FLW announced today that second-year professional angler Cody Kelley of Arkansas will represent the FLW Foundation on the 2016 FLW Tour. As part of the agreement, Kelley will organize and host a youth fishing derby at each Tour event held next year.
The 24-year-old Kelley received industry distinction and acclaim by naming the non-profit Special Olympics Arkansas (SOAR) his primary sponsor in his rookie season. In addition to his SOAR partnership, Kelley now becomes the first angler selected to represent the FLW Foundation.
“I look forward to representing the FLW Foundation and bringing awareness to the non-profit organizations that I serve in the 2016 season,” said Kelley. “I have been lucky enough to pursue my dream of becoming a professional angler while also remaining true to my passion of helping other people. The FLW Foundation’s commitment to connect youth to the outdoors lifestyle is a cause that I wholeheartedly support.”
Formed in 2010, the FLW Foundation was created to help connect youth to their natural resources and promote education, conservation and an active lifestyle. The FLW Foundation functions nationwide with thousands of volunteers at hundreds of fishing tournaments and outdoor expos to achieve measureable on-the-ground success in youth angler recruitment and retention.
“We followed Cody’s work with the Special Olympics Arkansas closely while he was on Tour in 2015,” said Dave Washburn, FLW VP of Operations. “Cody’s values align well with the mission of the FLW Foundation and we are confident that he is going to do a great job increasing awareness of the Foundation and helping us to achieve our goal of connecting youth to their natural resources in meaningful ways.”
