NewsWEEKLY ROUND-UP Irish stars THOMAS PETCH reports T


HE ousted Irish coarse fishing team that finished a creditable and best-ever fourth at the World Championships in Spain this year have vowed to fight for the chance to fish for their country again.


As reported last week, the squads that fished in the World Champs and Celtic Cup fell out with the National Coarse Fishing Federation of Ireland after the governing body rejected reforms that were agreed upon.


The Federation instead insisted on keeping a four-match trial basis for selection, which means every member of the World squad in Spain won’t be fishing in the 2011 Champs in Italy. Team manager Richard Caplice


is also at the end of his three-year contract and hasn’t been offered a new one. Even Cathal Hughes, who was


silver medalist last year, won’t be picked, despite him asking for a wild card as charity commitments meant he couldn’t fish in all four qualifying matches. Two have already taken place and just 14 anglers have fished both. A statement on behalf of the


rejected team blasted: ‘The majority of the 2010 Irish International angling squad would like to clarify our position on the recent article regarding the state of the Irish national fishing team. We feel the article is a fair and accurate account of the current situation.


‘‘ ‘We would also like to address


the issues raised by the NCFFI in their response to the article, as we are outraged by them. We feel this is a poor attempt by the NCFFI to say everything is rosy. Well, quite clearly it is not; the Federation is in turmoil and is trying to defend the indefensible. ‘Yes, there has been a system of


four qualifiers in place for a number of years. However, last year due to the fact that the World Championships were moved to June, the manager was given permission by the executive to pick the team prior to qualifiers. The results of this speak for themselves. ‘This raised the question as to whether the current protocol was


in their response to the article, as we are outraged by them.”


Tight Lines Keith Arthur’s guest will be Martin Bowler, one of the most respected specimen anglers in the country.


SKY SPORTS 3, Fri 6.30pm 8 anglersmail.com ON SALE TUESDAY


We would also like to address the issues raised by the NCFFI


vow to fight


 in the November 16 issue. the correct method of picking ‘It was common knowledge


HOW the Mail reported the story teams to achieve results.


that a compromise needed to be reached on how the team was selected, so a meeting was held involving all parties. An extremely fair way of picking a team was agreed on by all, but this was rejected by the Federation executive committee, who decided to run with an outdated protocol document rather than take advice from those


concerned. ‘So, basically, the NCFFI executive,


which has only one former International in its ranks, feels it was more qualified to decide than the sub- committee it put together. ‘The result is that only 14 anglers


turned up at the first two trials and, contrary to the NCFFI’s statement, there were only five anglers with international experience. In line with the protocol, Irish team selection for 2011 is now over, as anglers must fish all four qualifiers. ‘Under this protocol, in the past the manager had wild cards. This is now not the case, as Cathal Hughes was refused a wild card, as he was unable to attend the first trials. ‘Finally, the majority of the 2010


squad are still fully united and still support Richard Caplice 100 per cent. We would hope in the future to represent our country with the same level of dedication and pride as we did in 2010.’ For the full NCFFI statement, check out www.anglersmail.com


Memorial raffle KEEN angler Daniel Paxton is


running a charity raffle with loads of top angling prizes on offer in aid of Megan’s World, after he and wife Kelly lost their newborn daughter Bella Violet. Prizes include a seven-day


fishing pass at Newbarn Farm, in Devon; a short break at Kingfisher apartments and lakes in Norfolk; a three-night break at South Farm Fishery in Devon; two days fly fishing and three days coarse fishing at Stonebridge Lakes, in Yorkshire; a day aboard Chichester charter boat Something Fishy; French and Spanish carp trips and more short fishing breaks around the UK. There are also 60-plus non- fishing prizes. If anyone would like tickets


for the raffle, they can email barrypaxton@hotmail.co.uk or kellyandjayden@hotmail.co.uk for more info.


Search for new


members A TOP disabled angling club is looking for new members – and they have plenty of fishing on offer. Practical Angling for the Disabled are based around Derby. The club has its own 20 peg Trent stretch with excellent wooden platforms built out into the water, and also have guest member tickets for several waters, such as Roy Marlow’s Glebe, in Leicestershire. President and bait guru


Archie Braddock said: ‘Monthly meetings are held in Shardlow, and there is a small but active match agenda. Due to losing a few of the older members to natural causes, there are a few vacancies, and any registered disabled person from any area would be welcome.’ For more info ring Barry Poxon on 01332 665730.


Best Of Carp TV A spotlight on Chigborough Fishery, in Essex, plus top carper Gary Bayes and his Bait Kitchen.


ONLINE NOW FREE www.onlinefishing.tv


Total Fishing With Matt Hayes An hour of Matt as he trout fishes with top footballers and targets carp off the top at Furnace Mill.


QUEST, Sun 1pm SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! ✆ 0844 848 0848


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