Introduction page showing team photos and description for Frog CIC outdoor education group.

Meet the Team

  • Two men standing in front of a banner at a fishing competition, with one handing over an award to the other, both holding a trophy and an envelope.

    Joseph Owens

    FROG CIC. Co-Founder & Director

    • GAI Ireland, Single Handed Rod Casting Instructor

    • Level 2 Angling Trust Qualified Angling Coach

    • ‘Leave No Trace’ Trained

    I have a lifelong passion for angling and the outdoors, coming from the benefits I have gained from it. I have been introducing youths to angling for leisure and competition at both National, Four Nations and also to World Championship level. I also introduce youth to being environmentally aware of the importance of our rivers, lakes and their watersheds. Learning our youth to be aware of the Eco Systems and Flora/Fauna and how to look after them.

  • A man in a black jacket with a logo talking to a woman in a red jacket at an outdoor event with zoomed fly fishing flies on display.

    Don McCloskey Snr

    Coach

    A passionate angling coach with a specialism in fly tying, I bring years of hands-on experience to helping anglers of all levels refine their skills both on the water and at the vice. Rooted in a deep appreciation for traditional country sports, my approach blends technique, patience, and a respect for nature.

    Whether guiding a beginner through their first cast or helping a seasoned angler perfect a hatch-matching pattern, my goal is always the same: to share the joy and craft of fly fishing in its purest form.

  • A man taking a selfie wearing a black jacket with a Frog Outdoor Educators logo on the chest.

    Don McCloskey Jr

    Coach

    I'm a passionate game angler with a love for wild trout, traditional field sports, and time spent in untamed landscapes. Whether casting a fly on a quiet river or stalking deer on the hill, I find real connection in nature. I coach to pass on not just skills, but a deep respect for our countryside and its wildlife.

    My hope is for clean rivers, healthy fish stocks, and a future where field sports and conservation go hand in hand.

  • A man and a young girl sitting in a small wooden boat displayed outdoors, with a large round sign reading 'Frog Outdoor Educators' featuring a frog with a magnifying glass. The scene is on a grassy field with a fence, cars, and houses in the background.

    Mark Neely

    Coach

    Hi, I’m Mark, and I’ve been coaching for over 10 years in angling and fly-tying workshops throughout Northern Ireland and Donegal. I work for Sharpes of Aberdeen.

    I think coaching came naturally to me, as angling and anything outdoors-oriented has been a massive part of my life for as long as I can remember. From fishing, hunting dogs, deer stalking, fly-tying, and rod building, to studying bugs and invertebrates, the natural world captured my interest at a young age and still inspires me today.

    Passing that knowledge down to the younger generation, helping them understand how to keep our environment and wildlife safe and healthy, feels like one of the best legacies anyone can leave behind. Young people are the future protectors of our rivers and wildlife, and without education, so much of it could be lost to greed. That’s why I coach.

  • A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black jacket with a frog logo and a black cap, holding a piece of paper, standing in front of a green and black frog logo and a blue banner.

    Warren Brown

    Coach

    Hey, my name is Warren Brown. I’m 34 years old and a Level 1 Coach. I completed my Level 1 Coaching Course with the Loughs Agency in 2010 and really enjoyed it! I currently work for Dennett Outdoor, a wholesaler for fishing and hunting equipment. Working here definitely comes in handy when we need gear and equipment for coaching days.

    My reason for coaching is that I enjoy passing on my experiences, information, and knowledge to young people starting out — and even to the mums and dads who’ve recently taken an interest in the sport. The type of fishing I’m most interested in is sea fishing. I compete in competitions all over the country, and sometimes even further afield. I’ve represented both Ulster and Ireland in the past.

    Another outdoor pastime I enjoy is foraging for bait on local beaches and estuaries at low tide. I usually spend days walking miles to find bait of all different shapes and sizes. My hope for the future is that the sport continues to grow, and that our rivers, lakes, and seas are looked after — so the next generation has a chance to experience the sport I love!

  • Man sitting at a desk creating a fishing lure using fly tying tools and materials.

    Clarke Mcconkey

    Coach

    Clarke is a keen angler from County Tyrone with over 20 years of experience, he grew up with the view of a Stillwater fishery from his bedroom window and from the age of 7 he was hooked. With the ballinderry river a stones throw away, trout, salmon and dollaghan were on the menu. Clarke specialises in fly fishing and fly tying but also has experience in other aspects of angling. 

    After recently starting his coaching journey he would like to pass on the skills and experience that was passed on to him through the members of his local clubs. 

    With hopes to see a rise in the angling community clarke aspires to help those and the environment we live in today.