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Disabled anglers fly the flag for Scotland in international competition

Wednesday 21 June 2000

Scotland's top seven disabled anglers will compete for honours in an International Fly Fishing Competition for people with a disability, at the Lake of Menteith, Stirling, on 26th and 27th June.

The competition is being organised by Scottish Disability Sport (SDS) and is part of the Royal Mail Ready Willing and Able initiative - a unique partnership between SDS, Royal Mail and sportscotland that includes support for archery, curling, golf, shinty and table tennis. 

28 anglers from England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland will take part in the competition, which is now in its 21st year.

Mike Tudor, SDS Angling Co-ordinator, said:  "On paper the Scottish team is very strong.  It includes five past international representatives plus two others making their international debut.  Fly fishing is an area of sport that can be enjoyed by people with disabilities and it is certainly growing in popularity.  Events like this help to raise the profile of the sport."

Royal Mail's General Manager in Scotland, Alex Gibb, said:  "We are delighted that Royal Mail Ready Willing and Able is supporting this event.  The scheme has provided many opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in sport from grassroots to national and international competition level."

Gavin Macleod, sportscotland Co-ordinator (sport for People with a Disability) said:  "Royal Mail Ready Willing & Able is in its sixth year and has provided countless opportunities for people with a disability throughout Scotland to experience and enjoy the benefits of sport."

The Royal Mail Ready Willing and Able scheme was initially launched in 1994 and is a partnership with Scottish Disability Sport and sportscotland.

Some £35,000 is being invested in the initiative this year.

Over the next year, Royal Mail's Ready Willing and Able sponsorship is funding:

  • Local development programmes in Aberdeenshire, Angus, the Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Forth Valley (Stirling, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire), North and South Lanarkshire, Lothian (East Lothian, West Lothian and Midlothian), Highlands and South Ayrshire
  • Support for specific sports, including archery, golf, curling, shinty and table tennis
  • A programme of events, including Scottish national championships in bowls, swimming and boccia
  • A pan-disability squad of Scotland's top young athletes to attend an international event early next year.

The Scottish International team include:

(Team Member/Home Town)

John Hood (Captain)  /  Culross, Fife

Bill Pollock  /  Cumbernauld

Keith Duncan  /  Strathmiglo, Fife

Anthony Lithgow  /  Cowdenbeath, Fife

David Bradshaw  /  Jordanhill, Glasgow

George Hutchison  /  Newton Mearns, Glasgow

Fraser Renwick   /  Stirling

  • The first International Fly Fishing Competition for people with disabilities was hosted by Scotland in 1980 at the Lake of Menteith, when Scotland, England and Wales took part.  The following year an Irish team (represented by North and South) joined the Championship.
  • Each year the event takes place in a host country, the 2001 event will be hosted in Wales followed by England in 2002.