Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) announced an exclusive licensing agreement with Jimmy Ashlock, of Treviso, Italy, to begin sanctioning FLW bass-fishing tournaments in Italy. The agreement was signed by FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel and Ashlock, CEO and President of FLW Italy.
“We are really excited to become FLW partners and believe that we have a tremendous opportunity to grow the sport of bass fishing in Italy,” said Ashlock. “The FLW international sanctioning program is the best program for anglers worldwide, and our goal is to work collaboratively to grow the global FLW brand and help to advance bass fishing as a worldwide sport.”
Italy will run a series of FLW tournaments that advance anglers, who are citizens of the host country, to the International Division at the Costa FLW Series Championship beginning in 2018. Two anglers will compete as pros, with FLW providing Ranger boats, and two will compete as co-anglers.
The top pro award at the Costa FLW Series Championship is $95,000, including a Ranger Z518C boat with a 200-horsepower Evinrude outboard if the pro is Ranger Cup qualified, and the top co-angler award is a Ranger Z175 boat with a 90-horsepower Evinrude outboard. The highest finishing pro from the International Division at the Costa FLW Series Championship will advance to the following year’s Forrest Wood Cup for the chance to compete on the sport’s biggest stage. FLW will also provide a Ranger boat for use in the Forrest Wood Cup.
“We are excited to add Italy to the growing list of countries that are now offering FLW tournaments,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW president of operations. “The international expansion of FLW has flourished over the last three years, and we are proud to announce our latest addition on the eve of the 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship, which will showcase international anglers from all over the world. We look forward to the talented Italian anglers joining the competition in 2018.”
