News and events 2023
Recent news
Nick Beeson - 27 December 2023
We announce, with regret, that David Aikin, of Bowmen of Adel, passed away on Christmas Day after a long illness.
David had been a stalwart of our club since the 1960s, and had held every Office from President to Committee Member. More importantly he was always on hand to help instruct new archers, or to apply his skills to construction and repair of equipment.
He could also lay out a completely accurate tournament field by eye!
A keen longbowman, David also ran the annual Wharfedale longbow tournament ever since the Bowmen of Wharfedale left Ben Rhydding. This tournament shall continue in his honour.
Funeral details shall be available in due course
Nick Beeson
Bowmen of Adel
Colin Hope - 3 December 2023
Chantry have unfortunately had to postpone the Audrey Lawrence shoot as the hall will not be opened on time.
we are going to try to re-arrange the shoot and will let everyone know what is going to happen.
Sorry if I have not been able to contact you prior to setting off.
Colin Hope
Chantry Bowmen of Rotherham
Barnsley YMCA Archers - 7 August 2023
Simon Slater - 6 August 2023
Regrettably the YAA Longbow Championships shoot scheduled for Saturday the 13th of August at Thirsk is cancelled due to lack of entrants.
The YAA will be sending out a questionnaire to Yorkshire clubs, especially the longbow archers, asking what they would like to see going forward to encourage more attendees to this shoot in the coming years.
A full refund will be given to those who did submit an entry.
Simon Slater
YAA Longbow Championships Tournament Organiser
Dave Hunt - 23 July 2023
Great news for Archers of Bridlington and Burton Agnes. We have been successful in our grant application from the Lissett Wind Farm Community Fund. The Club will now be able to provide longbows to all, to try before purchasing own equipment, something we have not been able to do before, giving the longbow archers the same opportunity as the recurve archers.
Also we will have matched arrows for the bows, making it a more enjoyable experience. The bows will come in very useful at the indoor range at Brandsburton, where some of the grant money will pay for some of the indoor sessions, which will allow for archery to go 'year long' and not have to pause when it gets too cold outside.
New bosses and stands are also part of the grant, replacing the extremely worn out ones we have now. Our more isolated members will be able to shoot through the winter in a warm, dry well lit environment, rather than hoping it's a warm Sunday in December/January. Coaching will also be available at Black Ridge range in Driffield as part of the grant. The longbows/arrows will also be used at school events and external have a goes.
A huge thank you to Lissett Wind Farm Community Fund for this opportunity to improve our kit, make archery year long, engage our members that don't shoot through the winter and enhance our presence at external events.
Dave Hunt
ABBA Club Coach
Ged Hebdige - 17 July 2023
Chantry Bowmen regret to announce the cancellation of the Double WA 900, which had been scheduled to take place on the 20th of August.
Despite Chantry Bowmen booking a suitable area of the field for the Double WA900 tournament last October the venue, Phoenix Sports & Social Club, has now taken the decision to host a memorial football tournament on the 20th of August, the same day as the shoot, knowing that the football tournament would need to utilise one of the two pitches we had booked. The management of the venue offered us alternative areas to hold the shoot, but none of these is suitable either because of the poor surface condition or lack of the necessary side safety or overshoot required by AGB.
We expressed our dissatisfaction with the situation to the management of the venue, but they remain insistent that if anyone needs to cancel, it will be us rather than the footballers. Once again, I'm afraid it's a case of "archers, put up or shut up"!
Ged Hebdige
Tournament Organiser
Chantry Bowmen of Rotherham
Yvonne Stead - 8 July 2023
The Flight subgroup offer the opportunity for clubs to run a flight archery taster session at their own venues using fluflu arrows.
If you are interested, please let me know so I can liaise with the group.
Yvonne Stead
Archery GB
Regional Development Officer (NCAS)
yvonne.stead@archerygb.org
John Fell - 29 June 2023
Bronte Archers regret to announce the cancellation of the Double WA1440 and Metrics scheduled to be held on the 8th and 9th of July.
Hopefully we will be running both our May and July shoots next year.
John Fell
Bronte Archers
30 May 2023
Simon Slater was awarded the Yorkshire Award at the Selby Westerns by Andrew Neal, YAA President.
