Following a successful assessment day held on the Gloucester canal on Saturday 12th April, Mark Downes, Drennan Team England Under 23s Manager is pleased to announce his young lions who will represent the Angling Trust and their sponsors Drennan International in the FIPSed World Youth Championships in Assen, Netherlands from 25th – 26th July 2014.

Mark Downes, Drennan Team England Manager stated “The canal fished well on the assessment day with Matt Godfrey leading the way with 20 lb of skimmers and roach.  The venue will be difficult and the Gloucester canal is as perfect a practise venue we can get leading up to the World Championships.  The squad will be holding other practise days on the water before their trip to Holland.”

Sam Hughes joins the U23s from last year’s victorious win for him as the U18s World Champion.  Rory Jones, last year’s U23s bronze medallist also gets back into the team this year.

Drennan Team England U23s squad are;
Matt Godfrey (Sheffield) (PICTURED)
Matt Derry (Cannock)
Rory Jones (Herefordshire)
Alex Clements (Hampshire)
James Dent (Yarm)
Sam Hughes (Gloucestershire)

Dick Clegg, OBE, International Events Manager, Angling Trust said “’Although England has not won the FIPSed  Under 23’s World Championships in the past few years the team is still ranked number one in the World because of their consistency, and all the other countries will fear them when the teams compete in Holland this year.”

“With four of last year’s silver medal team still available for selection and last years Under 18’s World Champion Sam Hughes making up the fifth member it looks as though manager Mark Downes will be taking a very experienced squad to Assen in the Netherlands.  I am sure Drennan team England will once more make the podium, and we are all hoping for Gold.  Prior to 2012 this competition was for anglers under 22 years of age,  and it has now been running for 28 years this year so I am sure England will be World Champions.”