Dick said, “The past 8 years have been really exciting for me and as I was the one to push for this event to be included in the FIPSed calendar I am especially pleased about the performance of team England. I have worked with a fantastic bunch of anglers all of whom have had to pay their own expenses to take part in these championships which makes all their podium finishes particularly sweet.
During the past 8 years we have won 2 team golds, 3 silvers and a bronze added to which we have had 3 individual gold medal winners in Mark Addy, Joe Roberts and this year Mark Downes. There must be something about Portugal that we like as all 5 gold medals in both team and individual wins were won in this fabulous country.
In appointing Joe as my successor I know that his many years of both fishing and coaching at international level will be of great benefit to the Veterans team. Joe has been helping with the Under 18’s, the Ladies and the Disabled teams for many years and I am sure he will make a first class manager for the Veterans.
I feel that I have done all I can for the Veterans and just like in 2001 when I passed the reigns to Mark Addy and Mark Downes to take over the Drennan Team England job I am sure that now is the time for Joe Roberts to step up to the mark.
Next year I will try to spend a little more time with John Weeden and the Disabled team and I have assured Joe that any help he needs in his first year in the Czech Republic I will be there to help.”
Joe Roberts said “it’s a great honour to represent your country and I’m delighted to accept the manager’s role with the England Veterans Team. I’ve worked with Dick for 20 years and more closely in recent times and I am confident I can continue the excellent work that has been done to date, having Dick alongside to support me will provide stability and we hope continued success. I look forward to the challenges ahead and to working with the Veterans squad which has an array of top quality anglers with a vast amount of international experience.
We will hold an assessment day in early September and we would like to invite all anglers interested in fishing for either the Veterans or Disabled England squads to get in touch and come along to the event.”
Further details regarding the assessment day will be announced shortly.
