Rewarding Start to 2006 for Worksop’s Junior Angling World Champion
17th January 2006by Glyn Williams, NFA Coaching Development Manager
The listing was posted by National Federation of Anglers
(Matthew after the official Awards Ceremony being congratulated once again by guest of honour Leon Taylor.)
Friday the 13th January proved to be a very lucky day for Worksop & District Anglers Associations junior world champion Matthew Godfrey.
This was the date that Bassetlaw District Council held their 9th Annual Sports Awards Ceremony and on this occasion the evening events were staged at the Retford Leisure Centre where over 400 people (parents, grand parents and other family friends) had congregated to recognise and applaud the achievements of all our local sporting heroes, including 15 year old Mathew who lives at Wales near Kiveton.
There were a total of 78 nominees who had been put forward for the 13 awards that were to be distributed during the ceremony including the following categories:
Achievement in School Sport – Junior Sports Team – Senior Sports Team – Achievement in Disability Sport – Junior Contribution Award – Coach of the Year – Focus Award - Junior Sports Women (Under 14) – Junior Sportsman (Under 14) - Junior Sports Women (Over 14 Years) – Junior Sportsman (Over 14 Years) – Lifetime Achievement in Sport – Outstanding Services to Sports Development Award
The guest of honour for the evening was Britain’s Olympic Diving Silver Medallist Leon Taylor.
I had the pleasure of accompanying Matthew and members of his family to witness this prestigious event that was sponsored by B & Q. and the evening was made more special when it was announced that Matthew who had been nominated for the Sportsman of the Year in the Over 14’s category was the winner.
This award is yet another prestigious recognition of Matthews fantastic achievements in his short life after having taken four gold medals in the World Championships that were held in Serbia in July 2005. On that occasion he took the individual gold medal for a perfect score after winning both of his sections over the two day event, competing against nearly 200 other highly skilled anglers from all over the world. Matthew’s success also helped England to win the team gold medal on that occasion.
For those individuals who do not know Matthew – he is part of the successful Worksop & District Junior Angling section having taken numerous gold, silver and bronze medals at local, regional, and national levels as a squad member of their Cadet and Junior sections during the past six years.
He is to angling what Gary Lineker is to football – a true diplomat and this point was proven beyond doubt when after the Awards Ceremony a senior member of the audience who knew me personally came across to where Matthew and I were celebrating his success – he was accompanied by his ten year old nephew who I knew had only just started fishing. I introduced the youngster to Matthew whose immediate response was “That’s great – would you like to come fishing with me one day so that I can teach you some new angling skills?” – Believe you me - you just could not put a price on the expression of the youngsters face after he had been asked by the junior world champion to go for a days fishing with him. However, this gesture is typical of Matthew who is sponsored by Gregg Forrester of Worksop Angling Supplies.
This award is well deserved and it is recognition not just for Matthew, but for the dedication of his parents and grandparents, as well as Worksop &District A.A. – Gregg Forrester (Worksop Angling Supplies). Well done Matthew once again you have flown the flag for Worksop and angling in general – you really are a credit to the sport.
Cheers,
Glynn Williams