England Youth Teams Announced

After three weeks of extensive trialling in which over 80 youngsters were viewed by England coaches Mark Downes, Steve Saunders and Joe Roberts, both the Sensas Team England U-16s and Drennan Team England U-21 teams have now been finalised.

The final trial took place at Furzton Lakes, Milton Keynes, and despite the hot calm conditions fishing was generally good. 

Steve Saunders said afterwards “Each year picking a team gets more difficult as the standard continues to improve. The team we have selected to travel to the Czech Republic is an excellent one, and I’m sure that will gain a good medal.”

Mark Downes, Joint NFA Team Manager, commented “We are now seeing the benefits of the NFA entering the U-16 World Championships four years ago.  We now have a steady progression of youngsters who are familiar with international match fishing techniques and are moving through the system.  Four of my U-21 squad have already fished at U-16 level and I’m sure will do extremely well on what, hopefully, will be a good fishing venue.”

Dick Clegg, NFA International Events Director, commented; “I have total faith in the ability of the people running the event, and wish the teams well, and hope they come back with a medal.”

The venue is the River Labe in the town of Pardubice, some 60 miles from Prague.  This is a wide river approximately 3m deep and holding a good head of bream and bleak.  Other species likely to be encountered are vimba and roach.

The match itself will be run on Saturday and Sunday, August 4th and 5th, with the previous five days allocated for practice.

The U-16 team, selected by Steve Saunders is:

 Connor Barlow – Manchester
 Adam Byron – Royston
 Matt Derry – Walsall
 Matt Godfrey – Sheffield
 Jake Marshall – Surrey
 Rory Jones – Gloucester

The U-21 team, selected by Mark Downes is as follows:

 Cameron Hughes – Derby
 Callum Dicks – Bristol
 Rick Hinds – Wigan
 John Taylor – Lincoln
 Eric Yeomans – Swadlincote
 William Bohne – Dorset