First-ever Women’s Excellence Program

Chula Vista, CA – On the eve of the fifth International Olympic Committee World Conference on Women and Sport, USA Archery has released an update on its first-ever Women’s Excellence Program (WXP). Fittingly, the theme of the Conference was “Together Stronger: The Future of Sport,” and the women participating in the WXP are focused on exactly that. 

The first of three Women’s Excellence Program camps was held recently at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center. The sixteen women who comprise the “Shadow Team” – the top sixteen women following the first U.S. Olympic Team Trials event – were invited to participate.

Twelve archers attended the first camp, which was staffed by six coaches and a sport psychologist. Two personal coaches also attended to support their students. The program, which was developed to create a sense of unity for the U.S. women, was also designed to provide the means for the top women’s recurve athletes to work together to become an internationally dominant team.

“I learned that the U.S. Olympic Committee, as well as USA Archery, are one hundred percent behind the women,” commented Lori Cieslinski, a Shadow Team member who participated in the camp. “The experience was different from anything I have ever been through…it was nice to see how similar our goals are. That we all believe that we can do this, and that we will be supported to that end.”

The first camp – part of a three-camp series – focused on team building, communication and increasing competition experiences in a variety of situations. KiSik Lee, the U.S. National Head Coach, and International Team Staff were available to provide technical direction and help for the athletes involved.

“The first camp went extremely well, and it was incredible to see how the women came together,” noted Assistant Head Coach Guy Krueger. “I was especially impressed by the grit, determination and support they displayed during the team competition on the last day. The weather was just miserable, wet and rainy, and every team completed the task and supported each other in the process. It was a very inspirational day.”

Jennifer Nichols, a two time Olympian seeking her third Olympic team placement, echoed Cieslinski’s thoughts: “This camp was the best training program I have ever been a part of at the Olympic Training Center,” Nichols stated. “The USA women have needed focus, motivation and cohesion in the sense of teamwork for a long time…the culture of the U.S. women’s recurve is beginning to change positively and we are all ecstatic to be part of this transformation. We have all realized that together we are strong, and we can accomplish that which we never have before when we work as one.”

The second Women’s Excellence Program Camp is scheduled for March 17-21 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA.

For more information on this and other stories please visit

http://usarchery.org/

For more information on this and other stories please visit

http://usarchery.org/

Harrisonburg, VA – James Madison University archery coach Bob Ryder, one of the country’s most distinguished collegiate archery coaches, has been presented today with the Thompson Medal of Honor at the National Indoor Championships taking place at James Madison University.  Denise Parker, USA Archery CEO, was present for the award presentation, as well as several JMU archery team alums and members of Ryder’s family.The prestigious Thompson Medal of Honor was established by USA Archery (then known as the National Archery Association) in 1939 and is reserved for those who have “rendered outstanding and meritorious service to archery without expectation of award.” The Thompson Medal of Honor is considered to be one of the most cherished honors conferred by USA Archery.Ryder served on the former NAA Board of Governors from 1980-1986, and was vice president of the former NAA from 1981-1986. He was one of the parties responsible for the creation of U.S. Olympic Team Selection Procedures, as well as the creation of the U.S. Archery Team (USAT). Ryder was also instrumental in the development of the NAA Foundation, which manages the financial resources of USA Archery to ensure availability of funds for future archery development. A national judge, certified Level 3 coach, and multi-time tournament director, Ryder has also participated in high level speaking and promotional efforts, providing outreach to media outlets such as ABC, CBS and NBC Sports, ESPN and Sports Illustrated. Ryder has received the Coach of the Year and Margaret Klann Awards numerous times, and has served as the head coach of the JMU Archery Team since 1992, coaching many archers to National Championship and World Championship teams and medals. “In addition to the impressive history of his contributions, as well as is personal archery achievements, Bob is recognized by all who have been associated with him for his consummate dedication and tireless support of this organization,” noted Christine McCartney, who nominated Ryder for the award. “I met Bob in 1982 while serving (on) the NAA Board of Governors and have always regarded him not only as a thoughtful visionary and hard worker but a gentleman of high integrity and an exceptional caretaker of fair play both on and off the field.” Denise Parker, CEO of USA Archery explained that there is not a more deserving individual: “Bob is one of those few people you meet and have the pleasure to be around who truly cares about others long before he cares about himself. Archery has been so blessed to have him involved in our sport. If you have been in this sport long enough, you have been touched in some way by the work of Bob Ryder and I personally thank him for all the tireless effort on behalf of us all.” For more information on this and other stories please visit http://usarchery.org/

