NC Archery hit the bullseye in 2022

AS THE year winds down, and we look back on 2022, where archery in the Northern Cape has hit many bullseyes, so to speak.

Following the AGA-NC Provincial Competition on July 30, 40 archers — of whom 31 were a part of the junior and adult provincial teams — qualified to participate at the AGA-SA National Tournament in Paarl, which will take place from October 5-7 this year.

Dawid de Greeff, the provincial administrator, expressed his delight at witnessing Northern Cape families participate together throughout the year and at the national competition in Paarl, as well as at the incredible development the sport has seen.

“In January, there were only a few members; by December, there were close to 80 active members, 12 of whom had earned the Northern Cape provincial colours in archery.

“We wish to thank the Northern Cape Sport & Recreation Authority for providing financial support for our team's attendance in the National Tournament as well as Golden Pond Trading for sponsoring the team tracksuits," he said.

“Despite the difficulties we had establishing a new sport in the province, we enjoy the victories we obtained this year. At the most recent national tournament in Paarl, two of our archers — Dylan O'Connell, 8 years old, and Lilly Heuwel, in fourth grade — received silver medals in their respective age groups, and two NC archers — Tyra Adams and Nurah Isaacs, both homeschooled students in the 11th grade — were chosen to represent the Northern Cape on the National Junior Development Team 2023.

“An intriguing international event will include the national teams of South Africa, Botswana, Canada, Namibia, and Zimbabwe on December 10,” said De Greef.

Grown in leaps and bounds

In just 10 months, Northern Cape Archery has literally gone from nothing to a bull's eye, according to Provincial Coordinator Schalk van der Merwe.

The Northern Cape Archers had the honour of competing against their local peers as well as having the chance to participate both online and in person at national and international competitions.

Marvin Ponton (Gr. 7) earned the gold medal in a virtual interprovincial tournament in February, and then in April, the Archers participated against Canada and Namibia and won seven medals (1 gold, 1 silver, and 5 bronze).

Forty eight members of the National Team were welcomed to the Diamond City by Northern Cape Archery, which won the proposal to host the famous Africa Genesis Archery Federation Tournament (AGAFT) in July of this year. From there, they competed virtually against Namibia and Botswana.

The archers shot quite well in their first away match against Schweizer Reneke in August. The National Tournament at Paarl came next. The AGAFT in July was a shining example, bringing attention to the sport, inspiring incredible local support, and laying the groundwork for development and expansion into other Northern Cape districts.

Thanks for the support

De Greeff expressed his appreciation for the enormous help and community involvement they have received this year from the organisations, small companies, and individuals listed below.

Africa Steel and Pipes (Kimberley), Oranje Toyota, Spec-Savers, DigiTV/Kimberley TV, Oasis Water, Kimberley Horseshoe Inn, Sky's Aquifer, Vermeulen's Build It, Kimberley Roof Trusses, CRI, Plastic Zone Kimberley, Adventure Archery Club, Wildman, Cape Fox Tours, Northern Cape Tourism Authority (NCTA), Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts & Culture, Go, Fuel Kimberley, OK Tower Centre, Barkly Road Butchery, Barkly Road Fruit and Veg, CARITAS Kimberley, Choctaw SPUR Steak Ranch, PIC Group of Companies (Engen, Kimberley), Shell Fuel Station (Long Street Kimberley), Northern Cape Hunters Association, and GWK are just a few of the organisations in the city.

“In addition to all that Archery Northern Cape and our Achers accomplished in 2022, we should not overlook the significance and importance that the sport has for every one of our archers,” De Greef said.

“A global study demonstrates that firing arrows at various phases is beneficial for preserving one’s physical, biological, and mental health. In the sport of archery, which includes launching an arrow as accurately as possible at a target, success depends on having fine motor and accuracy abilities.

“To handle the strain and attain great accuracy, one needs excellent skill, focus, tactics, certain physical conditions, and psychological factors including motivation, confidence, anxiety control, self-control, and persistence.

Archers tell their stories

The DFA spoke to some of the archers to hear their views of their archery experience so far. Their responses were interesting.

Dylan O'Connell, a student at Eureka Primary in Grade 2, appreciates being able to compete both independently and as a member of a team. It makes him more relaxed and focused. After only nine months of archery, he earned Northern Cape Provincial colours this year.

Nurah Isaacs, a homeschooled 11th Grader, quoted Gandhi: “Winning does not make you stronger. Your weaknesses shape your strengths. Being resilient in the face of adversity is what defines strength,” she said.

She claimed that the first time she touched a bow and arrow, her tummy was filled with butterflies and her pulse raced. She realised she had at last discovered a sport she enjoyed at that point. She had to learn several crucial things, one of which was to trust her own judgment and intuition. She also emphasised the need for a solid support system when pursuing success in archery.

Nurah was subjected to several taunts as a young child due to a malformed hand. “I honestly thought that, due to my condition, some people wouldn't accept me,” she said. “I felt unwelcome and nasty. I was able to embrace my condition with the help of my family and my school, which made me stronger.”

She claimed that archery enabled her to let go of the burdensome load. “I don't practise archery to become the greatest. That arrow is soothing to shoot, and it has turned into my happy spot,” she told the DFA. When she was selected for the 2023 AGA-SA National Development Archery Team, Nurah had only been practising archery for six months.

Tyra Adams, a Grade 11 homeschooler, is ranked number one in the Northern Cape and maintains a consistent score of 285/300. She shoots between 80 and 100 arrows when she practices at AGA-SA’s ranch.

Tyra seems to be into the technical side of archery explaining that she uses the Mathews Genesis bow, which is easy to shoot. It has an adjustable draw weight of 10 to 20 lbs, but it shoots like a bow with a higher draw weight. When adjusted to 20 pounds, the Mathews Genesis bow stores and releases energy comparable to that of a 35-pound recurve bow. It is an incredibly accurate bow, quiet, and just plain fun to shoot.

Tyra also says that she utilises extremely safe and AGA-SA-approved Easton 1820 aluminium arrows. She likes the proverb that says, “Archers who shoot for the joy of the sport naturally employ their inherent skills”.

The hands of archers begin to tremble, their breathing gets erratic, and they grow enraged and blind if they fire to hit the target to win. Those archers lack proficiency in their chosen field. She told the DFA that archery has taught her to never give up. “I know I won't always hit the mark, but it encourages me to keep trying,” Tyra added.

“You are constantly up against yourself with archery. I understand that all I can do is my best. My best is sufficient.”