Roarke's Journey - Fundraising for World Youth Fly Fishing Championship

My name is Roarke Goosen, I am 17 years old and I have this amazing opportunity to fish for South Africa in the upcoming World Youth Fly Fishing Championships.

This has been my goal and dream since I started competitive fly fishing at the age of 13.

I am in the process of raising funds from family, friends and other people who would like to support my fly fishing journey. To contribute from my side, I have been working to generate some funding, but unfortunately it will not be enough in the bigger picture. I need to raise in the region of R100 000, and I would be very grateful for any contribution that can be given.

My costs are (estimated amounts)

• Flights: R22 000
• Visa: R2 700
• Car rental: R6 350 (2 cars for 2 weeks)
• Fuel: R1 400 (1500km Assumption)
• Pre-competition food: R7 000 (R650 a day)
• Accommodation during pre-competition training: R6 800
• Pre competition Fishing guide: R3 500
• Fishing Licence: R2 700    
• World championship entry (include food and accommodation): R26 600
• SASSACC clothing: R9 500
• Fishing clothing + gear for event: R7 000
• Terminal tackle: R5 800

Total = R101 350

These amounts were given to me by the team manager based on the team budget. At this stage it feels like a mountain to climb but I know that every little step forward is a step in the right direction. Thanks for taking the time to read my message, I really appreciate all the support.

Fishing has been a huge part of my life ever since I was born. I started fishing with my father and grandfather before I could even walk. Sadly, my father unfortunately passed away when I was 6 years old, which was devastating for me and fishing became my way of feeling close to him.

Then one weekend when I was 12, I was busy setting up my fishing gear when I noticed an old dusty rod on the rod rack. It looked and felt very different from all my other rods. After questioning what it was, my grandfather told me it was a fly-fishing rod which originally belonged to my father. I was instantly intrigued, “What is Fly Fishing?”. It felt like a mystery that my father never got the opportunity to teach me more about, so I was very eager to learn more.

For my birthday that year I received a new fly box, one fly and a fly-tying kit. It didn’t take long before I was at the water, seeing if I could catch my first fish on fly.  I returned empty handed but even more eager to learn. So, I started tying flies to fill my fly box and began watching lots of videos and reading books.  

A few weekends later I finally hooked my very first fish on fly. My heart almost jumped out my chest as I felt my line zipping out between my fingers. After a 10 minute fight and releasing the small catfish, I ran home shouting with a sense of achievement!

After that my grandfather reached out to a close family friend, Chris Tough, who was into fly fishing and asked him if he would teach me. Chris soon became my coach and mentor as he introduced me to competitive fly fishing under the banner of Gauteng North Fly Fishing.

Since joining competitive fly fishing, I have achieved some great results.

• Senior Men’s B Nationals – placed 30th out of 50 anglers
• 2022 GNFFA Youth Ranking List – 2nd Overall
• 2022 Youth Nationals – 7th Overall
• 2023 GNFFA Youth Ranking List – 1st Overall
• 2023 Selected to attend a Development Tour to Spain
• 2023 Youth Nationals – 12th Overall
• 2024 Currently leading GNFFA Youth Ranking List
• 2024 Selected to represent the Protea Youth Team in the Czech Republic.