A former primary school teacher is using the power of angling to not only aid the health and wellbeing of others, but also to help kids academically. Lifelong angler Mark Smedley spent 17 years as a teacher, during which time he would visit Cornfield Fishery, Burnley, to escape the pressures of work.
He noticed that when his school held regular ‘celebration assemblies’, the kids getting a mention had often achieved something in sports, either for the school or externally. The same names were cropping up, while many others sat there without receiving recognition. Knowing that such acknowledgement would boost their confidence, Mark wondered if some of the less traditionally sporty kids would be interested in fishing.
“Team games like football, netball or rugby aren’t for everyone, and for children with additional learning needs, taking part in a large team would often be the last thing they’d want to do… but fishing could be an effective teaching tool!” Mark told us. “I did some research and discussed running angling sessions with headteachers from several local schools, who agreed that these would potentially benefit some pupils. We planned and delivered a variety of sessions which were thoroughly enjoyed by all participants, including school staff!”
“Cornfield Fishery, set in beautiful greenspace, was the natural choice, and that first session back in 2019 was a huge success, and the kids wanted to do more.”
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Growing demand
From there, MS Angling & Education was born, and after those initial sessions, demand for Mark’s work increased.
“I was approached initially by Active Lancashire – the Sport England-led body charged with driving a sports delivery system across the county, as well as local councils, community groups and a handful of other primary schools in the borough, who were interested in working with us,” he said. “Things took off, and I now have a team of licensed angling coaches that deliver sessions to a wide range of people.
“Pupils from primary and secondary schools, and those in alternative education all attend. We also work with individuals referred to us by GPs, health and wellbeing coaches and social prescribing link workers, so support the NHS as much as we can.
“We also offer junior fishing matches, parent and child sessions at weekends, birthday parties, holiday-club sessions, small group and one-to-one fishing sessions. Every week of the year we have schools from across Lancashire visiting, and there’s no shortage of interest in our work,” Mark added.
A learning and fishing hub
When Mark started coaching, he was still working in school for three days a week and coaching for the other two. But, as interest in MS Angling & Education grew, that changed.
“Last year, I didn’t teach in schools at all, but I’m able to apply some of my 17 years’ experience through sessions in our Educational Lakeside Cabin, which we recently finished building at Cornfield,” Mark revealed.
“Set in the middle of the complex, this is kitted out like a classroom with a large screen television with internet access, a kitchen, accessible toilets, fish tank, settee, plus facilities to make hot drinks as well as an outdoor learning area. Here, I can use elements of fishing to help pupils academically.
“For example, I can teach maths through the shotting of floats, length of rigs, or in the ratios involved when mixing groundbaits, and over the coming year I’m going to be incorporating more of my teaching experience into sessions. The aim is to help children achieve their targets at school, as well as the health and wellbeing benefits that angling brings.”
Wider impact
The cabin is also used for weekly ‘Fishing Therapy’ sessions for individuals referred to them by the NHS.
“The cabin is in a beautiful spot, surrounded by four lakes, where we can promote positive health, wellbeing and happiness,” Mark added.
“There’s a fantastic outdoor area too, and if people don’t fancy fishing, they can read, do artwork, or simply relax, listen to the birds and catch up with like-minded people.”
Through the gateway of fishing, Mark has been able to offer people a range of alternative experiences.
“There was a conifer at the fishery that was cut down last year, and into the large stump remaining, a friend of ours carved a fish,” he said. “The children on fishing sessions took an interest, and we now have woodcarving sessions planned. I also ran fishing sessions for primary schoolgirls last year, and when we deliver them again this year, it’ll be under the guidance of previous participants.”
Mark added: “Initially, it was difficult to convince people of the benefits that fishing brings, but with that changing over recent years, we’re able to use angling to help more people, more often, and in more ways, than ever.”
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