Three of England’s international coarse fishing teams faced fierce competition and extreme conditions at the 2025 FIPSed Coarse Angling World Championships in Portugal. Held across the River Sorraia in Coruche and River Raia in Cabeção on the 20th and 21st June, the Veterans, Masters and Disabled squads lined up against the world’s best in sweltering 45°C heat.
While the Veterans brought home a well-earned team bronze, the Masters and Disabled teams both finished just outside the medals, despite several standout displays.
England Veterans Secure Team Bronze in Cabeção
Fishing on the Ribeira de Raia, the England Veterans squad, managed by Dickie Carr, delivered a composed performance across two days. After sitting fourth overnight with 21 points, a strong day two effort saw them climb to third overall on 34 penalty points. They finished behind Italy, who claimed gold with 20 points, and Portugal, who secured silver with 22.
England Veterans Team:
- Mark Downes
- Mark Harper
- Tommy Pickering
- Harry Billing
- Steve Sanders
Top English performer Tommy Pickering earned just five penalty points, finishing seventh overall individually.
Veterans Team Final Standings – Top 10
| Pos | Nation | Penalties | Total Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 20 | 68,145 |
| 2 | Portugal | 22 | 56,730 |
| 3 | England | 34 | 43,725 |
| 4 | San Marino | 39.5 | 41,735 |
| 5 | France | 46 | 48,640 |
| 6 | Hungary | 47 | 30,090 |
| 7 | Germany | 51.5 | 33,970 |
| 8 | Slovenia | 56 | 19,445 |
| 9 | Luxembourg | 61 | 29,395 |
| 10 | Croatia | 63 | 16,685 |
England Masters Just One Point Short of Bronze
On the River Sorraia at Coruche, the England Masters team narrowly missed out on a podium finish. After sitting second overnight, a challenging second leg saw them finish with 39 penalty points, just one behind third-placed France and three off silver.
England Masters Team:
- Darran Bickerton
- John Weeden
- Billy Reynolds
- Graham Smith
- Matt Hall
Bickerton (5th) and Weeden (6th) led the English charge, while Italy’s Hamar Ferenc claimed individual gold with a perfect 2-point score.
Masters Team Final Standings – Top 12
| Pos | Nation | Penalties | Total Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Italy | 32 | 30,575 |
| 2 | Hungary | 36 | 29,910 |
| 3 | France | 38 | 26,695 |
| 4 | England | 39 | 26,185 |
| 5 | Portugal | 47 | 24,500 |
| 6 | Luxembourg | 49 | 25,950 |
| 7 | Ireland | 60 | 25,470 |
| 8 | Slovenia | 60 | 20,285 |
| 9 | Switzerland | 60 | 19,465 |
| 10 | Czech Republic | 63 | 17,075 |
| 11 | Spain | 68 | 18,655 |
| 12 | Germany | 72 | 16,560 |
England Disabled Team Fifth, Etherington Impresses
The England Disabled team, fishing the same venue as the Masters, sat in fourth overnight after a solid opening round. However, a tough second leg saw them slip to fifth overall with 37 points. Hungary were dominant, winning team and individual gold.
England Disabled Team:
- Ethan Etherington
- Phil Spry
- Lee Gregory
- Andrew Saunders
- Manager: Paul Etherington
Ethan Etherington was the team’s top performer, winning his section on day two and finishing fourth individually, just one point off a medal.
Disabled Team Final Standings – All Nations
| Pos | Nation | Penalties | Total Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hungary | 17 | 29,455 |
| 2 | Italy | 20 | 23,675 |
| 3 | Croatia | 29 | 19,890 |
| 4 | France | 36 | 17,985 |
| 5 | England | 37 | 18,900 |
| 6 | Belgium | 39 | 15,760 |
| 7 | Slovenia | 46 | 14,780 |
Record Heat, Shifting Tactics
With match times moved to 9am–1pm due to the termparature reaching 45°C, conditions were brutal. Despite this, fish were caught in good numbers. The England teams adapted well, with the Veterans targeting 3lb carp on pole and waggler at Cabeção. At Coruche, both the Masters and Disabled squads fished from the opposite bank due to flood damage, adjusting their pole lines accordingly.
Individual Gold Medallists
- Veterans: Alfredo Danielli (Italy), 3 penalties
- Masters: Ferenc Hamar (Hungary), 2 penalties
- Disabled: János Jámbor (Hungary), 2 penalties
From veteran consistency to rising stars, England’s anglers proved themselves once again on the international stage. The Veterans bronze, near misses for the Masters and Disabled teams, and Ethan Etherington’s breakthrough performance, all point to a bright future for Team England.