Competitions

JASON KIRK NAMED NEW ENGLAND U20 TEAM MANAGER

 

The Angling Trust is delighted to announce that Jason Kirk has been appointed as the new England U20 coarse team manager.

Jason brings a huge amount of international experience to the role having performed a coaching and assistant manager role with the England Ladies squad since 2010 and has worked closely with the England U15 Youth set up since 2017.

The U20 squad, sponsored by Sheffield-based law giants SSB Group, won team and individual silver in Slovenia last August under Jason’s leadership after he stepped in following travel complications for previous manager Howard Kaye.

With Howard stepping down at the end of 2022 a new manager was sought with Jason confirmed to be the new man at the helm this week.

“I believe England has a very strong future at world level and the standard of young anglers within our country has never been higher. With the support and right guidance these young people have no limits as to what they can achieve,” he said.

Jason fishes at the highest levels of the domestic match scene too and his partner Samantha Sim and son Billy are both currently active members of England teams so is aware of what’s needed to compete and manage at the top level of the sport.

“There’s no doubt that Jason is the right person for this demanding role,” said Steve Fitzpatrick, Angling Trust Head of Competitions. “He lives and breathes fishing, is a strong communicator and coach, and tactically he’s incredibly sharp through fishing and managing at the highest levels.

“His character, skills, and experience of international events will stand the squad in good stead for the event in Portugal this summer where he will be joining up with the England U15 and U25 squads to fish the River Sorraia in Coruche.

“We are lucky to have been able to secure his services for the role and I’m sure he, and his backroom team, will be wanting to turn their silver of 2022 into gold this year.”

 

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT FOR ENGLAND U20 SQUAD

Jason’s first task will be to establish an assessment day for potential squad members to take part in. All applications to fish this event must be made through the link here…

Team England U20 assessment application form

The deadline for applications is Friday March 10, 2023, and the assessment day will take place in April at a venue to be confirmed. Please note all applicants must be under 20 years old on December 31, 2022.

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