As Published in the US and International Archer and Archery Action Magazines March 2012

Well I we have a tournament or two just around the corner for you be it as a competitor, spectator or an armchair tourist doing your traveling on the net. To kick off we have the European Pro Archery series. This will be starting with the Doinker Welsh Masters 21^st to 22^nd of April to be held at Canada Lake, near Cardiff, this event will be pitting the best Professional archers the world has to offer against those up and coming archers looking to de-thrown the masters.

If you are in the spectator class, you can either be there in person to watch the action and take in the majesty of the Welsh countryside and enjoy everything Wales has to offer or sit back in a comfortable lounge chair at home as I have done and watch live event Coverage on www.pro-archery.com . I found that the camera work was excellent as you are able to see the finest detail in the shot right down to the impact of the shaft as the split screen gives you that extra dimension. As well as the split screen you have the live score board that you simply click on to see the archers shoot history.

Then a little later in the year you have the Cartel Classic at Mullenborn Germany this is the 2^nd Pro shoot for 2012 on the 16^th and 17^th of June at the Mullenborn sports club. This too is broadcast live and free on the net.

Since spending a day shooting there last November this has become one of our favourite places to shoot; the country side is magnificent with plenty of affordable accommodation in the adjacent villages, excellent shopping and local restaurants. The ranges at the Mullenborn Club are a dream to shoot with some very challenging shots  both up and down hill so don’t forget to bring your good hiking shoes. Lighting is something that can add another layer of difficulty to a shot, I found this to be the case on the third shot of the 80 yard walk up set as a medium grade uphill target behind the clubhouse. For this shot we were standing in the gloom of the forest with a shimmer of light playing across my lens at least that is my excuse for dropping that point on the 60 Yard.

The country is a little steep in places but not an extreme range, for those who have shot at the magnificent ranges of Mount Tiger in the New Zealand north island you will find these a bit easier but just as challenging and equally as beautiful . The club members we met made us feel like we had walked onto our own home ranges they were just so helpful and friendly but it is like that no matter where you go to shoot the world over isn’t it?

Mullenborn is well worth going to just for the local scenery and don’t forget to visit some of the Magnificent castles the district has to offer while you are there. So you will have plenty to do be it shooting or hitting the tourist trail for those in the support crew/non shooting partners.  To book a day or a week of shooting just visit their web site at www.susc-muellenborn.de or their Facebook page at  http://www.facebook.com/susc.muellenborn and book your shoot time.

Round Three of the Pro series is at Fort Van Lier Belgium on the 18^th and 19^th of August this will be a nail biter as this year’s line-up looks like being even stronger than last years. This is another one of those shoots I have on my to do list after watching last year’s Tournament with extreme shots from the bottom of pits shooting into the sun at over 40 degrees then to a target that is shot from the bright light through a dark stone tunnel to a brightly lit target at the other end. For this course the Range Master truly has designed a layout that has tested the best archers the world has to offer.

The Pro rankings as of the start of 2012 are as follows:

GENTS RANKINGS

LADIES RANKINGS

Not enough personal action for you?

Then why not go for a quick trip to Argentina and join us for the 2012 IFAA World Field Archery Championships (WFAC) at Miramar Argentina from the 28^th of October to the 3^rd of November, this is a competition everyone is eligible to enter you just have to enter and pay your fees no qualifying scores for IFAA Competitions. Now if you don’t know what to expect this is how it goes, try to get there a day or so earlier to settle in and say hi to old friends, register and do a little practice. Then day one is the opening ceremony followed by drinks and something to eat, knowing the Argentinians it will be a real treat with floor shows and lots to remember just don’t drink too much as tomorrow is the shooting.

Day 1 of the competition begins with 28 marked distance Field or Hunter targets out to 80 Yards maximum then the same for the second day only this time if you shot field on day 1 you will shoot hunter on day 2 or visa versa. Then day 3 will be 28 marked distance animal targets maximum 60 Yards this will be an easy day with an early finish.

