Academy News and Updates
Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society Academy
“Our vision is to provide a facility whereby individuals and/or groups of all ages can get involved in the sport of angling. A place where they can enjoy, develop and improve their skills and help them on their journey to become a better angler and have a lifelong love of the sport.”
What events are planned for 2024?
We are planning an in-house programme of events which has been designed to help to retain the interest and further develop the angling skills of our new recruits. These events include Training and Days, Juvenile competitions, and 2 events to prepare for the biggest annual celebration of junior angling – the National Cadet, Junior and Youth Angling Championships.
Membership of the academy is free and open to all members of SOTAS.
June 15th Training - Short Pole - Caldon Canal, Denford
June 22nd Match - Caldon Canal, Denford
July 6th Training – Long Pole - Trent & Mersey Canal., Middleport
July 27th Match - Trent & Mersey Canal, Middleport
Aug 10th Match - Noels and North Road Pools
Aug 17th Training - Float - Stanley Reservoir
Aug 19th Training - Feeder - Stanley Reservoir
Aug 24th Match - Lodge Farm Pool
Aug 31st Training – National - Trent & Mersey Canal, Middleport
Sept 7th Training - National - Trent & Mersey Canal, Middleport
Sept 28th Academy Celebration - Lodge Farm Pool
Contact us:
Anyone with an interest in taking part in any of the above events please contact:
Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society Academy liaison officer Mr. Anthony Burt via email secretary@sotascommittee.co.uk
(Please note that no business is conducted in person from an officials’ own residence)
If you were a junior member last year and have not yet re-joined, then please consider renewing quickly to be able to reserve your place on the above events.
Any person that would like more information about Stoke-on-Trent Angling Society Academy, how to get involved, helping, volunteering, about donations or sponsorship please contact the liaison officer Mr. Anthony Burt
The Class of 2023
SOTAS Academy - 2023 Year Report.
2023 Daiwa Global Communities Celebration Event – 21st October 2023
This national event organised by the Canal and Rivers Trust brought together 180 young anglers fishing on the Shropshire Union Canal. Daiwa sponsored this event and generous fishing tackle prizes were distributed to all the competitors.
25 of our SOTAS Academy members were selected by the Canal and Rivers Trust to take part in this event.
The conditions were not ideal with the storm conditions the day before the match and a big well done to everyone who braved the weather conditions.
A special mention to 2 of the SOTAS Academy members – Theo Karadia for winning the Cadets Category with an impressive weight of 3.4 kilos and Regan Grice for winning the Young Juniors category with 2.6 kilos.
2023 National Celebration of Young People and Fishing Event – 16th and 17th September 2023
This weekend saw over 300 young people line the banks of the Shropshire Union Canal to take part in the biggest celebration of junior angling organised by the Canal and Rivers Trust. Participating in an event like this allows the youngsters to gain confidence and to take their angling journey to the next level. Everyone taking part receives prizes and for those lucky enough to catch a gudgeon they receive their own gudgeon mug.
2023 was a record attendance for SOTAS - 42 cadets and youngsters who have been coached by the Academy entered this event. The numbers attending have increased as follows :
2020 ( pre SOTAS Academy ) - 3
2021 - 15
2022 - 34
2023 - 42
A special mention to the youngsters from Saint Peter’s School who managed to win the Best School Trophy for the second year in a row.
It was a hectic weekend with many special memories being made. Every one of the youngsters who represented SOTAS stepped up to the occasion and made their parents and the SOTAS coaches very proud. We look forward to what 2024 holds, and look to build on the success of 2023.