Your thoughts on ‘new revised’ AT Winter league format?

[TF_wightangler]

http://www.matchfishingmagazine.com/news/item/1…winter-league-revamp

‘The Angling Trust has changed the structure of the Winter League. The aim is to improve satisfaction among existing Winter League anglers and attempt to introduce new teams and anglers to the league.

The changes have been introduced following a survey conducted by the Angling Trust to gather the thoughts and opinions of anglers about how the Trust could improve the Winter League. The results of the survey were clear and that change was required if the Winter League was to see an upward turn in satisfaction and participation.

The new look structure will include:

• 100% Increase prize money, now £2k to winning team
• 8 anglers per team throughout local stages to final
• Removal of Semi-Finals
• Two day Grand Final
• The addition of a new Cup competition within the existing structure
• £1k prize money to the winners of the Cup competition

A press release from the Angling Trust explained: “The research highlights that anglers want the team sizes to be smaller but consistent throughout local and finals and that a reduction in team size would make it easier for teams to field a team more often, allow some teams to enter two teams and encourage new teams to join the Winter League.

Semi-finals will be a thing of the past and the team finishing first in each league will earn a place in a two day grand final and teams finishing second in each league will qualify for a place in a one day cup final. The introduction of the Cup competition is designed to provide all anglers competing in the Winter League with a chance of achieving glory rather than bowing out at the local league or semi-final stages, it is hoped that it will also act as a catalyst for new teams to join and be in with a chance of achieving success and building their way to the top.

Ben Thompson, Angling Trust Senior Competitions Manager said “As custodians of the Winter League it’s really important that we reach out and listen to anglers and ensure the Winter League is fit for purpose. The survey has allowed us to make informed decisions based on what anglers have told us. Our aim is to maintain the quality and increase the quantity of anglers participating in the Winter League and we believe these initial changes are a step in the right direction. These changes will take effect for one year and we will continue to review and evaluate the competition. We are actively seeking sponsors and the bigger the competition, the more attractive it becomes to potential sponsors.”

Top match angler Lee Kerry said “The Winter League is a team fishing institution in this country and in the last few years it has been on the decline. The newly formed Competitions team at the Angling Trust have done some great research to find out what we as anglers want and I congratulate them on being bold enough to make these significant changes in an attempt to revitalise this competition. Let’s hope the anglers get behind their own ideas!”

To find out exactly what the changes involve and to view the full results of the survey, visit the Angling Trust website and download the full results at http://www.anglingtrust.net/winterleague

The Angling Trust Winter League provides opportunities for anglers to compete in a national competition structure at a local level and achieve national success and recognition. Neither participants nor teams need to be members of the Angling Trust, however teams must register to participate and entry is only £70 per team. The local league begins in October and usually complete by the end of December with the Finals being held in the spring of the following year.

For further information as to how to get involved, please contact the competitions department on 0115 9061301′

Dont get the comp within a comp. bit and the money still seems rather paltry?

[TF_Time Traveller]

“Anything different” Wightangler money is not what it could be but…… they are trying to freshen it up, basic cause of depleting numbers is too few match anglers in the sport now, certainly in our area, even the Fisho doesn’t draw our lot really, and you have enough money eventually in that (may goes missing in the rounds).

Where is the young blood? I know that the AT does what it can in promoting the sport but it’s not happening really is it….. quick look on the Trent yesterday, Lindolme, Hallcroft same old and I mean same “old” faces. In next 10 years a real hole in the numbers is coming.

Cost is a factor for new match anglers and a lot of the existing ones, better going to the local Commie through winter at least you can drive behind yer peg and just go if it’s hard. The likes of the Ancholme with 2 foot on, on a December day just does not have the pull it used to.

Even once thriving clubs struggle to get a dozen around us, and one by one these are dropping out, I notice best turn out at Hallcroft is on Vets day….errrrr say no more…

So money does help and the AT Winter League has always been strong it has to change to survive, lets hope they can draw a few more in…… or inevitably it will not be there in 10 years either…

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

Best turnouts at Tunnel Barn Farm are also in the Vets matches….

[TF_joffmiester]

Hi Geeps we are working with the trust on numbers bob dyer, Brian hull and Ben Tomson all are work hard on improving the winter league . Although trying to Incourage new anglers we have to remember the successful leagues that have been well run over the years and could come under pressure of anglers dropping out . I personally feel 8 is too many to put two teams in such as starlets, Trentmen and Leicester . I also thing in the soar valley league this will take the chance off the lesser teams upsetting the odd round . I have been told we could run the league with 10 anglers with the best 8 points counting which would be better . I also think with in couragaging 8 man team this will mean less sections and more anglers in each section again the average angler will have less chance of winning there money back and dropping their own confidence in fishing . Yes I agree these changes are a start and we must get behind them but I feel some fine tuning is needed . Can the sections take more pegs might be a problem of tight pegging . If team put two teams in that also means a £140.00 entrance fee . I would personally leave the qualifying rounds to each individual league and then cut the final to 8 remember 30 plus teams could be in the final . 240peg venue is another point with a two day final I’m all for a two day final but I would split each day into two halves . Fish 4 anglers fish a natural venue and the other 4 on a commercial and then swap the anglers over on the second day so the natural anglers fish the commercial on the second day and the commercial anglers fish the natural venue .
Loads to look at and the Trust are willing to listern .

[Author]

Posts