England Teams announced for World and European Champs

The Angling Trust is excited to announce the England teams for both the World & European Championships and we hope our lions can roar once again on the international stage! Mark Downes has selected Will Raison as his captain this year and Will’s vast knowledge and experience will lend itself to a very active role in the planning and preparation for the team.

World Championships

This year’s Worlds will be held in Osiek, Croatia in September, on a lake that was transformed into an international match length back in 2010. As yet the fish stocks are unknown, but Carassio and bleak were the predominant species. It is rumoured that skimmer bream are now present in the venue and it should be a great fishing event. It’s a venue where good all-round skills will be required, Long Pole, Whip and slider tactics could all play a part.

This year the team will have a great blend of youth and experience with Matt Godfrey and Cameron Hughes both retaining their place after strong performances in Italy. Alan Scotthorne comes back in after missing the trip to Italy last year and his added experience will be invaluable.

The Team is:

Will Raison (Captain}

Alan Scotthorne

Sean Ashby

Steve Hemmingray

Matt Godfrey

Cameron Hughes.

European Championships

This year’s European Championships will be held along the famous International River Sorraia in Coruche. It’s been a reasonable hunting ground for previous England Teams, culminating in 2017 with a Gold Team medal for the U25 team. A notoriously difficult venue the Sorraia can be fickle. Long distance waggler work, with tiny hooks for small barbell has historically been the main approach but Carrassio, Catfish, Mullet and Bleak can all play their part in building a weight.

Once again, the Team for the European Championships will major on the youth element with three recent Junior and Youth anglers, all now established top team performers, making it into the squad. Congratulations to James Dent and Simon Willsmore who return to the squad after outstanding years.

The Team is:

Will Raison (Captain}

Steve Hemmingray.

Simon Willsmore

Matt Godfrey

Cam Hughes

James Dent

Mark Downes commented:

“Our younger anglers are really coming on leaps and bounds; they have built up great experience within both England junior teams and at club level, fishing world club events. With the possibility of England hosting the Worlds in 2024 0r 2025 they will all play a major role as the team moves forward.”

Angling Trust CEO Jamie Cook added:

“Since the start of my tenure I’ve had a real ambition to push forward our international teams both by looking for further sponsorships and helping them grow their media presence. The Angling Trust are investing more money direct than ever before in Team England and talent pathways across all three disciplines. We know that high profile success helps to inspire future generations – put simply ‘if you can see it then you can be it’ and our Nations and European teams are representing us at the highest levels in this sphere.

“Our investment goes beyond cash – In 2023 and moving forward, we will be holding a dedicated FIPS rules weekend, providing additional opportunities for our top anglers to hone their skills under international conditions and offering the chance for aspiring anglers to prove their credentials. Our ambition to host international championships will provide profile and exposure to Team England and competition angling as a whole, as an amateur sport who receive no elite level government funding that exposure is critical to both our growth and success.

“Having met many of the anglers selected and seen them fish first hand I’m excited to see what this team will achieve next.”