The Angling Trust has announced the return of the Guru Team England Under 15 Talent Pathway for 2025, offering young anglers a chance to represent their country in international competitions. This prestigious programme aims to identify and nurture the next generation of competitive anglers for Team England.
Talent Pathway Eligibility and Application Process
The Angling Trust Guru Talent Pathway is open to anglers over 10 years old and under 15 as of December 31st, 2024. Applications opened on January 6, 2025, and will close on February 10, 2025. Interested young anglers can apply through the Angling Trust website.
Successful applicants will participate in three assessment and coaching days in March and April 2025. These sessions will occur at Makin’s and Meadowlands Fisheries, both in Warwickshire. The dates for these sessions are:
- March 29th: Guru Makin’s Fishery, Wolvey
- April 5th: Meadowlands Fishery, Ryton-on-Dunsmore
- April 12th: Meadowlands Fishery, Ryton-on-Dunsmore (Final assessment)
The young anglers will be under the guidance of an experienced management team, including Matt Godfrey, James Dent, Frankie Gianoncelli, and Joe Roberts. Additional expert coaches Billy Reynolds, Danny Williamson, and James Lewis will also be in attendance. Matt Godfrey had this to say:
We’re looking for talented young anglers who not only have the right skills and temperament on the bank but also exhibit an exceptional attitude towards the level of preparation it takes to be part of a successful England team.
The programme will assess not only the anglers’ skills but also their ability to learn and apply new techniques. Participants are expected to complete homework between sessions and demonstrate their commitment to improvement.
Opportunities and Support
The Talent Pathway offers a unique opportunity for young anglers to potentially join the Guru Team England Under 15 squad. The team has a strong track record, having won gold at the previous year’s world championship in Serbia, with individual gold and silver medals secured by team members.
Tackle Guru and Mainline Match are supporting the programme by providing tackle and bait packs to all successful applicants. Only 40 spots are available, making the selection process highly competitive.
World Championship Preparation
The 2025 Talent Pathway has been scheduled earlier than usual to allow more preparation time for the selected team. The World Championships will take place in Spain from August 4th to 9th, 2025, giving the coaching staff ample time to work with the chosen anglers.
Good luck to everyone who applies.
