FLW announced today that it's expanding its presence on the world stage with the introduction of a sanctioning program allowing international partners to license the FLW brand and conduct tournaments abroad.
Each partner country will run a series of FLW tournaments that advance anglers, who are citizens of the host country, to a new international division at the Rayovac FLW Series Championship beginning in 2016. The highest finisher among countries represented in the international division will then advance to the Forrest Wood Cup.
“We’ve had a significant international following for years thanks to our worldwide television distribution and the appeal of FLW Fantasy Fishing,” said Trisha Blake, FLW President of Marketing. “Now with dedicated FLW bass tournaments in partner countries, we’ve realized our goal of being a truly worldwide organization in terms of both our fan base and competitors. FLW stands alone in providing the very best bass anglers from around the world with an outlet for their competitive ambitions by establishing a clear qualifying path to the Forrest Wood Cup and the sport’s biggest payday.”
Canada has already signed on as FLW’s first partner under the new program and is set to host an FLW tournament in 2015, with at least three events slated in Canada for 2016.
“This is a game-changer for Canadian bass anglers,” said Cory Banford, co-owner of the Shootout Series and FLW’s exclusive partner in Canada. “We’ve been very successful with our Shootout Series tournaments over the years, but the opportunity to fish in our home country and qualify for the Rayovac FLW Series Championship and ultimately the Forrest Wood Cup is a life-changing opportunity for Canadian bass anglers.”
Two pros and two co-anglers will represent Canada in the international division at the 2016 Rayovac FLW Series Championship.
