USAngling is proud to announce the Inaugural Junior Tri Nations Cup 2024 in Zimbabwe from 10th to 12th December at Mazvikadei Dam. USA Bass Youth Team will be flying out of Chicago O’Hare Friday 6 December. The Twelve (12) member team consists of eleven (11) boys and one (1) girl, two (2) coaches and eight (8) chaperones have been preparing for the tournament since the spring.

This international tournament will consist of South Africa, Zimbabwe, and the United States of America. USAngling would like to thank Freshwater Fishing Director Mike McNett (USAngling), Karl Eckhard (ZNBF) and Craig Fraser (SABAA) for planning the Tri Nations Cup.

The event will be held over four days fishing for largemouth bass with one practice day before the competition consisting of both match-play and teams. The three-day competition each team will get to fish against one another, in a match-play format and fish as teammates one day. The Zimbabwe Federation has a final day planned to visit a Rhino and Elephant Park called Imire. www.imire.co.zw

The Tri Nations Cup will be held in South Africa in 2026 and USA in 2027. The goal is to introduce the inaugural Youth Bass World Championship in the USA 2027. To accomplish this goal the CIPs requirements for a World Championship has to be met with a minimum of six (6) teams. There is already interest from several countries that are expanding their bass programs to include youth.

Through the Tri Nations Cup, we hope to assist the athletes in building their experience by competing internationally, aiding in opportunities for global social media exposure, sponsorships and college scholarships. USAngling is grateful to all sponsors for supporting the team and individual athletes as each member was responsible for paying for their trip costs.

“USAngling is thrilled to support this global youth angling initiative. These young athletes and their families are making a difference by sharing their passion and fostering goodwill with participating nations,” says USAngling President Tony Forte. “Our Freshwater Fishing Director Mike McNett and our USA Bass Youth Team leadership group have assembled a great team for this historic occasion. Looking forward to seeing some giant African largemouth bass from the Zimbabwe venue.