Days 4 and 5 will be Hunter and Field Targets again every evening you should check your scores and your next day’s group if it has been made up, do this as you will be peer grouped this means you will be shooting with the archers closest to your score in your style of archery for the next day and each day after that.

Day 6 will be the Presentations and Banquet this is a lavish affair with all the trimmings of a magnificent 3 course meal accompanied by the best of local wines and entertainment that is Uniquely Argentinian.

The venue for the shoot is at Miramar this beautiful area of coastal dune lands and lightly timbered forests 498klm 5 hours drive south of Buenos Aires. Many members of the Argentinian Archery association will be working on the ranges starting from February through to the2012 WFAC.

Friends of ours Roberto Flores and his family among many others will be staying at Miramar for February devoting their annual work holidays to creating a world class set of field archery ranges just for you to shoot on.
After a day shooting by the sea at Miramar you will find all the city life just 40 Klm away at mar del plata the second largest city of the Buenos Aires Province and largest beachside resort in Argentina.

If you can make this trip into a tour of Argentina, there is just so much to see. After the World Indoor in 2009 we travel down through Patagonia to El Calafate nestled on the banks of Lake Argentino in the Los Glaciares National Park. Then back through Argentina to one of the great natural wonders of the world, the Iguaçu Falls. This was a trip we will remember always as we will also keep close the friends we have made in Argentina.

Now for a quick look further into the future!

The 2013 IFAA World Bowhunter Championships at Die Oog South Africa this will be a Bowhunter Championships not to be missed. This will not be a gentle course set in your suburban parklands this is the country of big game hunts and safari, the Die Oog is the African Bush with big game in it natural environment. I can assure you the competition will be run properly and you will be looked after very well by the members of the SANIFAA- South African Archery.

During the 2011 IFAA World Indoor in south Africa there was nothing that did not go to plan and we were treated to a wonderful tournament from start to finish. I can assure you the 2013 WBHC will be the same from the opening ceremony to the closing Banquet. You will be able to book hunting trips be it with gun, bow or camera for after the shoot, I will have more information on this and other news on my site www.archeryfix and in future articles as we get closer to the shoot. So keep the 7^th of June to the 15^th June 2013 clear for the trip of a lifetime.

Now a little closer to home!

As many would know my site Archeryfix has been a place to go for basic tuning and shooting tips, it was set up a few years ago to assist my students around the world to excel in this wonderful sport. Well it has just had a makeover, in fact much of it is totally changed it is now a free to use and to submit archery news, History,  Tournament dates and info website. There is a Tournament gallery section where you can post a photo of your latest shoot, a Bowhunters Gallery where you can post a photo of that big buck, Featured articles pages where you can submit a story about a hunt or competition along with photos or just some information that will help your fellow archers.

The news pages and scrolling headlines are for you and your associations to send in items of archery related news. This site has been setup so I can give a little back to the sport that has given so much to me and my family and friends. You will notice advertising banners on the site, these are so the site can eventually be self-supporting to this end those businesses that support Archeryfix will be able to also post information about their services and products from time to time.

So please take the time to visit www.archeryfix.com for your Archery Fix.

Last and far from least I would like to thank our sponsors who help me to assist others in this wonderful sport, Vortex Optics, Ontarget2 Software for archers, Shibuya sights, Tru Ball releases, Trophy Taker rests, Twister Bowstrings, The US and International Archer Archery and Action magazine for publishing my ramblings.

Peter Bourke

Archery Consultant for www.archeryfix.com

By Jack Farnham

Hi I’m Jack Farnham aged 10 years old and live in Bundaberg Queensland, Australia. My Dad told me that he would take me hunting in the September school holidays (2011) with my friend Blake and his dad who we shoot field archery with at our local archery club. I was so excited that I would be going on my first hunt and the holidays couldn’t come faster enough.

Day 1 arrived and we were off to Bonus Downs Property south of Mitchell, Queensland. It took about 9 hours to get there but I was so excited when we arrived. We put our stuff into the shearing shed quarters  and got dressed to go down to the nearby dam to have a look around before it got dark. We saw some pigs coming in but I guess they saw us and took off.

