DISABILITY SPORTS
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) - the governing body of disabled sports, has recognised the work of the BDAA and after 6 years of hard work we will be able to deliver what we intended. The BDAA/ EFDS partnership, will insure that disability angling will enter a new era and now receive the support and funding it rightly deserves. EFDS quotes "It’s a disabled persons right, not privilege to participate in sport and this partnership will see it become a reality".
What it means to you
Anglers with disabilities can finally see a major advance in the disability sector and plans are already underway for some dramatic changes for the better to help all disabled anglers in the
Funding for major events, Introduction days, equipment, training & education, sea fishing, coarse fishing, game fishing. Sport England & EFDS have both backed these examples of what you can expect to happen across the country from later this year.
GOVERNMENT INVITE BDAA INVOLVEMENT
The government invited and included the BDAA to it’s recent Angling summit and Participation plan. This means that for the first time anglers with disabilities will have their say at government level as to what happens and have their voice heard and acted upon.
NPOWER (North East)
Npower have been contacted by the EFDS & BDAA to introduce disability angling in the North East.
The major power provider is in negotiations to help stage the first of many angling introduction days for people with disabilities.
The BDAA have been given the opportunity to hold events attracting up to 400 people on each occasion to try the benefits angling can bring. Funded by Npower and backed by the EFDS these events are set to introduce many more people into angling who before had never tried.
MERCHANDISE
Many of our members have asked that we produce our own range of clothing and angling related accessories. This was never possible with the level of funding we had. Now the EFDS along with the Department of creativity have exclusively designed BDAA Merchandise to include Fishing brollies, polo shirts, hats, fleeces and much more, these will be available by mail order by autumn.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY
A meeting between the BDAA and Dr David Clarke head of fisheries at the E.A has taken place, and as a result the E.A are now looking to involve the BDAA in the future of angling. This will include consultancy, disability angling guides, platform construction advice and education.
SPORTING CHAMPIONS SCHEME
Sport
For the first time in the history of angling main stream sports such as field and track it was realised that angling has its place in sport. This was a direct result of the BDAA representing angling at the Manchester Commonwealth Games launch June this year.
The BDAA has been given the position of mediator to help angling be part of this excellent scheme, so if you feel you would like to become a sporting champion and join the ranks of Sir Steve Redrave, Gillian Clarke, Tanni Grey and others contact the BDAA for a Sporting Champions package.
NOT JUST MATCHES
The BDAA has recognised that match angling is only 10% of the interest in disability angling. Many prefer to just go fishing and enjoy the peace and tranquillity angling can give and for this reason the BDAA will introducing social angling events across England Wales and Northern Ireland which will include coarse, sea and Game fishing.
The BDAA match program will still be run, but this addition of social events will see more people being catered for in the coming season. Already the BDAA have funded a sea angling event in Liverpool, education days, and salmon fishing, therefore adding to the already strong match list which has already seen over 400 anglers take part in.
SALMON FISHING
The BDAA has purchased salmon fishing rights on the famous river
IRISH FESTIVAL
In association with the Irish Wheelchair Association, plans are laid for the first ever Anglo/Irish disability angling festival.
The BDAA have secured accommodation for 75 wheelchair users and accessible fishing to host a 2003 festival. This was a landmark achievement for the BDAA and we will be finalising the details later.
Anglers with disabilities in
NEC GO FISHING DISABILITY EXHIBITION
Plans are set for the disability angling sector to have its own centre stage at the 2003 GO FISHING exhibition. Negotiations are in hand to see for the first time a unity of disability angling have a chance to see equipment, exhibitions and seminars on the subject of disability angling. Suggested to take place on
The portfolio of events is being submitted by BDAA Director Peter Thomposn who has dramatically changed the way anglers with disabilities are received by the main stream, ensuring that we as anglers with disabilities have a voice where it counts.
EFDS & BDAA REGIONAL REPS
In the past the BDAA have set up and infrastructure ready for the time when funding was made available. We have now broken down the barriers and entered a new era in disability angling. This new development will set the course for new generations to come and will help enhance clubs and associations which are all working to improve facilities and the voice of anglers with disabilities.
The EFDS as the governing body is urging all areas of disability angling to join forces with them and the BDAA to ensure the future not just for us now but those in the future.
The BDAA reps will now sit on the EFDS board and help develop the existing structure through the BDAA to ensure every disabled angler has what he or she wants from the sport and to be treated with respect.
IN THE PAST
It has been a struggle for the BDAA to achieve what it has. 60,000 plus anglers with disabilities, and non-anglers, will have a chance of seeing disability angling become a main stream recognised sector.
The management team is aware that the membership were sometimes frustrated at the time taken to act on issues. You will appreciate It is often simply a necessity to set in plans before before we made any false or exaggerated promises.
If you are interested in any of the news, would like to help in any way, or receive regular updates then please contact:
BDAA
01922 860912
