The National Junior Canal Championship is being organised in partnership with the Angling Trust. The competition is open to anyone aged between 12 and 16 with the winner taking home the top prize and being crowned national champion.
The match is taking place on 24 October on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal at Curdworth.
The youngsters will be able to gain inspiration from some of the best anglers in the country as the National Canal Pairs Championship is also taking place in Curdworth on the same day.
Ultimate test of skill
John Ellis, national fisheries & angling manager for the Canal & River Trust said; “This is a great opportunity for young anglers to show us what they can do. Canal fishing is the ultimate test of skill and to be crowned the UK's National Junior Canal Angling Champion will be a fantastic honour for any junior angler.
“Canals are great for young anglers, they're easily accessible, low cost and full of fish so there's nowhere better for them to hone their skills.
“We want to inspire more young people to have a go at angling and competitions like this are a great way of doing that. The match also gives a great opportunity for the competitors to see some of the country's best senior anglers up close and maybe take a few tips home. With a bit of luck they may be in that position in a few years' time which is a really exciting prospect.”
David Kent from the Angling Trust said; “Many of our top international anglers, past and present, cut their teeth on canals. England consistently ranks around No 1 in the world and so it is vital that there is a continuous flow of talented youngsters coming through to ensure that Team England retains and even improves its world ranking.
“This is a great opportunity for our young anglers to, perhaps, experience fishing in a national competition for the first time and, hopefully, go on to greater things. However it is vitally important that they enjoy the occasion and I'm sure that they will.”
The championship is free to enter with 50 spaces available and bookings can be made through the Angling Trust by emailing [email protected] or telephoning 0115 9061 301 for an entry form.
