Coarse Talent Pathway
The Angling Trust Tackle Guru Coarse Talent Pathway is a program for seasoned young match anglers that have a grounding match fishing. During the two training sessions and final they will receive in-depth coaching from England Internationals Matt Godfrey, Frankie Gianoncelli and James Dent. The course is intense and designed to develop anglers skills surrounding international and continental style fishing, with the aim to build up knowledge, practice and experience for the final session that will be used to select the England Under 15s team that will represent the country in the World Championship in France in summer 2026 (1st August to 9th August).
Young anglers are invited to apply and if selected can enter the Talent Pathway programme which aims to coach anglers into selection for the Under 15s Coarse England team, this selection is made by coaches and team managers at the final.
To take part in the pathway, there are strict minimum standards that must be met in order to enter the course and ensure anglers are comfortable in the Pathway environment:
- Tactically, we’re looking to hone anglers on their long pole fishing skills in deep water, 7ft to 12ft, catching silverfish like roach, skimmers, perch, hybrids and bream. We’ll be focusing on a groundbait and natural baits approach, and looking to learn things about accuracy, feeding, rigs, aggression and efficiency.
- Anglers will be expected to learn how to feed groundbait BY HAND, BY POLE CUP, and LOOSEFEEDING effectively with casters or maggot in a catapult.
- Anglers must have good match fishing experience, this is not a beginners fishing course and having experience fishing competitive matches is essential.
- Anglers must have a 13m pole with at least 3 match top kits and a cupping kit that are all the same length.
- Anglers must be capable of setting up, fishing and packing up without any help or interreference from parents or guardians.
- Anglers must be able to prepare their own tackle and bait to a high level at home with a heavy focus on hook tying, pole rig making and groundbait mixing.
- Waterproof clothing and sensible footwear will be needed on every session.
There will be two training sessions with coaching and info from our England Internationals, before you will fish a final where you will be placed by the coaches who have to make England Team selection on that day. This will be strict match conditions, and you will be expected to apply everything you’ve learned from the previous two training sessions.
To participate in the Talent Pathway programme, you must be aged over 10 years old and under 15 years old on 31st December 2025. N.B. this date range is subject to change.
If selected for the Angling Trust Tackle Guru Talent Pathway the entry cost is £100 and each angler will receive a Guru and Mainline Match groundbait and prep pack worth over £100, plus coaching from England internationals on all three sessions, with day ticket money also included.
Key dates for 2026
14th March – Session 1 – Meadowlands Fishery, Lambsdown Lake
4th April – Session 2 – Meadowlands Fishery, Lambsdown Lake
11th April – FINAL – Meadowlands Fishery, Lambsdown Lake
Applications are now open and will close at 5pm on Monday 9th February.
Sorry - applications have now closed
We need to collect your personal data to organise the Talent Pathway. We will pass on your contact details to the team organising the Talent Pathway and retain your details until the conclusion of the event, including a possible appearance in the final. We also ask for additional information on disabilities to help assign the right support where needed. Your personal details will then be deleted in accordance with our privacy policy.