FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PONCA CITY, Okla. (February 11, 2014) – The Bass Federation (TBF), in partnership with FLW is pleased to host the 2014 Student Angler Federation (SAF) Louisiana High School Fishing State Championship on the Red River, Sunday, March 9 launching at the Grand Ecore Ramp.
The state championship is a two person team event for students in grades 9-12. Registration for anglers and their “coach,” who will provide the boat they compete in, is online at HighSchoolFishing.org. The weekend activities will start with a free tour of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame on Friday evening from 7-9pm. Saturday will be a pre-fishing day until registration from 4-5:30pm at the Natchitoches Events Center. Dinner will also be provided for the anglers and coaches. The mandatory rules meeting will immediately follow dinner. Anglers are advised to book hotels early as there are several activities happening that weekend in the area.
“As an angler fishing several FLW and bass tournaments in Natchitoches on the Red River there’s not a better place to host the Louisiana High School Fishing Championship,” Dawia Pro, Steve Graf, said. “Good luck to all the young men and women who will be participating in this great event.”
“State championships allow every SAF member in North America the opportunity to fish in a championship tournament setting,” TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, stated. “This year, with the help of our partners at FLW, we’re expanding the program again by offering more advancement opportunities based on field size. In 2014, the top 10% of the field will advance. This rewards areas of the country working hard to grow the sport of high school fishing.”
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. Membership includes full TBF and FLW benefits, FLW Magazine e-Edition and insurance coverage for clubs and students. The top 10% of each SAF state championship and the top 3 teams from any SAF National OPEN event will advance to an FLW/TBF High School Fishing Conference Championship. The top 10% of each conference championship will advance to the FLW/TBF High School Fishing National Championship held spring of 2015 in conjunction with a major TBF or FLW event. The National Champions win a $5,000 college scholarship to the school or their choice. All SAF members nationwide and all open and state championship participants automatically qualify for the largest event in high school fishing, the 2014 High School Fishing World Finals. At the 2013 World Finals, over $40,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded. As with all SAF national events, there is no entry fee to this come one, come all, family vacation event that gives every high school team a shot at thousands in scholarships and prizes.
If you’re not a 2014 SAF member, there’s a one-time $25/per angler fee. This includes full TBF & FLW membership for the year, as well as, free entry to ALL National SAF events!
A unique SAF event feature is the “angler testing” component. It’s not “just about fishing” but also about education. This year’s angler testing will come from TBF’s new on-line education format with Faculty of Fishing. Anglers can go to highschoolfishing.org and click on “Online Education” then type in their SAF number and zip code to access the FOF site. They have a host of chapters covering a wide variety of topics. “Angler testing and education is an industry first by TBF,” Gintert said. “We built education into the foundation of the entire program when we began, and our partnership with FLW provides even more benefits and opportunities for them to take advantage of,” Gintert continued. “For only $25 per year these young anglers and have opportunities unlike anything the industry has ever seen.”
Event Details:
Sign-up: PRE-REGISTER ONLINE at HighSchoolFishing.org or a $25 late registration fee applies to those registering onsite. The best way is to pre-register online at highschoolfishing.org.
Mandatory Check-in: Saturday, March 8 at the Natchitoches Events Center located at 750 2nd Street in Natchitoches from 4-5:30pm followed by dinner and the rules meeting.
Takeoff & Weigh-in: Sunday, March 9 at Grand Ecore launch ramp. Questions? 580-765-9031
Tournament Waters: Red River (locking is permitted and off limits areas will be discussed at the Rules Meeting)
About FLW
FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing unparalleled fishing resources and entertainment to our sponsors, fans and host communities. FLW is offering anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2013 over the course of 231 tournaments across five tournament circuits, four of which provide an avenue to the sport’s richest payday and most coveted championship trophy – the Forrest Wood Cup. FLW is committed to providing a lifestyle experience that is the “Best in Fishing, On and Off the Water,” through a variety of platforms including tournaments, outdoor expos and FLW Fantasy Fishing. For more information about FLW and FLW Fantasy Fishing, visit FLWOutdoors.com or FantasyFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and YouTube.
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization there is. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for more than 45 years. TBF started the Student Angler Federation and the national High School Fishing program in 2008 to promote clean family fun and education through fishing. Visit bassfederation.com or highschoolfishing.org
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