August-September-October 2008


Wot the 'eck?

This was snapped at the YAA outdoor target championships on the 1st of June.
What can this item be?
A flower opening up to take in the June sunshine (or pelting rain in this case)?
A fancy art exhibit?
Or could it be David Nordoff's arrow after Guy Jones smacked it right on the pin?
Crunchy arrow

YAA 22nd Longbow Championships

The Yorkshire Archery Association's 22nd Longbow Championships and Open Meeting will take place at Cross Hills, near Keighley, on Saturday the 9th of August 2008. The venue is South Craven School, and our hosts are Aire Valley Archers.
This was a really excellent shoot last year - lovely setting, gorgeous weather, and tasty sherry and cake. Fingers crossed for the same again this year (especially the sherry).
As ever, there was a great friendly atmosphere. If you have a longbow or can get hold of one for the day, we recommend that you get yourself along to this shoot.

Danielle Brown wins Commonwealth award

Danielle Brown of Aire Valley Archers was joint winner in the category Outstanding Female Elite Athlete with a Disability at the Commonwealth Sports Awards Dinner on the 14th of June in Glasgow. The other winner was Karoline Pelendritou of Cyprus, a swimmer.
Each Commonwealth nation (in this case England) invited each sport representative body to supply nominations for each category. From these nominations, one was selected in each category as the national nomination, to compete against the other nations' candidates. So, to gain the award, Danielle was up against athletes from all sports from across the Commonwealth.
The nomination from the English Archery Federation reads:

Having represented Great Britain as an able-bodied junior archer (despite her disability) Danielle joined the GB Paralympic Archery team in 2006. In the Arizona Cup in April she achieved a team gold medal; this was followed by a gold medal and two world records in the individual and team events at the European Invitational Grand Prix at Stoke Mandeville in July. However, her outstanding achievement was to take Gold in the IPC World Championships in Korea in October, setting no fewer than seven world records in the process.
She has also represented GB seniors as an able-bodied archer.
Danielle, who is now studying law at The University of Leicester, suffers from a condition called RSD - reflex sympathetic dystrophy - which results in constant, chronic pain in her feet.
She used to take part in sports like fell running before her disability started and took up archery "because there was no running around involved". Initially shooting in a standing position, she has been forced to use a wheelchair as her condition dictated.

Nick Beeson, Chairman of the English Archery Federation

Martin Holtby awarded the Yorkshire Sword

Martin Holtby of Hull Kingston Archers has been presented with the Yorkshire Sword for his services to archery in 2007 and over many previous years. The sword was presented at the YAA Championships on the 1st of June 2008 by the Lady Paramount, Nicole Allen.
Martin Holtby receives the Yorkshire Sword

The citation nominating Martin for the award reads:

Hull Kingston Archers would be proud to nominate Martin Holtby for the 2007 Yorkshire Sword. An archer of 28+ years, Martin has achieved just about every award the County & Region can offer. As a Coach for 10 years Martin finally achieved the rank of Senior Coach & Assessor for the Region & GNAS. He has raised the level of some already very good archers to achieve even more, often to MB status, often at the expenses of his own shooting/practice and valuable free time.
He is the sort of person who speaks quietly but achieves much for others. A YAA Committee man, Hull Kingston Archers Club Official, YAA CPO, Martin wears so many hats for Yorkshire he should walk with a stoop, but his back is straight and he is proud to work for YAA archers with no thought for himself.
I am proud to know Martin and offer his name for consideration for the Award.
 - John Gilroy, Secretary, Hull Kingston Archers

First recipient of the Yorkshire Award

Geoff Taylor of the Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax has become the first recipient of the new Yorkshire Award. The Yorkshire Award is intended as recognition of individuals and couples who have performed outstanding service to their clubs over many years. Geoff certainly fits that description.
The award was presented by Jim Routledge, Vice President of the YAA, at Phoenix's ground on Sunday the 8th of June 2008. The citation reads:

Geoff Taylor has been a member of the club continuously since its founding thirty years ago. He has taken on every task in the club at some point and performed it diligently and well. He is currently the club's treasurer, in addition to which he helps with the coaching, grounds maintenance, equipment management and just about everything else. At the age of 78 he shows no signs of slacking, and is an excellent example to the other members of the club.
Geoff has stuck with the club through some very rough patches, and has often been the only thing keeping the club alive.
Geoff has been crucial to maintaining good relations with our hosts, Halifax RUFC. He comes to the grounds every Monday morning to tidy up and maintain the premises, and works on the gate when home games are on. He sat on the rugby club's committee for many years, representing the archery section.
Geoff has consistently taken a progressive and clear-sighted approach to the archery club, bringing about changes when needed.
The Yorkshire Award would be fitting recognition for an archer who has worked long and hard for the club over three decades.

