News and events
Recent news
DVAC - 17 October 2021
Owing to Covid and unforeseen circumstances, we are having to cancel our Field Competition next weekend.
We have delayed making this decision as long as possible as we have tried many different ways to keep it on, but as a club, it is not possible for us to continue with this shoot.
This also means that the YAA Field Championships, which were to be part of Sunday's shoot, are also cancelled.
Refunds will be issued within the coming week.
Again, we can only apologise for this.
Emma and the DVAC team
Dearne Valley Archery Club
Andrew Neal - 5 October 2021
With the uncertainty around whether the BA Winter Postal League will run this winter, I will run the Selby Winter Leagues again.
There will be a Portsmouth league and a Frostbite league.
Shooting, scoring and points awarded will be on a teams basis.
Please see this document for full details:
Selby League Winter 2021-22 rules and Entry Details (PDF)
Andrew Neal
YAA President and Tournament Organiser
Colin Hope - 25 September 2021
Chantry Bowmen's indoor range is now open to members of other Archery GB-affiliated clubs on Friday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
The target fee for visitors is £5 per session.
The venue is Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park, Bawtry Road, Brinsworth, Sheffield, S9 1WA.
Colin Hope
Chantry Bowmen of Rotherham
Deborah Whitehead - 16 September 2021
Obituary
Chris Raistrick 1952-2021
Harvester Archers of Doncaster are sad to announce the passing of Chris Raistrick on 9th September 2021.
Chris's first experience of archery was on one of his many holidays with his beloved wife Brenda. Chris enjoyed the experience so much that he persuaded his good friend Chris Swales to do a beginners course together and then they joined Harvester Archers in 2012. He completed his level 1 coaching course in 2014 and progressed to level 2 in 2016.
Chris was a huge presence in the club: he was our equipment officer and carried out this role assiduously. Chris's technical knowledge was second to none. He would cease his own practice at the drop of a hat to help a fellow archer out with any equipment problems and he set a high standard in recurve set-up. Chris was incredibly generous with his time and expertise and his own achievements within Yorkshire Archery were not inconsiderable: he competed regularly in the county and Harvester Archers were regular winners of the team cups in Yorkshire. Chris's score was always a contributing factor to that success. Chris achieved his Master Bowman First Class award. His preferred discipline was Olympic Recurve but latterly, he shot barebow to challenge himself further. He intended to compete with barebow but sadly, lockdown prevented him achieving this.
Chris was a very talented coach and this role highlighted his passion for the sport and how seriously he undertook his role as a coach. Chris was never happier than explaining bow set up, running beginners courses, helping at HAGs and one to one archer development.
Having highlighted Chris's expertise and professionalism, he may well be best remembered for his sense of humour and his ability to plan ingenious fun shoots. Club members will never forget trying to shoot wearing googly-eye glasses, a Halloween shoot in the dark and the infamous 'Western Western' (don't ask, it's too complicated). Chris always made sure that fun shoots and internal competitions would include everyone in the club and would often not shoot himself so he could oversee the fun.
Chris was talented, kind, generous and unassuming. He was a wonderful club member and we will miss him.
R.I.P Chris.
Deborah Whitehead
Harvester Archers
David Whitham - 5 September 2021
Numbers are unfortunately limited for this year's shoot and it is now closed to new entries.
As we now have a waiting list, I should be grateful if all outstanding archers who have not yet been in touch with me could confirm via email whether or not they will be attending our shoot:
David Whitham
White Rose Archers
Kath Fitzpatrick - 19 August 2021
It was good to see that so many YAA archers, both recurve and compound, took part in the National Tour stage 5 at Barnsley last weekend.
In total we had 10 compounds from 6 different clubs and 3 recurves from 3 clubs. Of these, 7 were past or current Arrowhawks athletes.
In the compounds, Oskars Lock qualified 6th with 688, working his way through the H2H rounds to take gold against Adam Ravenscroft, 149-148.
Aaron Bainton and Ian Clark tied on qualifying score in 17th and 18th place only separated by two golds, finishing in equal 17th after the 1/16 round. Finlay Clark went a step farther, qualifying in 23rd with 652 but getting through to the 1/8 round of H2H and finishing in equal 9th place. Beth Rhodes qualified in 17th place with 616, winning her 1/16 match but losing out at the 1/8 match to eventual gold medal winner Ella Gibson.
In the recurves, Roger Castillo qualified 7th with 649, a new YAA record, shooting his way through to the quarter finals after winning his 1/8 round by a one arrow shoot off against Ryan Pinder 10-9. He eventually fell to Conor Hall in the 1/4 finishing 6th overall and securing his place at the finals at Lilleshall.
Niamh Titchener qualified in 16th place, made the cut to 16 but went out in the 1/16 round to Karen Bryan of Trackside, and finishing equal 17th overall.
