The launch of the striking Royal Bank of Scotland Anglers Affinity Card coincides with the organisation putting up £50,000 over three years to sponsor National Fishing Week.

The RBS will be a joint sponsor of the annual August Bank Holiday event, alongside the Environment Agency and the Angling Trades Association, and funding has also been secured from Sportsmatch.
For every successful applicant, £10 will go to the Angling Trades Association, and for every £100 spent, a further 25p will go into the fund.

The ATA will co-ordinate how the money will be distributed between various events and bodies dedicated to the promotion of the future of the sport.

“An example of how the money might be invested will be to provide practical support to National Fishing Week events or by sponsoring individuals to complete angling courses, as well as lobbying for angling to be more accessible for all who wish to try it,” said ATA chief executive Geoff Burrows. 

John Douglas, head of partnership programmes at the RBS commented: “We are delighted to support National Fishing Week over the coming years. We hope to encourage more anglers, young and old, to enjoy this sport in an environmentally-friendly manner.”

• National Fishing Week takes place from August 21st to 30th with events taking place throughout the region. 

A 16-page, step-by-step guide to organising a National Fishing Week event is available online at www.nationalfishingweek.co.uk or by e-mailing info@nationalfishingweek.co.uk . Alternatively you can call 0906 304 3040 (calls cost 50p per minute to cover postage and packing).

The manual contains ideas for creating a themed event and guidance on how to maximise local publicity, plus advice on legislation regarding working alongside children.

A certificate of participation that can be photocopied and awarded to everyone taking part is also included.

Brendan McKeown of the Angling Trades Association said: “Even if you are an experienced National Fishing Week event organiser, the manual will still prove to be an invaluable aid to ensuring this year’s events run smoothly and successfully.

“We are aiming to make this the most co-ordinated, accessible and best promoted National Fishing Week ever.”

He added that the website would be regularly updated with news of registered events and called on tackle shops to become more proactive in promoted events local to them.