Geoff Taylor receives the Yorkshire Award from Jim Routledge
Geoff Taylor (centre right) receives the Yorkshire Award from Jim Routledge (centre left).

The Yorkshire Award

Do you have an individual or couple like Geoff in your club? If so, please consider submitting a nomination.
THE YORKSHIRE AWARD is a prestigious award where clubs can nominate individuals or couples who, in the eyes of their club, deserve recognition for services to that particular club.
There is no set deadline for submission of nominations.
If you think someone in your club deserves such recognition, please download the nomination form from the website, complete it, and send it to the county secretary.
 Yorkshire Award Nomination and Citation Form

300th Scorton Arrow

The Society of Archers held its famous Antient Silver Arrow shoot at Scorton, North Yorkshire, on the 17th of May 2008. This was the 300th recorded tournament in the Society's 336 year history.
The Scorton Arrow, as we usually call it, is the world's oldest recorded and longest established sporting event. There are other events that claim to have been running for longer, but reliable records of these don't go back as far as those of the Scorton Arrow.
Although The Society is not affiliated to the YAA, it contains many well-known YAA figures and the Scorton Arrow is largely contested by YAA members. And, of course, the contest always takes place in Yorkshire. This year it took place in the village of Scorton itself for only the 15th time in the tournament's history.
Mr Guy Hair of The Bowmen of St Mary's became Captain of the Arrow and Mr Lewis Mitchell of Adwalton Moor Archers became Lieutenant of the Arrow. Congratulations to them on their achievements, and to the Society on reaching such a great milestone.

Guy HairLewis Mitchell
Guy HairLewis Mitchell
Photos courtesy of the Society of Archers and used by kind permission

This means The Bowmen of St Mary's must stage the event next year, of course. Lewis Mitchell won the Arrow in 1995 when he was a member of my club, the Phoenix Bowmen. I'm told the phrase "you daft b*gger!" crossed quite a few lips!

Tim Mason

Abbeydale Archers tournaments

The Abbeydale Archers Longbow Shoot will be held on the 4th of April 2009 at De La Salle Sports Association, Sheffield. The round is a one-way Western. For an entry form, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to:
Mrs H Harrison, Flat B, 39 Abbey Lane, Sheffield, S8 0BN. Telephone 0114 2745329

The Abbeydale Archers Potato Shoot will be held at De La Salle on the 19th of April 2009. The round is a Western. Potatoes and baked beans are included. For an entry form, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to:
Mrs M C Raybould, 57 Hollins Spring Avenue, Hilltop, Dronfield, S18 1RP. Telephone 01246 414872

New Abbeydale website: http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/helenharrison/

YAA Coaching needs a new venue

For the past 7-8 years we have been fortunate to have the use of the Adult Education Centre at Wetherby for all our squads and coach training. We had excellent facilities at Wetherby (2 halls, several small rooms, 2 kitchens) at a very reasonable cost of £8 per hour. This is now closing, so we have need of a new home. The requirements would be - ideally - a shooting area where we can get 20 yards (mainly for squads) a classroom area (for training) a kitchen and toilets plus storage for bosses and stands. We have our own bosses and can equip with backstop netting if not an archery range.
If anyone can suggest somewhere we could look at we would be very grateful. We have already looked at a Scout facility which could be used for coach training but would only give around 12 yards indoors, so not big enough for squads. Ideally we would like one place we could use for all events, which over the winter (September to April) is around 12-13 Saturdays and 15 Sundays.
If anyone can help please contact me in the first instance and I will make arrangements to have a look.

Kath Fitzpatrick
tel. 01226 218518
email kath-f @ blueyonder.co.uk or kath @ yaacoaching.co.uk.

