Team Tartan’s appeal for more women to join team

A Broughty Ferry angler is leading the hunt to find women to boost Scotland’s squad for the Home International shore angling championships at Weymouth.

The Tartan Team came second to Ireland last year on their home water at Tralee in County Kerry and coach Kevin Lewis is determined to go one better this time.

That is why the Dundeebased angler, who has represented Scotland in the world championships on 12 occasions in the last 14 years, is casting his net now.

Applicants don’t need to be experienced sea anglers as coaching sessions will be held ahead of the event.

The squad of five and a travelling reserve will also fish the location at Preston Beach in Dorset for several days prior to the two-day championships in the first week of July.

Kevin stressed that the coaching would be held at a location convenient for the women who are in the squad.

He said: “We are looking for keen, enthusiastic women to join us and boost the squad.

“Currently, we have around a dozen women in the squad but, because of family and business commitments, some are unable to travel to Weymouth.

“That is why we are looking to recruit.”

England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland are invited and the venue is a shingle beach which stretches from Greenhill to Bowleaze Cove, a short distance from Weymouth.

Kevin added that equipment can be provided but it is always better to have your own so you are at home with how the rod and reel work.

He added: “The girls did really well last year in Ireland and we are naturally travelling hoping to win.

“However, longerterm, we are looking for them to pick up valuable experience.

“It would be great if we could get more women coming forward so we can travel with the strongest possible squad.

“We’ll have training sessions in Scotland at a location to suit but we have some really good water in the Tayside area.”

Anybody interested should contact kevinlewis166@msn.com