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Steve Hemingray replaces Stu Conroy in World Champs line-up

Steve Hemingray is to be given his chance to represent England at World Championship level.

The former European Champ said: "I am absolutely delighted to be given the chance – it is the culmination of everything I have worked for. I have faced some difficult decisions over the last few years and sacrificed a lot, including a place in the England Feeder team, to give myself the best possible chance of getting in the World Championship squad. All that hard work has paid off, and I am over the moon!”

Steve will join defending World Champion Sean Ashby, former World Champion Will Raison, five-times World Champion Alan Scotthorne and England stalwarts Steve Gardener and Des Shipp, in making up the 2013 Drennan Team England World Championship squad.

Omitted from this year's team, is Drennan Northwest ace Stu Conroy, who has fished a dozen World Championships with Drennan Team England. He commented: “I am obviously very disappointed not to have made the team this year, but at the same time I fully respect the management’s decision. At the end of the day, they have got to pick a team who they feel are best suited to the venue, and when you look at the list of names they are fielding it is awesome!

"To be honest, targeting tiny fish isn’t the strongest part of my game, and I was unlucky in last year's World Championship in the Czech Republic as I drew a section that we hadn’t practised. That said, I will be doing everything in my power to get back into the team next year, and I wish all the lads every success in this year's event.”  

England co-manager Mark Addy commented: "Stu has done fantastically well for the team but we feel this venue, being a small-fish one, will suit Steve better, and he thoroughly deserves his chance."

The team will leave for Poland two weeks before the event to familiarise themselves with the venue, in readiness for the World Championship on September 14th and 15th. 

Co-manager, Mark Downes added: "This is a strong team that will be tackling a very difficult venue. The small, 35m wide canal just on the outskirts of Warsaw does not have a great head of fish at present, and unless there is some form of stocking I can see it developing into a small-fish, low-weight event."

Dick Clegg OBE, international events manager of the Angling Trust, stated: "I would personally like to thank Stuart Conroy for all his hard work and tactical awareness that he has brought to the team during the past 10 years. The management team of Mark Addy and Mark Downes have gone for what they consider is a 'horses for courses' squad this time around, but I know that Stuart will be back in contention next year. Steve Hemingray will make a great addition to this extremely talented team and I expect them to put up a medal-winning performance in Poland.

“The venue is the organiser's second choice after the first was turned down by the FIPSed technical commission, but early reports are that it may still be a low-weight event.”