Judges Liaison Officer

I became the YAA's Judges Liaison Officer (JLO) at the YAA AGM in March.
Please contact me if you need to book a judge for a tournament. My phone number is 01924 264125. My email address is karen.winsett at salvationarmy.org.uk.
Also, please see the piece elsewhere in this newsletter about the Judges Confirmation and Expense Form.

Karen "J-Lo" Winsett

Inter-Counties score submission

The Inter-Counties Junior Tournament is an annual event held on the Saturday immediately before the first Sunday in October, moving around the 5 Northern Counties on a rota basis. For 2008 the event will be hosted by Cumbria, and will be held on Saturday 4 October 2008.
The Bristol rounds will be shot in the Tournament, appropriate to age group.
 Document removed
Closing date for submissions: 31st August 2008.

The Inter-Counties Tournament is an annual event held on the first Sunday in October, moving around the Northern Counties on a rota basis. For 2008 the event will be hosted by Cumbria on Sunday 5 October 2008
The rounds to be shot in the Tournament are the York for Gentlemen and the Hereford for Ladies.
 Document removed
Closing date for submissions: 31st August 2008.

Yorkshire are national junior compound champions

Yorkshire won the National Compound team Championship at the Junior National Championship at Lilleshall on July 6th. The team, consisting of Georgina Brown, Rachael Smith, and Aaron Barnes easily beat Lancashire into second place in highly testing conditions. Sadly, the recurve team was slightly lower - in 20th place!
Georgina also won her age-group title in the Metric day on Saturday, coming second in the Hereford on Sunday, and was in the victorious England team in the Home Nations match. Our other medal winner was Ruby Hancock, who took third place in her age-group on Sunday.
Full Yorkshire results are below (and full full results are on the GNAS website). Congratulations to all eight who took part. Shooting in the very wet and windy conditions over the two days would have caused many an adult archer simply to give up.

Metric 1 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve70m60m50m30mScore10+XXs
14Michael Wallhead
Spen Valley Bowmen
257266253282105881
Metric 2 - Junior Gentlemen Compound60m50m40m30mScore10+XXs
5Aaron Barnes
Barnsley AC
2983163013201235319
Metric 2 - Junior Ladies Recurve60m50m40m30mScore10+XXs
4Ruby Hancock
Dearne Valley AC
2702802613021113186
14Helena Beeson
Bowmen of Adel
14415614020264260
Metric 3 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve60m50m40m30mScore10+XXs
15Tommy Price
Wakefield Archers
24123623927599180
Metric 3 - Junior Ladies Compound60m50m40m30mScore10+XXs
1Georgina Brown
Aire Valley Archers
33934133534713628336Compound Cup
5Rachael Smith
Barnsley AC
32832030931012674112
Metric 5 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve30m20m15m10mScore10+XXs
2Joe Fairburn
Bowmen of Adel
12419121723877051


NameBow typeScore10+XXs
England9684334138
Rachel BeardsleyRecurve13538144
Jason RelfRecurve12714115
Frankie JonesRecurve1158229
Andrew RandallRecurve1098266
Zak CrawfordRecurve1060126
Connie HartleyRecurve1058151
Georgina BrownCompound13628336
Philip GowerCompound13245421


JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 6 July 2008 - RESULTS
PositionNameClubHitScoreGolds
Hereford - Junior Ladies Compound
2Georgina BrownAire Valley Archers144119697
Bristol 1 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve
6Michael WallheadSpen Valley Bowmen143105151
Bristol 2 - Junior Gentlemen Compound
7Aaron BarnesBarnsley AC1441216105
Bristol 2 - Junior Ladies Recurve
3Ruby HancockDearne Valley AC144109463
14Helena BeesonBowmen of Adel13073822
Bristol 3 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve
17Tommy PriceWakefield Archers14397545
Bristol 3 - Junior Ladies Compound
4Rachael SmithBarnsley AC1441236114
Bristol 5 - Junior Gentlemen Recurve
4Joe FairburnBowmen of Adel13887433


COUNTY MIXED RECURVE TEAMS - The Price Hughes Cup
20YorkshireScore: 3858Hits: 560Golds: 181
Ruby Hancock
Michael Wallhead
Tommy Price
Helena Beeson
 