The next morning we were up early and away to find some goats in a nearby paddock. Dad and I went together in one direction and Blake went with his dad in another. It wasn’t long when we came across some goats.  We started the stalk with me in front and my dad behind with the video camera. I came within 16 meters of a young Billy and let go my first arrow, hitting it in the back quarter. It ran off and laid down under some trees where I stalked up to about 10 meters and let go my second arrow, a perfect heart shot, he wasn’t going nowhere. I was so excited and thrilled- this was my first kill. Dad was just as excited as me and congratulated me on my first goat kill.

I was shooting Barebow with my Mission Menace set at 30lbs and using ST Epic Jnr Carbon Arrows tipped with Wasp 4 Blade Broad heads.

Not long after that, Dad also shot a young Billy.

After taking some photos we headed on back to the homestead as it was very hot. Late in the afternoon we went back to the dam to try and get a pig but no luck getting one.

The next day as it was so hot we decided to go down to the dam to see what was around, but there was only nannies and kids coming in for a drink but no pigs which I was after. We all ended up with one goat each and it was the best couple of days hunting with my Dad. I can’t wait until this year’s hunt.

Shooting the worlds in Buenos Aries

Written for Magazine publications in 2009 by Peter Bourke

Since 2007 in Mannheim Germany when Steve Kendrick Vice President of the International Field Archery Association invited all archers to attend the next world Indoor Archery Championships in Buenos Aries Argentina, that name has reverberated through our thoughts, Buenos Aries.
We had seen documentaries and news items concerning Argentina many times through the years but absorbing little in the process now it was time to do some research as come hell or high water we intended shooting in the 2009 WIAC. First up travel times from home 20 hours going and 22 hours returning (actually the return trip blew out to 47 hours) add in a couple of days for jetlag and sight seeing 4 days for the competition and we came up with 8 days in total (this blew out to 22 days of excitement).

As soon as we could we pre registered with the AATA (“Asociación Argentina de Tiradores con Arco”) and were put in contact Pablo Marbec (WIAC 2009 Secretary) who handled our nominations and kept us informed during the lead up to the WIAC. The AATA arranged for Karina Bluhm Travel consultant for E-TS Travel Solutions to assist us in planning our trip. Karina worked wonders for us on our travel plans saving us thousands and getting us to places we had never dreamt of going and will never forget. If this article sounds like a travel brochure, that is my intention as I hope to see many of you at the 2012 World Field Archery Championships to be held in Argentina. When we finished the shoot the venue for the 2012 WFAC had not been selected but from what we have seen of this country and its people it will be a very challenging Field shoot indeed and run very professionally.

A couple of days before the shoot the English National team arrived at our hotel the Savoy, all of whom Heather and I new from previous World shoots, so the lead up to the WIAC included a little more local wine and excitement than should be considered optimal for the lead up to a major comp.
The first day of the WIAC was registration official practice and the opening ceremony, as with all Major international competitions the first day is a very stressful one for all concerned with the organizational side, everything was handled well by the Argentinean officials allowing the competitors to get on with what they were there for (to shoot). With archery being the great social sport that it is this is also the time we get to meet up with old friends and adversaries from around the world to swap info and catch up on news of other events and archers. This shoot was no exception with Teco Phillips from the US, Mike and Linda Lainchbury from New Zealand to name just a few we have spent time with during previous International competitions.
The opening ceremony was held in true Argentinean style with local wines and plenty of food, to the beat of the tango, this theme carried on through the night with spectacular exhibitions of Tango dancing that left the audience in rapture. The late nights of Buenos Aries took there toll on many of us as it is normal to have your evening meal after 10Pm in Argentina, for us older folk who were used to being in bed by that time it was difficult to get used to.
Day one of competition brings home all the excitement and anticipation built up through the last few months of preparation. The lighting in the venue was quite good with very little difference between individual targets so the changing of shoot groups and targets from day to day had very little effect on our shooting. Each round took an exceptionally long time to get through up to 5 hours per round, as a shooter I found it a bit sapping on the second day when the temp in the hall climbed through the afternoon. Day two in my group delivered near disaster for my adversary Steve Kendrick, it started with me clumsily kicking Steve’s bow stabiliser after the last arrow his bow fell but was saved from hitting the ground hard, this turned out to be a lucky incident as during his close examination of the bow he discovered that his bottom cable was all but off, hanging by just 2 strands. As is normal panic set in with 60 arrows to go this would never last the shoot and no time to build a cable and tune the bow. With a bit of international assistance all was not lost as an Argentinean archer came up with a portable bow press and Steve used me as a portable work bench (at least I now know that I am useful for something) we were able to get his bow shooting on the spot again for day three.

