Wednesday 19th June 2019 on a busy but great Norfolk School Games county finals day saw pupils compete in Angling, Tri-golf, Mini Tennis and Mixed Kwik Cricket. This amazing angling event witnessed a large amount of talented Norfolk anglers casting into action on Barford Lakes for the third day of the Norfolk School Games Summer Finals.
Over 40 pupils Years 7-9 from secondary schools across the Norfolk County came together to compete of being crowned Norfolk School Games Angling Winners 2019; after qualifying from their Level 2 School Sports Partnership events. We had 15 teams from the 8 School Sports Partnerships. The day started out with great conditions for angling – cloudy skies but warm temperature and gentle breeze (we were lucky not to have any rain) to welcome our angling finalists for the eagerly anticipated peg draw.
The pegs for the 3-hour match that would consist of three lakes into six sections were successfully drawn and the anglers set up their base for the day’s proceedings. The match witnessed many different approaches to tempt the wide variety of species that lived in Barford’s three impressively well-kept lakes and it was not long before floats were diving, tips were twitching and the nets were filling with Roach, Rudd, Perch, Bream and one or two Carp.
The quality of the angling developed throughout the day thanks to the support provided by Barford Lakes staff and volunteers which was inspiring and excellent. Once again the hard work especially from Sarah Thomson who works closely with those in the Angling industry ensured all our anglers were rewarded with huge amounts of goodies, bait and tackle for qualifying for today’s event. In addition to these generous goodies, there were amazing prizes, medals and trophies given out to the top three teams, our 6 section winners and our best overall anglers.
The title of best overall angler went to L. Wagg with a Huge record score weight of 63lb competing for West Norfolk School Sport Partnership.
Section Winners:
The three lakes were split in half to allow for six section titles to compete for and those winners with an impressive weight of the fish caught overall were:
Top Lake: 14lb 14oz – L. Lloyd (South Norfolk SSP) & 7lb 5oz – E. Archer (West Norfolk SSP)
Pleasure Lake: 63lb – L. Wagg (West Norfolk SSP) & 10lb 15oz – B. Wooden (East Norfolk SSP)
Match Lake: 42lb – H. Vincent (Norwich East SSP) & 28lb 12oz – C. Randall (North Norfolk SSP)
Team Event:
A team consisted of three anglers from their SSP who competed in each lake. Every SSP had two teams with one angler from each SSP in one of the six sections of the three lakes. The results were recorded by weight from each section and the top weight scored one point, 2nd two points, 3rd three points and so on. The team with the lowest points score were the winners. In the event of a tie the combined weight of the 3 team members decided places. If still a tie, then the highest weight of the angler in that team decided places.
1st: 7 points – East Norfolk SSP Team 1 (T, Bland, B. Wooden & J. Webster)
2nd: 8 points – Norwich East SSP Team 2 (H. Vincent, E. Deal & J. Holmes)
3rd: 9 points – West Norfolk SSP Team 1 (H. Oughton, L. Wagg & E. Archer)
The full list of final results can be seen by clicking here.
Special thanks must go to Sarah Thomson and her team of volunteers that were absolutely superb not only today but all year long in their support for the local Level 2 Qualification events, without these dedicated and passionate people the event simply would not be the success it is. Please see (Venue for the event) www.barfordlakes.com for more information on fishing and getting involved into the sport.
James Roche – Angling Trust “Great to see over 40 students compete from all different schools across the county and to see the anglers participating with confidence. Providing a quality venue/environment at Barford Lakes, plus great support and help from Barford Lakes staff, coaches and volunteers to aid the summer finals event run successfully. Was also good to see new faces and see a development from last year’s competition, fantastic to see 5 girl anglers competing in the county finals and holding their own.”
Other feedback from schools “great to see students who struggle to concentrate and engage in a class room, but to see them do this and behave in a different environment like this fantastic venue and opportunity to participate in a different sport is great to see.”
The Norfolk School Games Summer Finals action continues onto Day 4 where we have a whole range of events consisting of Hi 5 Netball, Secondary Dance and Secondary Panathlon all at the UEA, Sports Park. The Summer Games will conclude on Friday Day 5 for the Secondary athletics at the UEA, Sports Park. Good luck to all participants for the rest of the week and enjoy it!
EVENT PHOTOS – Click Here
