The one that didn’t get away – RN officer receives top angling award

A Royal Navy officer has received the UK Armed Forces Angling Colours – the first year the Colours have been awarded.

Cdr Steve Mardlin, chairman of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Coarse Angling Association, competed for the UKAF team in the Thames Championships.

The award follows a restructuring of the association, with two events qualifiying for Colours – Team Commercial Stillwater National (a stocked and managed lake) and the Thames Championships (river angling).

Both events select the best coarse anglers from the three Services.

Cdr Mardlin received the Colours from Naval Secretary Rear Admiral Simon Williams at a ceremony at Navy Command Headquarters at Whale Island, Portsmouth.

Rear Admiral Williams said: “I am delighted that Steve has earned this honour; he is not only a gifted angler but he is in the vanguard of bringing this sport to a wider audience within the Navy."

I am delighted that Steve has earned this honour; he is not only a gifted angler but he is in the vanguard of bringing this sport to a wider audience within the Navy.

Rear Admiral Williams