The Redvers Wildlife Archery Club recently saw a lot of success on the weekend of April 1st and 2nd in Prince Albert. The club of approximately 100 people sent 14 archers to the Junior Olympic Program (JOP) Championship - hosted on April 1st - and 17 archers to the Saskatchewan Archery Association Indoor Championship - hosted on April 2nd.
“For us, a small community… with a club of 100, we took 14 archers to the JOP and 17 to the Sask Archery Association competitions, and that’s pretty big,” coach Tricia Pickard explained. “I was talking to someone from Swift Current, they’re a city, and they only had three competing. Then nine of ours made it into the final; it’s phenomenal.”
“We practice a lot,” Pickard added of those looking to compete. “They practice on regular days, then there’s Sunday practices, and they put in a lot of extra work; and that’s why we’re able to get into the top four, they’re prepared. We go over different skills and the way we practice lets those skills show through their nerves or equipment failures.”
Getting into the top four is a great accomplishment as the competition is tough with archers from across Saskatchewan shooting.
Pickard explained the JOP program is an incentive program directed at those 21-years and under. Those competing earn badges, so they compete against others that are attempting to earn the same level of badge.
Archers in the JOP shoot 10 rounds of three arrows. The top four then make the finals and shoot another 30 arrows.
“The dedication, commitment and hard work each of these archers showed was phenomenal,” Pickard stated. “We worked very hard the last month to prepare and it paid off!”
“Almost everyone shot a personal best in competition… We had 9 of the 14 make it into the final round… To make it into the final round it is the top four archers in the category they are shooting in. From there we brought home two first places, one second place, and five third places.”
First place finishers: Daxson Pickard and Miranda Murray
Second place finisher: Ethan Ochitwa
Third place finishers: Kenneth Murray, Thomas LeNouail, Merrilee Murray, Brodi Fidelak, and Miles Nord
“Behind the scenes we need to mention our coaches not only in their regular groups, but to Brian LeNouail and Ken Martel for numerous hours of extra practice, time spent figuring out equipment, and just the support given to these archers,” Pickard added.
On the Sunday, April 2, a total of 17 archers competed in the Saskatchewan Archery Association Indoor Championships: 12 youth and five adults. This competition, instead of organized by badges as the JOP, it is set up through gender, age, and equipment.
This competition sees archers shoot two rounds back to back of 30 arrows each. Their score is then added up.
“We had some personal bests, challenges, and above all fun-filled moments,” Pickard said. “The competition is fierce but we managed to bring home three gold and three bronze medals.”
Earning gold were Ken Martel, Merry Murray, and Daxson Pickard; while bronze was earned by David Murray, Hunter Rolufs, and Miranda Murray.
“As one of the coaches I am so proud of these archers,” Pickard exclaimed. “Our club is wonderful to see shoot on the line because they represent our club with such dignity and skill, it amazes me every time.”
The Redvers Wildlife Archery Club has been operating for many years, with 60 members being typical; but, over the past four years numbers have bolstered and it’s averaging 100 members each year. Their season is winding down now, but typically they operate from November to March or April.
Archers choose a time to shoot between Monday and Thursday, and stick to that throughout the season. Each session has two coaches who assist.
“This year we decided to do a competitive group,” Pickard explained. “There’s some that just want to target shoot to practice for hunting or do some 3D shooting, but some of the kids were interested in competing, so we wanted to provide them that more competitive atmosphere.”
“I think that’s part of the reason our club has been doing so well, we don’t just target shoot or do 3D competitions, we kind of do it all depending what the person wants to get out of it,” Pickard said.
“It’s a sport for all ages, for families and friends, people can all shoot together.”
They not only draw archers from Redvers, but from Carnduff to Arcola and everywhere between.