Day three brought milder temperatures, but no less anxiety as many archers had never competed at this level before and found it very exhausting to say the least. I have had people ask me how it could be exhausting just shooting 60 arrows in 5 hours, well I don’t really know but it is none the less. It must be a culmination of all the training, planning and hard work that it takes to just get to these competitions because it never changes that by the last day you can see it in the faces of the competitors. However when that last arrow finds its mark all that changes the venue is full of laughter and chatter, some archers giggling with exhilaration from a hard fought win others just glad that all that mental and physical work is over. For me it was a case of exhilaration, relief and straight out excitement as this is the first World Championships I have won, to work so long and hard toward something and then to finally achieve your goals mere words can not describe how I felt. My excitement was two fold as my dear wife Heather had also won Gold, so for a Husband and wife team to both become World Champions at the same championships the chances were slim indeed and well worth celebrating. As it happened there was a second couple from down under claiming gold with Mike and Linda Lainchbury from New Zealand also becoming World Champions in their divisions.
The Unlimited division shoot off was very exciting with our friend Linda Lainchbury taking out the Female Unlimited and Rodriguez Fernando taking out the Male Freestyle Unlimited.

At this point I would like to thank our sponsors as these wins were made possible not only through our own hard work but through the technology of our equipment. Our bows are designed and made by Dave Barnsdale of Barnsdale Archery, Heathers shoots a Classic X at 42” axle to axle with Tristar wheels and I shoot an Ultimate X 42” ATA with Wedel Cams, when Dave says they are more forgiving than your Mama he is not joking. Our sights are by Shibuya and they are just magic, so smooth and accurate when combined with Ontarget2 software for archers sight tapes you just cant go wrong. Heather uses a Trophy Taker drop away rest and I use the Trophy Taker one hole Spring Steel Blade and Tru Ball ST4 release, our optics are by Vortex Optics simply the best you can buy, and when you are in close competition you need the best. One new piece of kit we both use is compression ware by 2XU supplied by Rhys Aizlewood of Xme-Archery these make all the difference when it comes to Reducing fatigue levels and speeding up recovery after shot recovery.

With the hard work done then comes the Banquet and medal ceremony plus a little bit of partying, now keep in mid that we are in Argentina where people like to really celebrate. The banquet venue was a short stroll through the sports fields and marinas; this gave us a breath of fresh air to set us up for the couple of hours at the banquet before a well earned sleep for us old timers at least that was our plan based on previous WIAC banquets. Now don’t forget this is Buenos Aries we arrive at 8.30Pm then feasted and partied through the night with the presentations flowing through till 3.30Am the next morning, yes it was a long time but this is how it is done in this great southern land. With three table loads of medals to be presented for the Argentinean Nationals, South American Championships and the World Indoor Championships the entire proceedings went as smooth as clockwork with local wines, beautiful food and excellent entertainment by a local singer it truly was a night to remember and the culmination of a World Indoor Championships to live in our memories forever.
For Heather and me this was just the start of our Argentinean journey, Karina Bluhm had designed a tour to suit our budget and time perfectly with our first stop being El Calafate a small town in southern Patagonia nearly at the end of the earth. You quickly forget about the freezing winds swept up from the Antarctic as you cruse Lake Argentino among massive ice bergs on the approaches to some of the largest Glaciers on earth flowing between towering peaks of the magnificent Andes Mountains. We then headed north to Bariloche still in the Andes with beautiful lakes and scenic drives through ancient forests. Our last point of call was Argentina’s northern boarder with Brazil for the world famous Iguazu Falls, going from minus 7 degrees C (20F)at El Calafate to 42C (42F) at the falls was to say the least a shock to our systems but well worth doing. From the thundering roar that vibrates through your body to the thousands of swifts diving through the cataracts it is a spectacle not to be missed, and one to be remembered for a lifetime.
From the Australian team a big Mucho Gracious to all our new friends in South America.
So start planning now for the IFAA 2012 World Field Archery Championships in Argentina as it will be a competition not to be missed. In the next few weeks I hope to have more info for you concerning the proposed locations for 2012 so till then shoot well and enjoy all this wonderful sport has to offer.

Peter Bourke
Principal Coach for www.archeryfix.com