Angling Championships 2020

REME Sports

Corps Coarse Angling Championships 2020

It might only have been for one day but Coarse Angling was one of the few sports able to continue competing in 2020. SSgt Dave Goodall reports on how the Corps and Inter-Corps Championships went.

With COVID-19 adversely affecting all sports within the military it was looking as though the REME Angling Championships would have to be postponed or cancelled this year - that was the easy option! Thankfully this option was not accepted and significant legwork was conducted between the Army Angling Federation and the Army Sports Control Board - the result was that angling was one of the few sports that was able to continue albeit with many understandable necessary changes.

The 2020 Coarse Angling Championships were reduced to one day this year from the usual five days encompassing Corps Team Selection, but at least it was taking place! The event was held on 14 August 2020 at Moorlands Farm Fishery near Kidderminster. Unfortunately, this usually well supported event saw numbers drop this year as the reduction in length meant that some did not fancy the significant travelling time to the venue. However, 16 anglers arrived on the morning and a detailed match brief was delivered to all attendees. The draw was completed by one individual to limit contact between participants and the 16 anglers were split into three sections across Meadow Lake. This was a six-hour match, fishing from 1100-1700hrs.

After the match, myself and Sgt Trev Tanner weighed in all competitors. Again, this was to minimise contact between participants. The results: Cpl Joe Beevs was crowned the 2020 Champion, with a weight of 56.220kg, second was Maj Toby Burrell, with a weight of 55.420kg, and third Sgt Steve Tilson with 50.500kg. The highest placed associate was Mr Jason Nicholls who came fourth with 48.830kg.

Inter-Corps Championships

This is a one-day event held in September every year and this time it took place at Staunton Harold Reservoir, near Derby. Each Corps entered a six-man team and REME finished third overall, behind the Royal Signals and Royal Engineers. On the day, myself, Sgt Trev Tanner and Sgt Steve Tilson all finished second in their six-man section, with the other three members not having the best of days.

The biggest thanks must go to The REME Sports Association and The REME Charity for its support in funding our sport. This greatly offset the cost of both events to each serving participant, encouraging greater numbers to attend. The Corps Championships proved to be a great success and introduced new members to the sport.

If you are interested in joining REME Coarse Angling, please contact SSgt Dave Goodall. David.Goodall722@mod.gov.uk.