Mark Downes and Mark Addy, Joint Drennan Team England Managers, have announced their England squad to compete in this year’s 19th Coarse Angling European Championship in Novisad, Serbia on the Danube canal from 24th – 30th June.
Following last year’s European silver medal win in Spain, Mark Downes and Mark Addy have decided to give some ‘Young Blood’ a chance to establish themselves.
Stepping down this year for the European Championship are Steve Gardener and Steve Hemmingray. They are replaced by Barnsley’s Lee Kerry, who has already represented his country at Youth level and Bristol’s Callum Dicks, a regular in the successful Dorking squad, and a former Youth World Champion.
They will be competing with Will Raison, Former European and World Champion, Alan Scotthorne, 5 times World Champion, Sean Ashby, 2012 World Champion and Des Shipp, probably at this moment in time, one of the strongest anglers in the UK.
Mark Downes, Joint Drennan Team England Manager said, “The new additions to the team are extremely talented individuals. It does take time to mature into a fully fledged International, and I believe both of these lads will adapt to the task admirably. Both have already had International experience both at Youth and World Clubs level, and they will fit in nicely”.
Dick Clegg, OBE, International Events Manager for the Angling Trust stated, “I applaud the decision of the England management in introducing new blood to the European Championship team. Since the demise of both the Home Championships and the Six Nations it has become very difficult to change such a successful team”.
“This European event has become almost the only competition that can be used to give potential anglers the chance to enhance their standings and I wish them the best of luck in Serbia”.
