Although archery is a new sport in the Northern Cape, more and more people are getting involved.
“We are excited about the future of archery in the province,” says Schalk van der Merwe, coordinator of Africa Genesis Archery Northern Cape NPC (AGA-NC) and representative of the Adventure Archery Academy in Kimberley.
“Apart from being an exciting sporting discipline, archery is implemented as a means of social and youth upliftment.”
In October last year, the Du Toitspan Primary School in Kimberley was the first school in the province to receive a donation of archery equipment. This sparked interest and convinced various organisations and individuals to become involved.
As the AGA-NC has completed the first phase of a project to introduce archery to learners with disabilities, even differently abled people are encouraged to take up the discipline of archery. A few learners already started the coaching programme and are excelling in the sport.
Tournament stirring up excitement
Anticipation is mounting for the AGA Africa Virtual Tournament, set to take place in Kimberley on 2 and 3 July. In this prestigious tournament, to be held at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre, the top 48 South African archers will be competing against the best talent from Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Sponsorship opportunities abound, and interested businesses and individuals can contact Dawid de Greeff, AGA-NC coordinator.
The successful hosting of this event will strengthen the AGA-NC’s bid to host the AGA National Championship in 2024, by which time a strong provincial team will have been raised up with representation across various age groups, ethnicities and genders.
Championship around the corner
The AGA-NC is excited to take the best Northern Cape archers to the AGA National Championship, which will be hosted in Paarl in October.
Here the archers will have the opportunity to compete against other provincial teams. The sponsorship of teamwear and covering of travel expenses are encouraged.
In a recent virtual competition against other provinces and a team from Canada, the Northern Cape team won three gold, two silver and four bronze medals. This was great preparation for the upcoming event.
Developments, plans and projects in the pipeline
The existing archery range next to GWK had to be evacuated to make way for road construction. While plans are envisioned to build an indoor archery range that will accommodate all archery disciplines and serve as a hub for competitions on all levels and in any weather conditions, a new practise range has been set up at the Big Hole Driving Range, just off Schmidtsdrift Street, in the meantime.
Building contractors and businesses who wish to become involved through sponsorship can contact De Greeff or Van der Merwe.
Get involved
To award Northern Cape archers with provincial and national colours, AGA clubs need to be established throughout the province.
To start an AGA club, become an archery coach or become involved in archery, call De Greeff on 073-030-2909 or Van der Merwe on 082-762-9838, or send an email to nc@agarchery.co.za.