COUNTY MIXED COMPOUND TEAMS
1YorkshireScore: 3648Hits: 432Golds: 316
Rachael Smith
Aaron Barnes
Georgina Brown


Nick Beeson

Updated GNAS classifications

The classification requirements for Compound, Longbow and Recurve have changed, and a new set of classification requirements has been introduced for Barebow Recurve. The tables on the YAA's website have been updated:
 Revised classification tables

These are based on the GNAS Shooting Administration Procedures, which can be downloaded from the GNAS (or should I say Archery GB) website.

NCAS/YAA Single FITA Star and Metrics 2008

Wetherby was blessed with glorious sunshine on the 31st of May 2008 for the Single FITA.
Cliff Lewis of the Rochdale Company of Archers was the Lord Patron. Cliff has been crossing the border into Yorkshire for many years to support our shoots, and we felt this was a nice way of thanking him and showing our appreciation.

 Full results and awards

 Photos

YAA Championships

In sharp (or perhaps dull) contrast to the previous day, the YAA Championships on the 1st of June 2008 were drenched in persistent rain. At least it helped to cool our sunburnt skin.
Nicole Allen of Selby Archers was the Lady Paramount. She was also Lady Champion!
The YAA Coaching group made another excellent job of the catering over the two days of the Single FITA and the Championships, and raised a very useful sum for the county squads.

 Full results and awards

 Photos

NCAS/YAA Double FITA

The NCAS/YAA Double FITA 2008 was held at Grange Park, Wetherby on the 5th and 6th of July.
David Hunter, a Cheshire man now shooting with the Rochdale Company of Archers, was the Lord Patron. Like Cliff Lewis, he's been a great supporter of Yorkshire's shoots for many years, and has often taken great delight in carrying off our trophies and medals over the Pennines.
Heavy rain on both days, plus thunder and fork lightning on the Saturday, made for miserable conditions and a lot of people dropping out. Despite this, many archers shot good scores: several Master Bowman scores and a surprising number of personal bests were shot. One of the surprising features of this rain-lashed summer has been the number of good scores shot, and even national records set, in adverse conditions.
Saturday's shoot was cut short. The officials decided to stop the round after 50 metres because we were already 45 minutes behind schedule and there was a concern that the severe weather would return to cause further delays and present safety risks.

 Full results and awards

 Photos

Judges expenses form

The Judges Confirmation and Expense Form was designed following comments made by a number of judges, who have had to approach tournament organisers to seek re-imbursement for their various expenses, almost feeling that they have had to negotiate the matter or value of their expenses for the day. They have also not been sure of the arrangements being provided (or not provided) by the club for the judge's lunch.
The approach we're recommending is for the tournament organiser or club secretary to send the form to the judge well in advance of the event, and for the judge to return the confirmation of their attendance and expected expenses, such that these matters can be settled well before the day.
If you are responsible for organising such a tournament, or are the secretary of a club that runs such a tournament, we request that you use this form.
To prevent double booking of Judges, the Judges Confirmation and Expense Form includes a tear off slip to send to Karen Winsett, the Judges Liaison Officer, when the booking has been confirmed. The form can be downloaded as a Word document:
 Judges confirmation and expense form (Word format)

Alternatively, write to me or phone me for a copy.
Many thanks for your anticipated support.

Dave Phillips, YAA Secretary

YAA merchandise

The YAA now have stocks of the following items:

Y A A merchandise

Baseball Caps embroidered with the YAA logo.
£4 each (one size fits all)

Embroidered Blazer Badges
£7 each

Enamel lapel badges
£2 each

These are available from Dave Phillips, YAA Secretary. Sorry, not available by mail order - just see me at one of the shoots.


Dave Phillips, YAA Secretary

Contact

Newsletter produced by Tim Mason on behalf of the Yorkshire Archery Association.
The next newsletter will be produced towards the end of October 2008. If you have anything you'd like to be included, please contact me via yaa@phoenixbowmen.co.uk or 07986 185882.


©2006-2010 Yorkshire Archery Association
Please report any problems with this site to the Webmaster.
Accessibility statement