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Angling For Youth Development (AYFD)
An initiative set up by Strathclyde police to give youngsters something better to do with their time takes off in Scotland
When kids are kicking about the street with nothing purposeful to do some of them get into trouble, just part of modern day life you might say. Strathclyde police officers in Giffnock could have carried on doing what the police are expected to do, lift offenders and have them banged up, but they didn't.
In 2004 Constable George Knight and others decided that there was an alternative to criminalising youth in East Renfrew and AYFD was born. Angling For Youth Development was aimed at helping young people in danger of offending by giving them something better to do - going fishing!
In less than 4 short years AYFD has become a strong influence for the better offering hundreds of young people the opportunity to go fishing with the support of a growing team of volunteers trained to coach and support young people in the art of angling.
AYFD, a non profit making initiative, has been rolled out across Scotland to Tayside, Perthshire and Angus and is growing fast driven by the dedication and enthusiasm of the police, fire service and Joe Punter volunteers united in the knowledge that angling is good medicine. In addition, AFYD has the backing of the Scottish National Anglers Association, local angling clubs, local educational authorities, voluntary youth organisations, SEPA and the Countryside Alliance and has Professor David Bellamy OBE and Fiona Armstrong as patrons.
The educational side of AYFD activity is in the process of seeking accreditation which means that AFYD will be able to train and educate young people to a certificated level in due course. All this in less than 4 years. Doesn't it make you wonder what these people will do when they get real support from the Scottish Government?
So what about the youngsters
who are not in danger of offending I hear people ask? AYFD cottoned on to this question very quickly and has made what they do open to all young people and for good measure they are reaching out to families and communities bringing angling to the forefront of social activity where ever they go. The aim of AYFD is:
To offer young people of all backgrounds and abilities opportunities to participate in the sport of angling, thereby improving their quality of life, with the objectives that:
- Allows participants a chance to enjoy the sport of angling.
- Provides safety awareness through education and good practice.
- Develops young people's skills and self confidence.
- Encourages responsible and positive participation within the sport and community.
- Raises awareness of all participants to environmental issues related to the countryside.
- Provides instruction of the highest quality in angling techniques and fishing etiquette.
- Supports any participants wishing to obtain qualifications in angling and angling related subjects.
- Diverts people away from anti social behaviour and thereby reduces crime, creating safer communities.
Angling For Youth Development has become a 'powerful educational and vocational tool'. Grev Humphrey of Tayside Police, a passionate and committed organiser of AYFD activities, says that ' AYFD is just a few months away from being able to offer accredited qualifications in a raft of fishing related activities including angling, fishery management and habitat and environmental management'. He also mentioned that the Scottish Government has recently 'clocked' AYFD as being a potential force for good in the community.
Since starting AYFD has recruited hundreds of participants and supporters and has attained an exceptional level of retention. Kids just love it. They join up, get support and instruction, there is tackle on loan, activities and competitions are ongoing, there is mentoring and education in a hands on way that gets young people involved in subjects they have little interest in at school.
Most recently a number of volunteers underwent a gruelling test to become the first of about 24 anglers to complete the Dreamstore Academy Level 2 Angling Coaching qualification. As a result AFYD instruction and coaching will be elevated to a new level of professionalism.
New blood coming into angling bodes well for the future and new anglers educated in safe and good angling practice will ensure that the rivers, lochs and fish we love will be treated with the respect they deserve. Grev Humphrey, with typical AYFD 'ain't no mountain high enough' attitude, talks with complete confidence about the day coming soon when AYFD will start to acquire and run it's own fisheries, where coaches with the trade mark AYFD black caps will be available to support young people who want to come into the sport.
Looking ahead Grev sees a string of AYFD units throughout the length and breadth of Scotland supported by the work of AYFD Angling Academies managed and staffed by people who are qualified in coaching and child protection, cleared through Disclosure Scotland and able to bring angling to anyone who wants to participate. Grand schemes for a grand idea, have no doubt about it, these lads and lasses of AYFD have the determination, guts and skill to make it happen.
If you would like to set up an AYFD partnership in your area there is a whole raft of support ready made for you. First you need the support of the local police force and the Local Authority, to get that approval AYFD will send in a team to make presentations on your behalf and when you get the necessary support AYFD will train your team, provide copies of the AYFD training course modules along with supporting power point presentations, provide specialist speakers and instructors, give you lists of contacts, information about child protection policy, participant contracts, disclosure applications forms and generic risk assessments, everything that is daunting to a new initiative. Angling For Youth Development also provide details of the kind of equipment you will need, lists of suppliers, funding sources and information about obtaining public and employers liability insurance. Once you are set up AFYD will help you develop your programmes arrange inter-group fishing competitions for youngsters and coaches and act as a conduit for information flow. AFYD has done its home work to make it easy for anyone to get a partnership group up and running.
If you are interested in setting up an AYFD partnership in your area contact:
Grev Humphey, Police Station, Ericht Lane, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 6AI or call him on 01250 872222 or email Grev at
