STOP WHINGING AND ACT LOOK WIDER PHIL RINGER, RINGER BAITS CHIEF AND ENGLAND STAR
ROB HUGHES, BT SPORT PRESENTER & ENGLAND CARP TEAM MANAGER
Angling has a big image problem, and it’s not the most athletic of sports. I can remember a debate I had with a Radio 5 Live presenter. He didn’t understand that a sport doesn’t have to be physical.
Nor does angling have figureheads, real champions. Look at Alan Scotthorne, a five-times World Champion. No one knows who he is outside of fishing, but we could all name a darts or snooker player. It’s not the same people winning or doing well either. We need rivalries like Nadal and Djokovic in tennis.
All that said, I think there are sponsors outside of fishing who could do well. The demographic of angling is perfect for companies like Screwfix or a van dealership, as so many anglers are tradesmen.
We need to change the ethos of how the outside world sees angling. Once we do, they will see how big and how important we can be. Publicising events is crucial too. People need to see the match happening and the drama unfolding.
Angling’s biggest problem is that we whinge in a circle facing inwards.
Instead, we all need to turn around 180 degrees, talk outwards, tell the world what we are and show them what we do.
I’d certainly be approaching fledgling companies for sponsorship, as the bigger boys aren’t going to be interested in fishing. Would Nike get its money back if it moved into angling?
Match fishing isn’t attractive to sponsors, yet if you can tie it in with something that anglers do outside of fishing, there’s a chance. That’s why alcohol and tobacco sponsors worked so well in the 1970s and 1980s.
Barry Hearn told me at a Fish O’Mania final that 20 years ago he couldn’t get a sponsor for anything. Now, there are dozens of online casinos and bookies sponsoring the lot. We all like a bet – is that the avenue to go down for outside sponsorship?
Match fishing isn’t a spectator sport, so there’s no audience to sell to. More fishing on TV would make it work, I’m sure.
MARCH 2, 2021 59