On 19 October 2024, young people with ancestral connections to around 35 different countries will gather on the Shropshire Union Canal between Norbury Junction and Cheswardine to take part in a global angling event. Hosted by national charity Canal & River Trust and sponsored by Daiwa, the world’s biggest specialist in coarse, carp, sea and game fishing products, the Daiwa Global Communities Celebration brings young people from all backgrounds together. The communities represented include Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Kurdistan, Montserrat, Poland, South Africa and Ukraine amongst others, alongside teams representing the home nations communities. Around 225 young people are expected to take part in the biggest event of its kind. The event is a legacy from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
There will be an opening ceremony held at around 9.15am on the day of the celebration, with members of each global community invited to carry a national flag.
The celebration is being organised as part of the charity’s Let’s Fish programme, which is being supported with funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and aims to create new anglers with a regular fishing habit. The programme uses fishing activities to help improve health and wellbeing and connect communities, making them stronger and more resilient.
John Ellis, national fisheries & angling manager at the Canal & River Trust, comments: “It’s fantastic to see so many communities represented at this Global Celebration, highlighting that fishing is a truly inclusive and accessible sport. As Let's Fish! reaches even more communities we hope to see the number of overseas countries represented grow.
“Our Let’s Fish! events have introduced thousands of young people to the sport and offer a chance for young people to fish alongside others, make new friends, and discover a new community. The support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery has enabled us to host these events that play such an important role in connecting young people from all backgrounds with the natural world.
“This is just one of the ways our 250-year-old canal network benefits communities today. But the canals are centuries-old and, as damaging floods and storms become more common, anglers can see first-hand how parts of the network are suffering. It’s more important than ever to get involved and help us keep canals open and alive today, tomorrow, and for future generations.”
The Global Celebration is open to anyone aged seven to 20 years old with a parent, grandparent, or great-grandparent with ancestral connections with the nation they wish to represent, who will participate in four age categories to be crowned champion.
The countries represented include: Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Czech Republic, El Salvador, England, Estonia, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kurdistan, Latvia, Montserrat, Mozambique, New Zealand, Netherlands, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, USA, and Wales.
Laura Chow, head of charities at People's Postcode Lottery, said: “The Let’s Fish! programme has introduced young people to the joy of fishing and brought about a wonderful sense of community. It's fantastic that funding raised by players supports the Canal & River Trust, encouraging more people to spend time by the water and feel healthier and happier. Thanks to players across Britain, over £1.4 billion has been raised for thousands of charities and good causes.”
For more information on the Daiwa Global Communities Celebration, please visit: Global Communities Fishing Celebration | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
To support the Trust’s campaign to Keep Canals Alive, together with all the activities that take place on them, visit: Keep Canals Alive | Canal & River Trust (canalrivertrust.org.uk)
To find out more about People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit: www.postcodelottery.co.uk/good-causes.
Source: Canal and River Trust