Simon was nominated by his club. Nova Bowmen. The citation reads:
On joining Nova Bowmen 13 years ago Simon, accompanied by his whole family, became a very active member and accomplished archer in all bow styles.
Nine years ago, Simon became Club Chairman, and since then has been instrumental in developing and guiding the direction of the club and supporting every archer to enjoy the sport, no matter what level they might be. He is ambitious for the club, and invests time in its members individually and collectively to help them to achieve and grow within the family-orientated and inclusive philosophy the club holds dear.
His personal qualities of understanding, approachability and being an excellent communicator are key attributes to the success of leading our club. These qualities were severely tested throughout the pandemic where Simon was exemplary in keeping our membership community informed and engaged. He showed leadership and determination in gearing the club up to be able to shoot, with much planning and organising behind the scenes to adapt to the ever-changing COVID guidelines.
Simon became a level 2 Coach and heads the Clubs coaching team where his supportive coaching style and informed knowledge is appreciated and welcomed by both experienced members as well as those new to the sport.
Most clubs have a member who is prepared to help support, guide and go that bit further for the betterment of the club and Simon is ours at Nova Bowmen. Our club would like him to know how much we recognise and appreciate all his hard work and commitment to Nova Bowmen and the sport of Archery.
Chris Rose
On behalf of the Nova Bowmen Committee
Aardvark Archery - 6 May 2023
We regret to announce that Aardvark Archery Ltd will be closing for good on Saturday 13th May 2023. This was not an easy decision but I'm sure you will all understand at least some of the reasons why.
A 25% discount is being applied to all orders for in-stock items on a first-come first-served basis. Second hand equipment and postage is excluded. For Web orders the discount will be applied before your transaction is settled and dispatched.
Thank you for your custom and please go easy on us for what will probably be a rather busy week ahead.
Yours, The Aardvarks
Aardvark Archery
Unit 31G
Springfield Commercial Centre
Bagley Lane
Farsley
Leeds
LS28 5LY
29 April 2023
Kath Fitzpatrick has stepped down as County Coaching Officer after 32 years of exceptional service. We thank Kath sincerely for the great work she's done for Yorkshire's archers.
Thomas Keane is the new CCO.
Coaches should be receiving regular update emails - if not, please contact Thomas:
coachingyaa@gmail.com
Ian Foster - 29 April 2023
We have been approached to put on an archery have-a-go session in Pontefract on Sunday 9 July, as part of the Liquorice weekend. We provided a similar session last year, but are unable to do so again this year.
Last year we used three bosses, one for small children, two for adults. There was a lot of interest, and we were busy all day.
If any clubs are interested in providing the have-a-go, please contact Andy Wilkinson, YAA secretary, for more details:
yaa.sec@gmail.com
Ian Foster
DeLacey Archers
Andy Wilkinson - UPDATED 20 March 2023
Notice of the 73rd Annual General Meeting - new date
The Annual General Meeting of the Yorkshire Archery Association has been rearranged for Saturday 1st April 2023 at 10:30am at Shaw Lane Sports Club, Barnsley S70 6HZ. I look forward to seeing you there but should you be unable to attend please try to ensure that your club is represented. Please note that half the positions on the committee are available for those who wish to stand and support the YAA.
Agenda for the 73rd AGM
- Apologies
- Minutes of the 72nd AGM
- Points of Accuracy
- Approval
- Chairman's Report
- Secretary's Report
- Treasurer's Report
- Approve accounts
- Set Affiliation Fees - no change recommended
- Appointment of a Validator
- Officers reports: CCO, SPOC, Junior Officer, PRO, Tournaments (Target, Clout, Field & Longbow), Teams & Safeguarding.
- Committee Recommendations
- Proposed changes to the Constitution - none proposed
- Election of Officers and Members of the General Committee
- Confirmation in post of Safeguarding Officers
Yours sincerely
Andy Wilkinson
YAA Secretary
Roger Smart of Thirsk Bowmen was awarded the Yorkshire Sword at the YAA Championships on the 4th of June 2023, for services performed in 2022.
Member of the Yorkshire recurve team who were victorious at the 2022 inter-counties.