MANAGER NAMED FOR NEW ENGLAND U22 CARP TEAM

The Angling Trust Competitions team is delighted to announce that Paul Gordon has been named as the new England U22 Carp team manager with immediate effect.

Accomplished carp match angler Paul, from Kent, brings a wealth of angling and management experience to the role which will see him form England’s first-ever U22 squad over the next few months and compete in the World Championship in Italy next year.

His first role will be to respond to the many applications we received from young anglers who wanted to be part of the inaugural squad.

The FIPS-ed U22 World Carp Champs is new competition which runs alongside the Ladies World Champs, an event Paul has plenty of experience at having supported his partner – England regular Nikki Gordon – and team manager Adam Dowd over the past few years.

“It was disappointing for England not to be able to field a team at the first event last year,” admitted Paul. “But that was the spark for me to start my mission to rectify that.

“We have some amazing, talented young carp anglers in this country and I’m looking forward to getting them all together over the next few months to see what they can do and support them with the training they need to become even better anglers.”

Angling Trust Head of Competitions and Team England, Steve Fitzpatrick, welcomed Paul to this exciting new role.

“Paul has an incredible drive and passion to not only be at the forefront of establishing this new England team but has a solid structure for its longer-term development towards regular success on the World stage.

“He’s no stranger to World Championships having supported his partner Nikki – who has been part of the England Ladies Carp team for many years – and assisting Ladies team manager Adam Dowd at several international events.

“Let’s not forget, this is a voluntary role and will command a lot of time and effort to get right but having seen Paul’s three-year plan for success, including the resources he can call upon, I’m sure we’ll be celebrating sooner rather than later.”

Paul joins fellow Angling Trust carp team managers Neil Rivers (England Seniors Carp Team) and Adam Dowd (England Ladies Carp Team) and will be actively working to create a pathway for his young anglers to be part of their two senior teams.

If you applied for a place in the England U22 Carp squad then Paul will be in touch with your directly over the next few weeks.

* The England U22 Carp squad is currently seeking sponsorship in their bid for World Champs glory – if you think you can help please email [email protected]