New Zealand Sport Fishing Council Inaugural Youth Nationals

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council is holding the first ever youth fishing Nationals during the 2022 April school holidays.

NZSFC CEO Steven Standford says: “There is a growing recognition amongst schools and Sport NZ that many modern children are not participating in the traditional sports promoted at school.

“As a kid, there are growing levels of physical disparity amongst children - no one wants to compete with school rugby front rows that weigh as much as the All Blacks packs. And as a parent, most of us would be able to see for themselves that our kids are spending too much time in front of their screens in a sedentary lifestyle. ”

The event is the inspiration of the junior members of the NZSFC Youth Committee, a group of enthusiastic members ranging in age from 8 to 16. They were keen to build a tournament that caters to all levels of fishing skill, be fun and also a challenge for serious competitors.

Fishing is one of New Zealand’s favourite past times with over 600,000 kiwis regularly participating in any one year, and 3,000 registered youth fishers within the NZSFC network. It is a great way for families to bond and provides lessons in patience, self-reliance and determination.

“NZSFC youth fishers are confident, self-reliant and socially aware human beings. They are also very environmentally aware and this comes through in a new measure and release fishing category.”

The inaugural Youth Nationals is the first nationwide competition aimed solely at youth in NZ. There are many club youth competitions and there is a youth section in the Nationals. However this is a national tournament solely for youth designed by youth.

“Fishing is a true family activity that doesn’t require high levels of physicality or skills - although some fishers would have you believe they are super skilful!”

“I was taken out on a boat at the age of 5, given a rod, shown how to bait a hook and promptly caught a nice bream. That started a lifelong interest in fishing that has included wharf fishing for sprats, fly fishing, fishing for sturgeon in Canada and good old drift fishing in NZ.

For further information please contact Steven Stanford on 021799163 or steven.stanford@nzsportfishing.org.nz

Background information

The event is open to all youth fishers under the age of 18 on the 30th April 2022. There are two age categories, 0-12 and 13-17.

Entry fees have been kept at a modest $5 for existing NZSFC youth members and $10 for non-members. If non members accompany a members their fee is reduced to $5.

For non-members to register, either visit your local NZSFC affiliated fishing club or email secretary@nzsportfishing.org.nz and we will facilitate registration.

The New Zealand Sport Fishing Council is a network of 55 member Clubs with 38,500 club members. It is a nationwide organisation dedicated to the promotion of fishing and responsible management of the marine environment.

The tournament is sponsored by Daiwa and there are many great prizes and trophies for both the keen tournament fisher and those dipping their rods for the first time. There is also a photo section sponsored by Fuji. For more information go to https://www.nzsportfishing.co.nz/nzsfc-junior-nationals/

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