This is the night for a get-together, fun, banter and to celebrate the achievements of our members over the past season. We combine the SMAC awards with SMDAC to make it even more of a family gathering. This Awards ceremony was a little daunting for your new chairman because it was the first in living memory not hosted by Steve Kelly. Nevertheless (and to the huge relief of the chairman), Steve had carried on behind the scenes managing the club competition standings and the winners’ trophies for this event too.

We invited Rupert Bremer from Premier Marinas to present the trophies and he lived up to, and exceeded, his reputation for glamorous costumes. This year he topped off his amazing goldfish suit with a fender-head of epic proportions, and I was rather relieved when it came off safely.

Anyway, on with the show and Steve Kelly who is Treasurer of SMDAC took the mic to announce their prizes. Firth thing however was to welcome John Calton as the new Chairman – wait, no, it is now Commodore, selected to top the rank of his brother in a neighbouring club. To seal the appointment, John was presented with a hat of suitable glamour which I’m sure will attract admiring glances when he wears it around Southsea (which he is now obliged to do).

The official trophy winners for SMDAC were:

  • Cod Cup (ok, Whiting then): John Calton
  • Best Specimen Cup: Tony Tadd
  • Species Hunt Cup: Frank Chatfield
  • George Dominy Memorial Cup: Frant Chatfield
  • Silver Fish Trophy: Jenny Munday
  • Lake Specimen Trophy: Tony Tadd
  • Mixed Lake Cup: Frank Chatfield
  • Champion Runner Up: Ben Munday
  • SMDAC Club Champion 2026: Frank Chatfield

Before moving on to the SMAC trophies, we had a quick catch-up on the Fish Of The Month winnings that hadn’t been collected, and distribution of the 21 Specimen Fish certificates and medals to:

  • Sam Cofie
  • Ray Plomer
  • Dave Chapman
  • Steve Tambling
  • Andy Bird
  • Pete Churchill

The Trophy Winners for SMAC based on the final competition standings were:

  • Pollack Cup: Mark Banks
  • Best Turbot or Brill Cup: Jim Atkins
  • Ladies Cup; Soulla Banks
  • Junior Cup: Jack Dickson
  • Catch & Release Cup: Steve Tambling
  • Best Specimen Cup: Andy Bird
  • Species Hunt Cup: Pete Churchill (32)
  • Junior Species Hunt Cup: Fergus Morrison (2)
  • Ladies Species Hunt Cup: Pack Eckersall (10)
  • Nelson Mandela Cup: Everyone that fished it!
  • Cod Open Best Placed Member: Dan Lumsden
  • Bream Open Best Placed Member: Jim Atkins
  • Bass Competition Best Placed Member: Steve Tambling
  • Bill Arnold Memorial Trophy: Steve Kelly

This trophy is awarded to the member who has made the most significant contribution to the club, and the recipient remains secret until the night. This trophy was awarded to the same person that was actually organising the trophies – Steve Kelly, so that involved some careful deception. An award to Steve for his amazing service and dedication was long overdue so it was a delight to see the surprise on his face!

  • Cod Pool: Tim Andrews (First and Second)
  • Place Cup: Dan Lumsden
  • Bream Cup: Tim Andrews
  • Bass Cup: Jim Atkins
  • Cod Cup: Tim Andrews
  • Pairs Cup: Tim Andrews and Mark Banks
  • Champions Cup Runner Up: Neil Glazier
  • SMAC Club Champion 2026: Tim Andrews

After an interlude for food and a top-up of drinks, we drew the raffle prizes. We had an impressive array of tackle and accessories, and huge thanks to all the members who generously paid for tickets even though some couldn’t attend on the night.

It was a very enjoyable evening and it’s great to socalise and talk fishing at a time of the year when any other fishing activity is a bit grim. We would like to thank Steve Kelly, retiring chairman who still did a lot of organising for the evening; Eleanor Atkins particularly for ticket sales and organising food; Dan Lumsden for prizes and raffle; Jim Atkins as photographer and assistant organiser; Dave Newnham; Premier Marinas for prize donations, Rupert Bremer for his celebrity presence; the Marina Bar for looking after us; Steve Tambling, champion lead-maker for his prize contributions; and of course everyone present and absent who helped make the evening a great success. Next year, do come along, bring your partners, don’t be shy and have a great time.