Topline Pools and Wellness are finally celebrating after landing first place in the Target Sport Stars Fishing Championship.
The annual fundraiser which brings together stars from the world of sport and entertainment to raise money for charity took place at Tunnel Barn Farm Fishery in Warwickshire on Tuesday 30 July, but news of the result was kept strictly under-wraps until Wednesday 28 August when the event was aired on ITV4 and the winner revealed.
Featuring 32 household sporting names from Boxing, Darts, Snooker, Football, Netball, Rugby, Athletics, Badminton and Angling including Luke Littler, Tony Bellew, Terry Butcher and Gail Emms, the celebrities were divided into eight teams of four competing over four hours to win the coveted title.
Lining up for Team Topline were six-time world snooker champion Steve Davis OBE, veteran TV sports presenter, producer and broadcaster Gary Newbon MBE, former Women’s World Masters Darts Champion Lorraine Winstanley and team captain two-time World Grand Prix and UK Open Darts Champion James Wade. Taking on the role of team manager was Topline director, Andy Bolton, while some of the country’s top pole anglers and match fishing coaches Des Shipp, Bradley Gibbons and Emily Mather provided some invaluable match-winning hints, tips and insights.
Now in its 12th year, the star-studded fish-off, organised by Jess Harding director at JBD Events, was raising funds for The Willow Foundation. Founded by former goalkeeper Bob Wilson OBE and his wife Megs, the charity helps young adults between the ages of 16-40 take much needed time out from the reality of living with serious illness creating bespoke life-affirming experiences that boost morale and bring friends and families together to create precious memories. Willow is a lasting memorial to Bob and Megs daughter Anna who tragically died of cancer at the age of 31.
This isn’t the first time Topline has won the Sport Stars Fishing Championship, having landed the top honour back in 2020 again with Steve Davis, although that time under the name of Team Snooker. And for James Wade, it was a second consecutive win having scooped both the single and team title last year! But for Topline director, Andy Bolton, it was a relief to get that second win on the board and avoid losing ground following much friendly banter between the teams over the years.
Speaking after the event, Andy Bolton said: “I really look forward to this every year. It’s such a great event with so many sports and tv stars raising funds for the Willow Foundation while enjoying a great day’s fishing, and I’m super proud to be a part of it.
“It’s fun but super competitive. We probably take it far too seriously. And for it to go all the way to the wire like it did was brilliant! However, we’ve now got the trophy and bragging rights again!
“Steve, James, Lorraine and Gary were incredible reeling in fish after fish and the support from Des, Bradley and Emily was amazing!
“Thank you to everyone involved and especially Jess Harding and event organisers, JBD Sports Agents for putting together another fantastic event!”
If you didn’t get the chance to see the original broadcast you can now watch the whole event on ITVX.
