Junior anglers set for region 5 showdown

The Namibia Freshwater Bank Angling Association (NFBAA) has officially announced the names of the anglers who will represent the country at the upcoming Region 5 Junior Tournament, set to take place at Hardap Dam from 29 June to 5 July 2025.The event, which sees Namibia host their South African counterparts, is a key fixture on the junior angling calendar and offers vital international experience to the nation’s promising young anglers.National junior team namedThe seven-member junior team selected for the tournament includes Joachem Louw, M C Steynberg, Markus le Roux, J P Pelcher, C J Vermeulen, Bre-Ann Jenkins, and Lee-Ancke Loubser. Gerhard Vermeulen will serve as team captain, while Andries Blaauw has been appointed as team manager.According to Vermeulen, international tournaments such as these play a pivotal role in the development of young anglers.“These events are not only crucial for honing technical angling skills, but they also build character, teamwork, and resilience. Representing their country on home ground gives our juniors confidence and valuable exposure to high-level competition,” he said.Development team for under-13 anglersNFBAA has also confirmed the under-13 development team for 2025. The squad comprises Sybrand Venter, Leon Diedericks Jnr, S-Wee Loubser, Jandre Gelderblom, and Ariana Gubiani. Leon Diedericks will captain the team, while Henk Louw assumes the role of manager.Diedericks highlighted the importance of introducing young anglers to international competition early in their development.“This is of utmost importance due to the lack of international exposure our younger anglers typically receive. Competing at this level strengthens the foundation of the sport by ensuring development begins at grassroots level,” he said.He added that preparation is key to performance in angling.“From preparing traces and filling reels to ensuring bait quality, everything must be spot on. Casting accuracy is especially critical during winter, when distance and precision can determine success.”Narrow loss in 2024 drives focusNamibia narrowly lost to South Africa in the 2024 edition of the tournament, with casting accuracy proving to be the decisive factor. Vermeulen acknowledged the challenge but expressed confidence in the team’s improved preparation.“South African juniors benefit from regular competitive exposure, which gives them a significant edge. We have since dedicated considerable time to improving casting accuracy, which will allow us to compete more strongly this year and narrow the gap,” he said.With preparations finalised and training in full swing, the NFBAA remains optimistic about the team’s chances. The tournament at Hardap Dam is expected to draw attention from the regional angling community and reaffirm Namibia’s commitment to developing the next generation of elite anglers.

Junior anglers set for region 5 showdown

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-08-04

Please login to leave a comment

Junior anglers set for region 5 showdown

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-08-04

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content