In his latest feature, student Will Piper from March, meets rising angling star Daniel Hall, 18, also from March.

EIGHTEEN-year-old Daniel Hall of March is a former representative of the English fishing team.

He competed for his country at Under-16 and Under-18 level but due to his age will have to wait until Under-22 level to fish for his country again.

Daniel first got involved in the sport when he tagged along on a day-out with his dad and uncle. He took to the sport and soon started competing in local matches.

Daniel is now a member of the March committee and fishes at least once a week. When fishing for England, Hall was coached by Steve Sanders, the current coach of England’s top fishing team, Daiwa Dorking and also by Will Raison.

Under their guidance, Daniel was selected to represent Sensas Team England’s Under-18s in an international competition in Portugal last year.

Hall said: “We would train together during the week before four fishers of the five-man squad were selected to compete in weekend matches.

“Unfortunately, despite being selected, we couldn’t quite make the podium and finished fifth.”

Following the success of the England team, the Olympic Committee are looking at introducing fishing as an Olympic sport for London 2012 because fishing is the most participated sport in England.

At current, England has five fishing teams, the Under-16s, Under-18s, Under-22’s, Veterans and the Disabled team but Daniel feels that if the sport is going to grow then it needs more publicity.

He said: “We need promotion and funding for lower age groups to promote interest from a younger age.

“I’d encourage anyone who is interested in the sport to contact the local fishing tackle shops and get involved.”

Daniel has started practising for the Angling Trust National competition, the biggest fishing competition in the UK, which will be held in Nottingham in August.

He will be competing in the Nationals for Sensas Mark One, their top fishing team.