Scottish Angling has a new champion	8th June 2006
	The SCA Educational Trust, in partnership with angling’s governing bodies in Scotland, has appointed former Scottish U19 rugby international Ian Robertson as Manager of the Scottish National Angling Programme (SNAP) with the overall aim of ‘bringing angling and its benefits into the centre of Scottish life’. Ian has already started working prior to taking up the full time post in September 2006. Ian Roberston has a lifelong involvement in all forms of angling, and is “passionate about what Scotland can offer its own people and visitors on a traditional sporting front”. Ian’s experience of working for the Scottish Rugby Union at grass roots level in developing elite performance, coach education and a wide take-up of the sport is he feels “an excellent model for the development of angling. I would relish the opportunity to take on the challenge of leading SNAP”. Ian trained at Jordanhill College as a Sports Education teacher prior to taking up his job as SRU development officer. During his 14 years with the SRU he obtained qualifications and experience in all aspects of coaching, refereeing, child protection and club development. He lives in Perthshire. On appointment Ian said, “ I am absolutely delighted to have been selected to lead SNAP. I can think of no project that suits my skills, interests and experience more than this angling development programme does. Having work at grass roots to develop rugby and make the sport more inclusive, I want to use that experience to do the same for angling>” Tony Andrews, founder of SNAP and Chairman of the rural charity SCAET, said, “Angling gives people of all ages and backgrounds the chance to learn new skills, reconnect with their countryside and participate in Scotland’s most popular participatory outdoor activity. SNAP will quickly demonstrate the benefits of angling, in healthy living and quality of life for people throughout their lives. Ian Robertson’s appointment brings this to reality after more than a year of planning.” Ian’s job will be to deliver SNAP’s 4 projects over the next three years. These are: • Establishing the Scottish youth Angling Association (SYAA) for young anglers and run by young anglers. This web-based project will emphasise access to cheap fishing, tackle, clothing etc, and a club for young people coming into the sport. • Induction of a new generation of anglers. Development of cadres of coaches training to introduce people to angling skills in all forms of the sport. This will then lead to induction centres throughout Scotland where qualified instructors can introduce newcomers to the sport. • Certificated courses in angling and related subjects. With the aim of broadening horizons and providing career opportunities, these will lead to Scottish Progression Awards (SPAs) Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), Institute of Fishery Management and other recognised levels of achievement. Venues for training may be based on existing schemes such as Tweedstart, Strathclyde Police’s Angling for Youth Development, Get Hooked on Fishing (Scotland), the Waterways Trust at Falkirk. • Social inclusion project. Working with social services, police and youth centres (eg Arbroath’s CAFÉ Project) this project will focus on reaching disadvantaged people who can benefit from the improved self-confidence and quality of life opportunities angling can bring. SNAP has the potential to make a big difference to all forms of angling in Scotland. The top priority is to induct 50,000 newcomers into angling, and the only way this can be done is by persuading the whole angling community to get involved in bringing a new generation into the sport. SNAP is currently developing partnerships with the Rivers and Fisheries Trusts Scotland (RAFTS) network, the Princes Trust Team Programme to provide access to angling for a new generation of young anglers. The overall objective of SNAP is that all 4 projects become self-sustaining after 4 years. Notes for editors Contacts: Neil Rafferty: Tony Andrews: 07748 78 36 24 Ian Robertson: 07840 951 332 Support for SNAP from Scotland’s angling governing bodies is a sine qua non. Their letter to Tony Andrews, Chairman of SNAP, dated 17 October 2005 states, “We believe that SNAP has all the potential and support to fill a glaring gap in the angling development programme in Scotland and will both contribute to and complement many of the existing angling development schemes. We agree to align ourselves with the proposed Advisory Group for SNAP, showing our commitment and enthusiasm for the programme”. The letter was signed by the Chairman of the Angling Tourism development group, the Director of Salmon Fishery Boards, the Chairman of IFM (Scotland), Director of Rivers & Fisheries Trusts Scotland, President of the Scottish Anglers National Association, Chairman of Scottish Stillwater fisheries, Chairman of the Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling and the Chairman of the Scottish Federation of Sea Anglers. SNAP has now received confirmation from the Board of the Salmon and Trout Association of their support for the programme. Tony Andrews Chairman Scottish National Angling Programme West Mains Cottage Royal Highland Showground Ingliston EDINBURGH EH28 8NF