conger, rays, huss, bream, pollack, wrasse, garfish, gurnard, pout, smoothhound, scad, dogfish and whiting.

This was an Ammo bait supplied event with each Squad Member having a set supply of bait, only supplemented by Mackerel caught afloat. The combination of top bait and the country’s top anglers resulted in two tremendous days afloat and will provide the selectors with the unenviable task of selecting the two teams for next year’s events. Ian and Michelle from the Ammodytes Company joined the teams during the weekend to endorse their personal support for the England Squad, support which will hopefully provide a successful base for the England Team’s 2010 Championships campaign.

Ray Ashby, England Home Boat Manager said: “We are very grateful for the support of the Ammodytes Company for this important training and pre-selection event. The backing of the trade is essential for our England teams in all disciplines to take a professional approach to competing for their country.”
 
    
      
Angling Trust

    
      NOTES FOR EDITORS ABOUT THE ANGLING TRUST

The Angling Trust is now the single organisation representing all game, coarse and sea anglers in England. We lobby government, campaign on environmental and angling issues and run national and international angling competitions. We fight pollution, commercial over-fishing at sea, over-abstraction, poaching, unlawful navigation, local bans and a host of other threats to angling. The Angling Trust has been formed from an historic merger of six angling and conservation organisations in January 2009. Other bodies, including the Angling Development Board, will merge with the Angling Trust in 2009.

THE ANGLING TRUST

• Promotes the benefits of angling for the environment and individuals
• Supports angling and angling interests
• Campaigns for anglers and the environment
• Protects our waterways and marine environment
• Lobbies government and agencies on behalf of angling interests
• Delivers real benefits for anglers in the UK
For further information about The Angling Trust go to www.anglingtrust.net