Newcomer to the angling market, high street retailer Sports Direct, has committed support and pledged significant finance to angling associations and charities.

In a ground-breaking agreement, Sports Direct will be sponsoring the Professional Anglers Association’s (PAA) series of coaching roadshows for 2013 that will cover a range of nationwide angling and country show events. The sponsorship agreement incorporates items of coaching tackle, travel expenses, clothing and promotional literature.  

Nick Fox, Group Product Manager for Sports Direct said: ‘The Professional Anglers Association is a recognised angling coaching body with a great reputation for providing quality coaching by its members.  We are delighted to support its roadshows, which will provide opportunities to showcase and demonstrate our own, bespoke angling starter kits.’

The first PAA roadshow appearance will be at The Big One, at Farnborough Airfield on 23rd and 24th February where organiser Fishface Promotions has kindly donated a stand to the Association.

Furthermore, through a tackle endorsement programme agreed between Sports Direct and the PAA, the newly formed Angling Participation Fund – run by the Angling Trades Association (ATA) – will benefit from a sizeable donation from Sports Direct.

The Fund has been set up by the ATA to encourage and secure contributions from both the trade and outside revenue sources in order to provide financial support to future angling projects and initiatives.

Dr. Bruno Broughton, PAA Chairman, welcomed the moves: ‘The tackle endorsement deal between Sports Direct and the PAA will contribute much needed and greatly appreciated money into the Angling Participation Fund’s coffers.  We have had very exciting and innovative discussions with Sports Direct and the PAA hopes that this will herald a long and mutually-fruitful relationship, which in turn will benefit future angling projects and initiatives.’

Nick Fox added: ‘Angling is a very important market to Sports Direct and will continue to be vital in the companies’ future growth. To establish an endorsement programme with the PAA that subsequently benefits the future of the sport by donating to the Angling Participation Fund makes complete sense. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to help in this way.’