The Angling Trust & Canal & River Trust are delighted to announce the date competitors can start to apply for the Pairs Canal Championship which will be held on the Shropshire Union Canal in the Soudley area on 14th September 2014.

Entry forms will be available to apply for this new event from 15th July – 15th August, available on the Angling Trust website at www.anglingtrust.net, or alternatively email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net or telephone Sandra Drew, Competitions & Events Manager, Angling Trust on 0115 9061 301..  Please note:  Entries will only be accepted by postal applications.

This Championship is open to anyone 17 years and above with an entry fee of £40.00 per pair, with optional pools available on the day of £10 per angler.  This year to support the pilot of the Championship it is not necessary to have individual membership of the Angling Trust, or to be a Friend of Canal & River Trust. 

This Championship will also carry a prize pot for the top three pairs of; 1st pair £1,250, 2nd pair £750, 3rd pair £500 (Subject to entries and sponsorship).

As well as the Pairs Championship there will also be an open junior section run in conjunction with the main event on the same day at Market Drayton on the Shropshire Union Canal open to anyone aged 12 – 16 years of age on the day of the match. This event will be free to enter, and all junior competitors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.  Entry forms will be available for this event via the Angling Trust at; www.anglingtrust.net or alternatively email; sandra.drew@anglingtrust.net or telephone Angling Trust on 0115 9061 301.  The deadline for Junior entries is 15th August.

John Ellis, National Fisheries and Angling Manager of the Canal & River Trust said “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Angling Trust and Hodnet Angling club to host this pilot event. I am confident that the angling community will support the event and make it a huge success.”

David Kent, Director and Chair of Competitions of the Angling Trust stated “Following the success of the Stillwater and RiverFest events Angling Trust Competitions Group has been looking to run a top canal event to add to its already large portfolio of competitions. We have also had for some years a desire to re-introduce a pairs event.  The opportunity of working with the Canal & River Trust to deliver these targets came just at the right time. It will also further enhance the already close relationship between the two organisations. I am confident that the pilot this year will be a real success and pave the way for a countrywide Canal Pairs event from 2015.”