NJ Bass Federation Youth Director

                                                 A Message from the Youth Director

               The New Jersey Bass Federation Youth Program was initiated about ten years ago, has grown over the years and continues to grow today. The success of the Youth Program has been due in large part to the efforts of a few Federation adult chapters that volunteered to sponsor youth chapters, as well as the efforts of the individual Federation members who volunteer their time during the years at youth tournaments, Reel Kids casting competitions and instructional events, and at environmental and charitable events. The NJBF currently has three youth chapters, Millennium, Next Generation and Riggin-N-Jiggin.
              The NJBF Youth Program receives a tremendous amount of support today from The Bass Federation, Inc. TBF offered a Premium Youth Membership package in addition to a “standard” package in 2008. This package gave every youth chapter member the opportunity to become more involved in the TBF and FLW. By choosing to become a “Premium” youth member, the chapter member received such benefits as a TBF and FLW membership, coverage under the TBF insurance policy, a yearly subscription to the FLW magazine, and discounts from national sponsors. This is a great package and well worth the $25.00 membership fee.
              In addition, the NJBF applied for and received a State Merchandise Package from TBF this year. The package contained a huge assortment of merchandise, which was given out to the competitors at the Junior State Championship. I want to personally thank the TBF for putting together the State Merchandise Package. It was greatly appreciated and I know that the young anglers that attended this event were overwhelmed by the amount of merchandise they received just for participating in the State Championship event.
             Also new in 2008, TBF initiated a school club program called the “TBF Student Angler Federation.” The program is designed to get young adults interested in the great outdoors and fishing so the program targets students from fifth grade and up. This program is designed to show students the true importance of a good education and how the basic elements of their education--math, science and language arts--are necessary in everything they do in life. Included is how these school courses are used by anglers out on the water every day. Another portion of the program explains the career opportunities created through the sport of bass fishing that are available to them once they graduate.
             TBF Student Angler Federation program is free to any school provided the school goes through the application process and meets necessary requirements. Once an application is submitted to TBF, the school will receive: (1) an introduction DVD which can be shown in a classroom or a general assembly to the student body. The DVD will show students how interesting the outdoors can be, as well as the benefits of applying their education; (2) a sample copy of the classroom club workbook; and (3) a flyer on how to start a TBF Student Anglers Federation club in their school, as well as the benefits that go along with forming a school TBF club.
              I have had the opportunity to view the DVD and the classroom club workbook. TBF has put together an outstanding school club program for young adults. I strongly encourage anyone interested in starting a school club to contact me or contact the TBF National Youth Director, Mark Gintert, at 330-993-0014 or by e-mail at mark@bassfederation.com and start the application process. I also want to mention that once six TBF Student Anglers Federation school clubs have been started in New Jersey, two competitor spots will be made available to the school clubs at the NJBF Junior State Championship, one in the 11-14 age group and one in the 15-18 age group. This in turn will give a Student Angler Federation member in each age group the same opportunity as a NJBF youth member to possibly advance to the National Guard Junior World Championship.
             For the students that graduate from high school and head to college, TBF has established the Association of Collegiate Anglers. It is a separate federation, just like the individual state federations. If you haven't heard already, collegiate fishing is one of the fastest growing angler markets in the country. So far, there are over forty college fishing clubs throughout the country with over 450 members and the numbers continue to grow. TBF has put together a Collegiate Tournament Trail for ACA members that will qualify anglers for the Boat U.S. Collegiate National Championship.
             The NJBF certainly took a step in the right direction when it decided to join TBF as it continues to prove that they are committed to the advancement of the sport of fishing and environmental awareness through today's youth as is the NJBF.
              I am already starting to schedule TBF Reel Kids casting events for 2009. Casting events are a great way of getting children interested in fishing. Many of the members in the NJBF Youth Program today joined as a result of participating in a casting event. Once again, I am asking for volunteers to help at these events. Volunteers play a big part in making the NJBF youth events successful. If anyone is interested in getting involved, please contact me.
              If you ask someone why they like to go fishing they would probably tell you that it was because it was “fun” to do. Makes sense, right? Why else would someone want to go fishing? We all know that children are always eager to learn about something that is “fun” to do so why not teach them about fishing. Now that we all agree that fishing is “fun”, I am asking every NJBF chapter to seriously consider organizing their own Reel Kids casting event this year.
The targets, rods and reels, and most everything else you will need in order to run a successful event can be provided to you. The only requirement the Federation has is that you submit a brief summary of your event at the conclusion of your event. Remember, the future of fishing is in the hands of today's youth. YOU have the ability and the tools necessary to get the attention of today's youth and show them how much “fun” it is to go fishing. I look forward to hearing from you and assisting you with organizing a Reel Kids casting event.
              I want to thank all the people that volunteered at youth events, as well as the many sponsors who so generously supported the NJBF Youth Program, this past year. I also want to thank the Federations members that donated plastic baits and tackle.
Finally, I consider it a privilege and a great honor to serve as the NJBF Youth Director and to be able to share my passion and love of the sport of bass fishing with today's youth. Nothing can compare to the smile on a child's face when they're reeling in a fish. I look forward to serving the NJBF and working with the youth in 2009. I wish you all good health in the coming year and great fishing next season.