And finally… the rod squad

Associated British Ports is backing Penny Gidlow from its Humber planning team in a bid for a medal with the Ladies Carp England angling team.

Grimsby-based Gidlow, assistant operations planning manager, heads to the Tri Nations (England v Scotland v Wales) this month, before heading to the World Championships in July in Latvia. She has been drawn on the rods squad.

She was inspired to take up fishing from her father who introduced her to the sport when she was younger. She heard about the England team and being a competitive person decided to give it a go, initially joining the Ladies Carp Academy.

Gidlow said: “I struggled with my mental health in my twenties, and I needed to find something which was grounding. I find being away from noise and with likeminded individuals helps me.

“I hope we can bring home the gold in the Tri Nations and the Championships. The Angling Trust sponsors us for our entry fees and uniform but everything else we must find the money for so I’m grateful to ABP for their support.”

The Tri Nations takes place at Naseby Reservoir, Northamptonshire for three days starting 17 May and the Worlds kicks off at Kuku Parish Bolate Lake from 10 July.

England was one of the first countries to form an official women’s carp team. The team, one of the most decorated ladies’ teams in the world, works to inspire women into angling.