The EFDS decision to join forces with the British Disabled Anglers Association is a positive move which both charities hope will proactively and sustainably change and develop the future of angling for disabled people in England.Formed 6 years ago by Walsall wheelchair angler Terry Moseley, the BDAA has become the leading UK organisation dedicated to promoting angling amongst disabled people, increasing and improving facilities at fishing venues and promoting awareness amongst and support from the non-disabled community. The BDAA is now the top disability angling organisation in Europe, catering for all tastes including Coarse, Sea, Carp, Game, Cat Fishing. With a growing membership, the BDAA are now the leading organisation for anyone interested in disability angling.
The partnership has been welcomed by BDAA Director Peter Thompson who, in his appreciation of the EFDS endorsement, praised the work of BDAA secretary Terry Moseley for achieving the latest recognition. “I am particularly pleased for Terry who has worked tirelessly in ensuring people with disabilities have the same opportunities to go fishing as non-disabled people. As an Association we look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship with EFDS.”EFDS Chief Executive Colin Chaytors highlighted, “There are almost 9 million disabled people in this country and we know that over 60,000 of these already go fishing on a regular basis. By working closely with the BDAA and other key organisations such as the Environment Agency, we can help to ensure that these and many other people with disabilities, can become more involved in fishing either as participants, coaches and administrators.”
One of the first tasks for the EFDS is help the BDAA provide disabled people with information on where to go, and the equipment to use as they prepare to cast a line. Added Peter Thompson, “I’m sure that the co-operation of the EFDS and BDAA will make life easier for those searching for a start in fishing and feel that the future is in our hands. We have to ensure that we make significant and lasting changes that are so desperately needed in this field of angling.”
For further information please contact:
For the BDAA: either Peter Thompson on 07860 581984 or Terry Moseley on 01922 860912. Website www.bdaa.co.uk.
For the EFDS: either Gill Huggon on 07961 481042 or Colin Chaytors on 0161 247 5294. Website www.efds.co.uk.
E-mail ghuggon@efds.co.uk.ghuggon@efds.co.uk or cchaytors@efds.co.uk.
British Disabled Angling Association (BDAA)
The British Disabled Angling Association is a registered charity established to develop and promote angling opportunities for disabled people in the UK. With the help of celebrity patrons, parent bodies of angling, disability groups and individuals, the BDAA aims to ensure that any disabled person, be they beginner or expert, can have the opportunity to cast a line. For £ 5.00 per year, members of the BDAA receive:online access to information on all aspects of disability angling and the work of the BDAAanswers to questions and/or requests via e-mail or through the BDAA website are provided within 24 hours.access to a telephone information hotline on all aspects of disability angling.information about disability angling events around the UKinformation about access to angling worldwide.advice on a range of specially adapted angling equipment only currently avaliable through the BDAA.
English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS)
The English Federation of Disability Sport is the official, national umbrella body responsible for the development of sport for disabled people in England. The EFDS campaigns for increased sporting choices and opportunities for disabled people and works to help provide sports programmes and performance pathways for disabled people, from grassroots through to excellence levels. The EFDS is here to ensure that disabled people in England have a right, not a privilege to sporting choices and opportunities. The EFDS believe sport is for everyone and that disabled people have a right to access a wide range of sporting choices and opportunities as a matter of course.
The EFDS aims to:
- Be the united voice of disability sport in England
- Influence organisational policies, practices and structures to promote mainstreaming of disability sport from grassroots to excellence
- Campaign for increased and improved sporting choices and opportunities for disabled people
- Expand sporting opportunities for disabled people and increase the number of disabled people actively involved in sport
- To increase the effectiveness of organisational structures within disability sport.
- To ensure disabled people are included in all sporting communities
- To provide a professional first-stop shop information service on sport for disabled people
The EFDS produces a magazine called Inclusive Sport. In the first issue there was an article dedicated to angling. For further information about and to request a copy of the magazine, (£ 2.50 plus p & p) please contact Gill Huggon by e-mail at ghuggon@efds.co.uk.
