News
Release
BASS FISHING’S JUNIOR WORLD CHAMPION TO BE CROWNED AUG. 16, 2008 IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FORREST WOOD CUP
COLUMBIA,
S.C. (Dec. 12, 2007) – The
Bass Federation announced today that its 2008 National Guard Junior
World Championship will be held on Lake Monticello in Columbia, S.C.,
Aug. 15-16 in conjunction with the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup – the
nation’s most lucrative bass-fishing championship. Not only will daily
weigh-ins be held alongside the world’s top professional anglers on
the main FLW stage at the Colonial Center, but results will be streamed
live along with video and audio to fans around the world watching “FLW
Live” on FLWOutdoors.com. The
TBF National Guard Junior World Championship will feature youth anglers
from as many as 46 states fishing for $30,000 in scholarships plus
$12,000 in youth-program grants. Each participating state will be
represented by two junior anglers: one in the 11 to 14 age bracket and
another in the 15 to 18 age bracket, both of whom will receive travel
assistance to Columbia. Every youth angler will also be treated to a
world championship-caliber pizza party served up by the National Guard
pro team and featuring high-energy games, entertainment and sponsor
prizes. “This
is the third year for the National Guard Junior World Championship, and
every year the bar is raised in terms of exposure, participation and
excitement,” said TBF President Robert Cartlidge. “The young anglers
who qualify represent the future of our sport, which I’m glad to say
is in good shape based on the 23 percent growth our TBF junior angler
program has experienced in past year. More children than ever before are
now learning to fish through local TBF clubs, and this is a direct
reflection of the awesome support provided by FLW Outdoors and the
National Guard.” The
junior anglers will each be paired with an FLW Outdoors pro for
competition on Lake Monticello. There will be three anglers to a boat: a
junior angler from each age group plus an FLW Outdoors pro who will
assist the junior anglers but will not fish. The two junior anglers will
share control of the boat for the day but will compete in their
respective age groups. The full field of junior anglers will compete
Aug. 15 then be cut to the top angler in each age bracket from each of
the TBF’s six geographic divisions. Weights will be zeroed Aug. 16 as
six anglers in the 11 to 14 age bracket and six anglers in the 15 to 18
age bracket continue competition, with the winners determined by the
heaviest catch from that day. Qualifying
for the 2008 TBF National Guard Junior World Championship will take
place between January and July, 2008. “The
National Guard Junior World Championship allows The Bass Federation’s
brightest upcoming anglers to elevate their game and be spotlighted
during the Forrest Wood Cup, which drew a record crowd of more than
60,000 people over the course of the event in 2007,” said FLW/TBF
Programs Manager David Simmons. “It’s such a great way to enhance
the FLW Outdoors/TBF partnership and provide an experience of a lifetime
for the next generation of anglers and their families. Of course, none
of this would be possible without the hard work and support of TBF youth
directors and parents nationwide.” First-place
finishers in each age bracket will receive a $5,000 scholarship in
addition to a sponsor merchandise package. Second-place finishers will
receive $3,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Third-place finishers
will receive $2,500 scholarships plus sponsor packages. Fourth-place
finishers will receive $2,000 scholarships plus sponsor packages.
Fifth-place finishers will receive $1,500 scholarships plus sponsor
packages. Sixth-place finishers will receive $1,000 scholarships plus
sponsor packages. Additionally,
FLW Outdoors, on behalf of the National Guard, will award $1,000 to each
of the state TBF chapters represented by the six finalists in each age
bracket. This money, totaling $12,000, will benefit each chapter’s
youth program. The eventual champions will also be featured in an
episode of “FLW Outdoors,” which airs nationwide on FSN (Fox Sport
Net), in Canada on WFN (World Fishing Network)
and to more than 429 million households in the United Kingdom, Europe,
Russia, Australia, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through a
broadcasting agreement with Matchroom Sport. “FLW Outdoors” is also
broadcast to more than 800,000 servicemembers stationed around the world
in 177 countries and aboard Navy ships by the American Forces Network.
Check local listings for show times. “It’s
a thrill for me to work with our youth directors and children nationwide
on the National Guard Junior World Championship, which provides much
needed international recognition for the positive activities, like
fishing, pursued by America’s youth,” said TBF National Youth
Director Mark Gintert. “Nothing less than the best is good enough for
our young anglers, and that is exactly what we intend to provide in 2008
and for many years to come.” Past
National Guard Junior World Championship winners Josh Wagy of Dewitt,
Va., and Shane Lehew of Charlotte, N.C., have gone on to compete
successfully in the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League and the Stren Series. For more information about TBF Junior Angler programs, contact your state’s TBF chapter. A list of chapters can be found at www.bassfederation.com. For more information about FLW Outdoors and the Forrest Wood Cup, visit www.flwoutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. Editors:
Visit the FLW Outdoors Media Center at http://mc.flwoutdoors.com
for additional information and photos.
|
