The NFA has extended the deadline for applicants for the England Youth Trials to 30th April. The application forms for the 2007 England U16s and U21s Youth Trials are available for download from the NFA website, www.nfadirect.com. Following the successes of Portugal 2006, where the England U16s won Bronze and the U21s came home with a Silver medal, the standard of angler needs to be high.

Applicants must impress both Mark Downes and Steve Sanders the England Youth Team Managers, who will once again be tasked with the search for the finest young talent this country can provide. Successful applicants will represent England in this year’s World Championships taking place in the Czech Republic.

The venue, a powerful deep river, is full of Bream and Bleak, and the successful candidates will need to be expert on the long pole and speed fishing for small fish.

The under 21s (left) and the Under 16s from last year…

This year’s trials will take place in May on a venue yet to be decided.  The format of the trials will be split into four as the U21s have to include two under 18s in the squad, and the U16s two under 14s.  The U21s must be under 21 years of age on the 31st December 2007 and the U16s under 16 on the 31st December 2007.

All completed application forms including nominations plus references must be at the NFA by no later than 30th April 2007. Forms should be sent to: National Federation of Anglers, The National Water Sports Centre, Adbolton Lane, Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham, NG12 2LU.