GET HOOKED ON FISHING, NOT DRUGS OR CRIME
West Yorkshire Police are hoping to ‘reel’ in youngsters for the tenth annual angling competition.
This year's event is planned for Saturday 3rd August with the junior section fishing on the Aire and Calder canal at Woodlesford, courtesy of Leeds and District AC and Allerton Bywater Angling Club, and Intermediates fishing at Altofts, courtesy of Walton AC.
This year’s event marks the tenth anniversary of the competition which has involved more than 1,200 youngsters.
The competition is the brainchild of Force Photographic Officer, David Speight who ran the first match as a 'one-off' on the Leeds/Liverpool canal in Bingley to get youngsters interested in angling as a hobby with the added bonus of promoting good relationships between the Police and the community.
That first match was such a huge success that David has made it an annual event which has achieved national fame with coverage by Sky TV. World champion angler Dave Thomas has attended each year to give advice and encouragement to youngsters.
David said: "It's a great day out and we'd like as many people as possible to attend. We have had a lot of support from sponsors to stage the event as well of most of the tackle shops in West Yorkshire."
Oulton and Woodlesford Sports and Social Club’s premises at The Pavilion, Aberford Road, Oulton, Leeds, will be the venue for the competition which opens with the draw from 8am. Fishing is from 10.30am to 3pm. The entry fee of £1.50 will this year go to Breast Cancer Care.
Entries are invited from under 15s and 15 to 17-year-olds inclusive on the day of the match. Entry forms are available from Mrs L Nunns, Community Safety Department, West Yorkshire Police Headquarters, PO Box 9, Laburnum Road, Wakefield, WF1 3QP, tel. 01924 292245 (answering machine available after office hours). Or E Mail U18sfishingmatch@aol.com Last Date for applications Monday 29th July 2002.
The competition is being supported by businesses including Empire Stores Mail Order Company, Browning UK (Fishing Tackle), Eurocopy, Environment Agency, West Yorkshire Freemasons.
See: http://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/Press%20Releases/Feb-June2002/fishhook.htm for more info.