On Wednesday 2nd of August 2023, the Scottish Youth International Team competed in the international match alongside 3 other nations at Clywedog Reservoir in Wales. Following arrival and 2 days’ practice, the team were successful in winning a silver medal. The team put in a fantastic performance and the final result was extremely close.
1st Ireland 175 fish
2nd Scotland 169 fish
3rd England 152 fish
4th Wales 104 fish
The official match commenced with the team being led to their boats by a local piper to await the traditional gun start from fishery manager Gareth Dixon. Conditions on match day were the best they had been all week and suited most methods that had worked on the practice days, so the team were very confident. The team had instructions to change to a blue hat once they had caught 5 fish, then to an orange hat when they had caught 10 fish. This allowed fellow team mates to acknowledge that team tactics were working in the area.
As the match drew to a close the coaches, management and family members observed a sea of orange hats arrive back at the harbour for the official weigh-in, nerves and excitement took over. After the results were announced narrowly missing out on gold, the team were celebrating their massive achievement of securing a silver medal in Wales.
Little rest was to be had before qualifiers were held to build the 2024 team. Nearly all of the current team members as well as newcomers entered the qualifiers being held at Harelaw Fishery and Lake of Menteith Fishery. After very tough conditions at both events, the team of 16 members and two trainee positions were secured.
The top individual and national champion for 2023 over the two venues was Ruaridh Fowler with trophies also being awarded to best newcomer Dylan Mc Robert and the heaviest fish going to Stephen Fallon.
The 2024 team will head to Draycote Water in England for their match on 31st July 2024. Throughout the coming year this new team will participate in various training days and training weekends as well as organizing fundraising events to prepare them for their competition next year.
Securing sponsorship is extremely important to help the team reach their goals each year. Securing this additional finance contributes towards the costs of hotels for the international, training days, uniforms, equipment and transport to name a few. Without being able to procure this much needed funding, the cost to individuals and parents would be significantly higher than what we have been able to achieve in previous campaigns. All sponsorship received is greatly apricated and the Scottish Youth Team would like to send a sincere thank you to Turrall with Cortland for their support during the 2023 campaign in which the team secured a silver medal.
Scottish Youth Team 2023 Silver Medalists
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