Earlier this year at the NGJWC in Pittsburgh PA, The Bass Federation announced a new youth grant program designed to spur the growth of junior bass clubs across the country.
Each state had an opportunity to submit an application for the $1500 award that is designed to help the winners increase the awareness of the TBF Junior Angler Program in their state.
There are two of these grants available, and for 2010, the winning states are Ohio and Virginia.
“Each of these respective states laid out a very good plan of how they intend to use the funds and really try to motivate not only the young anglers in their state, but the adults who have not gotten involved with the youth program yet,” cited TBF National Youth Director Mark Gintert.
“I’m really looking forward to working with the youth directors and presidents in both Ohio and Virginia to implement their plans and really get the word out about what we have to offer,” added Gintert.
“This is an attempt to put funding directly into the hands of those who need it the most and see what kind of progress they can make within their states,” added TBF Vice President Mike Dunkerley. “This is the first time that we have ever done a grant of this nature with the specific goal of growing our numbers. If these states are successful this may be a good model for us to build on in the future.”
The funds provided by this grant are intended for the purpose of printing literature and providing travel assistance for TBF personnel within that state while they are promoting the youth program at specific events. There is also a performance feature within the grant that rewards the state for adding new youth members through these efforts.
Congratulations to both Ohio and Virginia and stay tuned throughout the year as we track their results.
