Sylvie Richards, National SAVOF angler gold medalist, won a gold medal at the recent 10th SAVOF SAFBAF Festival at Bloemhof, North West.
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She attended the competition as a national angler in the Young Ladies White team.
Sylvie was selected to be part of the SAFBAF team and the 2021 Junior SAFBAF u-19 Young Ladies team for the SAFBAF Ladies and Junior Inland Tour based on her December 2019 national trials performance where she netted a 3.676kg Grass Carp.
“Because the Grass Carp was caught during controlled SAVOF Championship it will be recorded as a national record,” said Sylvie.
Sylvie is growing from strength to strength as an angler.
She said she was introduced to Freshwater Bank Angling at the age of five after being diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, poor motoring skills and learning difficulties.
“What started for me as therapy and a hobby quickly became very competitive after I made my mark by setting a few records during club competitions,” said Sylvie.
“I have made the National SAVOF SAFBAF team three years in a row from 2018. I competed under the colours of Central North West (SNW) at provincial level.
“I have netted a national record of 6.45kg grass carp during the 9th SAVOF SAFBAF Festival in April 2021. I improved my personal best in the u-19 Young Ladies category by netting a 6.67kg Grass Carp during a club competition in January 2020. Lastly, I netted a 3.676kg Grass Carp during the National Trials in December 2019,” said Sylvie.
“As a sought-after angler, I was approached by North Cape Province to fish in their ladies team for the Ladies SAs Championship in March 2021. The challenge was accepted and I achieved the best overall performance in the team,” she said.
“As my first achievement for 2022, I was part of the SAVOF SAFBAF U-19 Young Ladies White team who took a gold medal at the 10th SAVOF SAFBAF Festival in March 2022.
She said her dream is to become a National South African Protea Angler who would support and promote the sport.
“I am confident that with the correct support and structure, I will reach my dream of becoming a Protea angler. Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel and watch me grow as an angler,” said Sylvie.
