Match Academy

Founded in 2016, the concept of Match Academy was inspired by our sister company, Korda Developments, who ran a youth event called Carp Academy for junior carp anglers. To enter, students between the ages of 13 and 18 submit a completed application form, which requires them to hit key criteria, and our panel of Match Academy judges select the deserving students who send in appropriate match results and required information about their match fishing experience. Applications for the annual event are normally released in January, and are advertised across Tackle Gurus social media with downloadable forms on this Tackle Guru website too.

The concept of Match Academy for the early part of its existence was to have a morning coaching event that was followed by an afternoon fishing match, where a winner would be selected to receive a 1-year £2000 sponsorship dead from Tackle Guru and a £1000 bait deal from Mainline Match, plus all the support of the Guru media channels and sponsored anglers team. There were loads of prizes handed out, plus goody buckets full of all the terminal tackle needed for the day and beyond courtesy of Tackle Guru. Students were designated an expert Guru coach for the morning training, helping them setup, prepare and practice for the afternoon’s competition.

More recently, we’ve added the ‘Grand Final’ feel to Match Academy, increasing the entry number limit to 100 anglers! A single match now takes place on a given date in August, with an amazing list of prizes totalling over £15,000 given away on the day to everyone taking part, including preparation packs and match Academy branded clothing for everyone involved, and an amazing bait pack provided by Mainline Match! When students draw their peg for the match, they will be allocated a Tackle Guru expert coach, who will help and advise them throughout the three-hour setup period, ensuring they have as much info and help as possible for the big match ahead. The students then head into battle in the 100-peg event.

The event always has incredible coverage on the Tackle Guru social media pages, and the main aim is to give young, keen match anglers a wealth of knowledge from our experienced expert Guru anglers, with students enjoying an amazing day on the bank with the chance of winning some fantastic prizes that will help them for years to come!

While there are some amazing trophies and medals for the overall top ten finishers in the final, plus section prizes throughout the event, the overall winner receives a £1000 RRP voucher to spend on Tackle Guru equipment, a £500 Mainline Match Voucher, plus a Guru Rive Team Seatbox, with incredible follow-up prizes for the remainder of the frame places and section winners!