FLWOutdoors.com: "FLWOutdoors.com"
06.May.2011
PONCA CITY, Okla. — The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW Outdoors, announced it will be hosting the inaugural Student Angler Federation Texas High School Fishing State Championship, May 21 at Lake Lavon, just outside of Allen, Texas. The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12.
Registration for high school anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org or by calling (580) 765-9031. Check-in begins at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 20, at the brand-new Cabela’s retail store on U.S. Highway 75 at the Stacy Road exit in Allen, Texas, with a mandatory rules briefing at 6:30 p.m. We highly encourage all teams to pre-register online or by phone in advance to avoid registration fees.
"The city of Allen, Texas, is thrilled to be hosting the first Student Angler Federation Texas State High School State Bass Fishing Championship," Tourism Director Karen Cromwell stated. "We are eager to bring these young anglers and their families to our city for what promises to be a great event."
Students and parents can go to HighSchoolFishing.org for details on the Student Angler Federation (SAF) and to sign up. Cost is only $25/ year and includes full TBF and FLW Outdoors benefits, including access to the all-new FLW Outdoors Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for students and their club. The winning two-person team from each state championship will advance to an FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing Regional Championship held in conjunction with a National Guard FLW College Fishing Regional Championship hosted on a college campus this fall.
Ranger boats will be provided for the high school anglers to fish from at each regional championship, and the winners from each regional will advance to the FLW Outdoors/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held on a college campus in conjunction with the National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship in the spring of 2012. All SAF members and state championship participants qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2011 High School Fishing World Finals, July 20-23 in Russellville, Ark., to compete for thousands in college scholarships and prizes. Start planning your vacation now! Each team that qualifies for a regional and/or national championship will receive a travel allowance to help offset expenses. The High School Fishing National Championship winner’s will also each receive a $5,000 scholarship to use at the university of their choice.
If you’re not an SAF member, there’s a $25 fee per angler for the state championship, which includes full TBF/FLW Outdoors membership benefits, and the onetime fee covers ALL SAF sanctioned events all year!
“We’re very excited to be working with the TBF of Texas Federation and the city of Allen to help bring this event to the state of Texas,” TBF National President Robert Cartlidge said. “Our affiliated state federations are the backbone of the industry; they’re on the ground doing the work to put on these types of events and give high school anglers in Texas a chance to grow their skills, have some fun, compete to advance, and get involved with other programs the TBF of Texas Federation has to offer.”
“High School anglers are fortunate to have the TBF of Texas Federation well established in this state and eager to help with this event, which promises to be a great one,” TBF National Youth Director Mark Gintert commented. “Our Student Angler Federation has a great start in Texas with several students participating in our High School Fishing World Finals last year held in Russellville, Arkansas. I’m sure they’re ready to show everyone in the state how far they’ve come as anglers.”
Another unique feature of an SAF sanctioned event is the “angler testing” component. Anglers can take a free online test at HighSchoolFishing.org about boater safety, conservation and angler ethics, which makes them eligible for contingency awards at their state championship. “It’s an industry first by TBF and a tremendous way to emphasize the importance of education to these student anglers,” Gintert commented. “The Federation is driven by our desire to promote education through fishing and the testing component is designed to do exactly that. Put this package together with our partnership with FLW Outdoors and the sky is the limit. These young anglers will have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event details:
• State Championship sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org OR BY PHONE (580) 765-9031. Questions? E-mail info@highschoolfishing.com or call (580) 765-9031. If you have to you can register at the Saturday mandatory check-in; however, there will be a $25/ per angler late fee. The best way is to pre-register online at HighSchoolFishing.org and avoid the late fee.
• Mandatory check-in: Friday, May 20, 4:30-6:30 p.m. CDT, new Cabela’s store, U.S. Highway 75 at the Stacy Road exit in Allen, Texas; rules briefing 6:30 p.m.
• Takeoff and weigh-in: Saturday, May 21, at the Brockdale Ramp on Lake Lavon, 1625 Brockdale Park Road, Allen, TX 75002, 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
