Record catches and champions honoured at NFBAA 2025 awards

Angling
  • 15 Hours Ago
Namibia Freshwater Bank Angling Association (NFBAA) concluded a stellar 2025 with its annual prize-giving ceremony last weekend, celebrating anglers across all divisions for their skill, dedication and record-breaking catches throughout the year.

Individual achievements

Among the highlights, Anina Barnard took the heaviest carp in the women's division with a 6.00 kg catch, while Gerhard van Niekerk claimed the heaviest barbel in the senior men’s division at 12.45 kg. Lee-Ancka Loubser led the junior carp category at 4.95 kg, with JP Pelcher landing the heaviest barbel in the junior division at 8.90 kg. The boys' U13 anglers also impressed, with Wian Liebenberg catching a 5.50 kg carp and Leon Diedericks Jnr landing an 8.55 kg barbel.

The competition for the heaviest overall bag was fierce, with Paul Bekker topping the masters division at 109.15 kg and Chris Orffer leading the senior men’s division at 106.82 kg. Gerhard van Niekerk and Chris Orffer earned the Best Peg Mates award with 42 fish points.



Division winners

Boys: S-Wee Loubser, Sybrand Venter, Leon Diedericks Jnr

Junior: CJ Vermeulen, Lee-Ancka Loubser, MC Steynberg

Masters: Andries Blaauw, Andre Barlow, Panna Van Staden

Ladies: Marinda Moolman, Nicky Struwig, Schane Junius

Senior men: Leon Diedericks, Gerhard van Niekerk, Iwan Kotze

The overall champions of 2025 were: Leon Diedericks (10 zone points), Andries Blaauw (11 zone points) and Gerhard van Niekerk (12 zone points), highlighting their consistent performance and dominance across competitions.

Reflecting on his successful year, overall champion Leon Diedericks described 2025 as an exceptional season for freshwater angling. He credited the abundant rainfall and improved water levels at Hardap Dam for creating ideal fishing conditions. “We were truly blessed this year,” he said. “Once the dam settled, fishing deeper distances gave me an edge and it paid off in the results.” Diedericks added that sharing the sport with his family, especially his sons, makes his achievements even more meaningful. Looking ahead to the upcoming Region 5 Tournament, he said representing Namibia remains a great honour and acknowledged the challenge of defending their title against a strong South African team.

Ladies division champion Marinda Moolman said she was pleasantly surprised to learn she was leading the standings going into the final nationals. “You experience and learn so much by being at the dam, but your attitude has to be right,” she said. Moolman, who will also serve as team manager for the Namibian ladies at the upcoming Region 5 championship, expressed confidence in her squad. “We have a fantastic group of women with pride, unity and one goal in mind to bring home gold,” she said, adding that their hard work and sacrifice will bear fruit.



Club competitions

Club divisions also saw strong competition. Hook-It Angling Club dominated both A and B divisions, with Benguella, Eagles and X-Treme Angling Clubs securing prominent positions.

A division: Hook-It (137 points), Benguella (204), Eagles (224)

B division: Hook-It (385), Benguella (455), X-Treme (592)

Region 5 Tournament and national teamsIn addition to celebrating individual and club achievements, the NFBAA used the prize-giving ceremony to announce the teams for the 2025 Region 5 Tournament, set to take place at Hardap Dam from 8 to 14 November. The Namibian national senior men’s team, defending champions, will face a formidable challenge to retain their title against South Africa.

The Namibian national senior men’s team comprises Leon Diedericks, Henk Louw, Rhyan Smith, Gerhard Vermeulen, Gawie Van Wyk and TJ Kruger, with Carl Maass as manager, Brand Venter as captain and Marius Maree as the non-angling reserve. The Namibian national ladies team includes Sarita Taljaard, Nola Maritz, Lani Meyer, Ina Muir, Carol Stinton and Nicolette van der Westhuizen, led by captain Beandri van Wyk and manager Meyer Moolman, with Lee-Ancka Loubser as reserve angler.

Looking ahead, the top 12 men and five ladies from this year’s competitions will qualify for the Champ of Champs at Hardap Dam on 24 January next year. Among the men, Leon Diedericks, Andries Blaauw and Gerhard van Niekerk are set to compete for the ultimate title, while Marinda Moolman, Nicolene Struwig and Schane Junius lead the Ladies Elite contenders.

With a record 9 226 fish caught this year, weighing an astounding 19 461 tonnes, the NFBAA confirms that Namibian freshwater angling is thriving, with healthy dams and a growing competitive spirit. NFBAA’s prize-giving not only recognised the year’s top performers but also highlighted the growth of competitive freshwater angling in Namibia. With healthy dams, record catches across divisions and national teams ready for the Region 5 Tournament, the stage is set for another exciting season in 2026.