Opening the Door to Fishing: Summerhayes Juniors & SASP Inspire Somerset Pupils

This year has been an exciting one for Summerhayes Juniors, as we teamed up with the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) on not just one, but two fantastic projects aimed at giving young people a completely new way to experience sport and the outdoors. 

Over the summer months, more than 90 children from schools right across Somerset had the chance to discover angling — many for the very first time. For pupils who often struggle with traditional PE lessons, or who simply hadn’t been given the chance to try fishing before, these sessions became much more than a day out. They offered calmness, confidence, and in many cases, a genuine spark of excitement that we know will stay with them for a long time. 

A Different Kind of Sport

Fishing might not be the first activity that comes to mind when you think of school sport. Yet it proved to be exactly what was needed for many of the young people who took part. On the banks of Summerhayes Fisheries, pupils were guided through the basics by our coaches and volunteers: learning how to bait hooks, cast a line, and handle their catches safely.
 
The atmosphere was relaxed but purposeful. Children who normally shy away from PE lessons were smiling, laughing, and celebrating their first ever fish. Teachers reported seeing pupils calmer, more focused, and far more engaged than they’d ever seen them in a classroom environment.
 

Schools Embrace the Experience

We were delighted to welcome groups from schools including Robert Blake, Elmhurst Juniors, Court Fields, The Levels School, St Mary’s, Chard School, Preston School, and many more. The response from schools was overwhelming — several even brought more than one group of pupils after seeing the positive impact of the first visit.
 
Teachers were quick to share their feedback with us. One described it as “the best day some pupils had ever had at school.” Another noted how children with anxiety came away visibly more relaxed and confident. And of course, the most powerful feedback of all came directly from the pupils themselves — their excitement, their chatter, and their reluctance to leave at the end of the day said it all.
 

Working Together

These projects have only been possible because of strong partnerships. SASP worked tirelessly to bring schools on board, while the Angling Trust ensured all coaching and safeguarding standards were met. Our volunteers from Summerhayes Juniors gave their time and passion freely, helping to create a welcoming and supportive environment for every child.

We’re also hugely grateful for the backing of the wider angling community. Generous support from Matrix and Drennan helped provide quality tackle, while the Somerset Community Foundation played a vital role in helping us get the programme off the ground.
 

More Than Fishing

At the heart of these projects was a simple idea: to give children a chance to experience something different. But what unfolded went far beyond learning to fish. Pupils developed patience, resilience, and a stronger connection with nature. They learned that sport doesn’t always mean running, jumping, or competing as part of a team — sometimes it can mean peace, quiet, and focus.
 
For us at Summerhayes Juniors, the highlight has been seeing pupils who might normally feel left out of sport discover a sense of belonging. Fishing gave them a place to succeed, and that is something we are determined to build on in the years ahead.
 

Looking Forward

This summer was just the beginning. With the enthusiasm shown by both schools and pupils, we’re already planning ways to grow and develop these opportunities further. Our hope is that angling will soon become a regular fixture on the school sport calendar, opening the door to even more young people across Somerset.
 
We are incredibly proud of what has been achieved so far — and grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. Fishing has proved itself not just as a hobby, but as a tool for wellbeing, inclusion, and growth.
 
And for many of those 90 pupils who landed their first fish this year, it’s the start of a journey we can’t wait to see continue.