news & events

Exciting Sponsorship News

The 2024-25 season has hit off with some very positive news. Thanks to our major sponsors of the competition, Shimano has agreed to continue their long association with the National Junior Tournament and are on board again providing quality fishing reels, stickers, stubby holders, catalogues and tournament bags for the coming tournament year - absolutely great news.

Also, with Shimano’s recent participation with the GFAA “Kids Fish 2” program and the success of the webinar in May where they did a presentation on tackle and tackle maintenance, Shimano’s executives  Domonic Thornley and Narada Taranto requested the company’s participation in a further webinar for the group. We are pleased to announce that Shimano is scheduled for December where they will be going through the new products in their catalogue which has just come onto the market. They will talk about the new gear and its best suited usages – should be another great event and not to be missed.

TackleWorld has also unanimously agree to continue their 12th year relationship with the Tournament. Speaking with their General Manager, Mr David Becker, they are very excited to be part of this great competition, David’s quote “Your commitment to fostering young anglers' passion for fishing aligns perfectly with our values at TackleWorld.”

Halco tackle is continuing to support the tournament and has done so for over 20 years, regular contact with Tim Carter - Sales and Management Manager has seen further additions to our supply of the great variety of lures, catalogues, key rings and stickers for handouts to our monthly award winners.

We have also been in recent contact with Steve Marland who operates and owns Australian Solid Fuel Testing. If Steve is not away working, he is fishing with his 3 children who are all part of the National Junior Tournament. Steve’s commitment to the competition has been invaluable and his contributions have assisted with many of the costs for postage and packaging of monthly awards, trophies and all the necessary items we take for granted. Like Shimano, Steve has also been an active supporter of the “Kids Fish 2” program donating valuable funds for its ongoing success.

A recent call with Steve provided some very exciting news, committing not only to supporting the National Junior Tournament and the “Kids Fish 2” program for 2024-25 year but also for the 2025-26 season – terrific news Steve with that level of commitment – sincerely, thank you.

I can also confirm this year at the Gala dinner on the 19th October, three of our major sponsors will be in attendance, Mr Colin Tannahill - Managing Director - Shimano, Steve Marland, Owner/Manager - Australian Solid Fuel Testing and Shane Hodgens - TackleWorld Port Lincoln. All are going to be available and will participate in the presentation of the National Junior Tournament Annual Trophy awards.

We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support of this great competition, without whom the level of participation and great awards we hand out would not be possible.

Thank you.

Kevin Oates
GFAA National Junior Tournament Coordinator