Other YAA archers shooting were:
Ian Beswick, compound, =17th
Gary Thompson, recurve, =17th
Lindsay Howard, compound, =9th
Holly Hopkinson, compound, =17th
Neil Patterson, compound, =17th
Apologies that I have no compound photos as I could only attend on Sunday - recurve day!
Kath Fitzpatrick
Arrowhawks Archery Academy
Dave Hunt - 22 July 2021
Archers of Bridlington & Burton Agnes held its AGM on Wednesday evening and a decision was made, unanimously, to not run the Indoor Portsmouth again this year.
The safety of our club members and our archery friends is our priority, so until we are sure it is safe for you to travel over to see us, we hope you all remain safe and well.
Dave Hunt
ABBA Club Coach
19 July 2021
Congratulations to Joe Fairburn of Wharfe Valley Archers for his selection to the Great Britain Field Archery team, to take part in the European Championships in Croatia in September.
Joe will be hoping to improve on the Bronze medal that he won in 2019.
14 July 2021
Sarah Monteith won the British 3D Championships (Ladies Instinctive division) which were held in Wales at Pentref Bowmen's field course.
She has also been selected to represent Great Britain in the upcoming European 3D Championships being held in Maribor, Slovenia in late August.
Congratulations to Sarah from all at the YAA.
14 July 2021
Yorkshire archers did well at stage 2 of the National Tour, which was held in Surrey last weekend.
Roger Castillo-Alquezar of Selby AC won gold in the Men's Recurve category on Saturday the 10th, Recurve Day, winning through three one-arrow shoot-offs. He followed it up with silver on Sunday. He's currently second in teh National Tour rankings.
Izzy Carpenter of Barnsley AC won bronze in the Women's Compound category.
Adam Carpenter of Barnsley AC finished fourth in the Men's Compound category.
Congratulations from all at the YAA.
Andy Wilkinson - 6 July 2021
Gwen Smith of Barnsley AC, the YAA's Treasurer, has been awarded the Yorkshire Sword for her outstanding service to Yorkshire's archers.
The sword was presented on the 4th of July 2021 at the County Championships at Wetherby.
The citation reads:
Having taken on the massive role of County Treasurer, she has continued to ensure that all finances in the county are properly accounted for.
Away from bookkeeping she has actively worked with the County Teams Organiser to review the selection policies to try to ensure that all YAA members have equal opportunities to represent the county.
She is also frequently seen on the field at YAA tournaments helping to search for arrows or to do any of the numerous other jobs that always need doing, encouraging the archers with a positive approach and kind words when needed.
Having previously represented the county as an archer on several occasions Gwen was unable to shoot competitively in 2019 but continued to be supportive of those selected to represent the county, both senior and junior, offering encouragement and efficient and timely payment of expenses where appropriate.
At her own club she is an awesome provider of food and refreshments at competitions.
She is also involved in the delivery of Beginner courses welcoming new members and assisting them in their development.
Photo by Simon Slater
Andy Wilkinson
YAA Secretary
Colin Hope - 1 July 2021
Owing to the current situation with COVID-19, the Chantry committee have reluctantly decided to cancel the Crecy shoot this year.
Colin Hope
Chantry Bowmen
David Whitham - 10 June 2021
To all archers who paid for our cancelled shoot in March 2020, we hope to arrange a shoot on the 2nd of October 2021.
I have payments from 30 archers. If any one else would like to shoot, the cost is £5. We have not decided which round to shoot yet (pick & mix on the day, perhaps) but we have decided to have fun!
David Whitham
White Rose Archers
Colin Fairburn - 6 June 2021
The YAA asks for any club which is wishing to hold next year's YAA Field Archery Championships to contact the secretary by email on:
yaa.sec@googlemail.com.
Colin Fairburn
YAA Field Officer
David King - 28 May 2021
With sadness, Phoenix Bowmen must announce that Geoff Taylor passed away earlier this week.
Geoff was one of the founder members of the club, a long-time Treasurer and a club stalwart. For many years the club owed its existence to Geoff's leadership, especially through the middle part of the club's history.
Geoff was the very first recipient of the YAA's Yorkshire Award. He was an active archer well into his late eighties, and an exceptionally hard worker on behalf of the club.
Over the last few years he was the club's honorary President and up to the pandemic he regularly attended committee meetings, even though he didn't shoot so much because of ill health.
He will be missed by all who knew him - one of life's gentlemen.
David King
Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax
Shelley Hurst - 28 May 2021
It is with great disappointment that we have decided to postpone the Bronte double WA1440 tournament weekend until 2022. With the changes of regulations and short time frame we do not believe we could host the amazing tournament this year as we usually do.
We hope to welcome you all back in 2022 with our May bank holiday double York/Hereford/Bristols and of course in July 2022 with the double WA1440 weekend.
We are looking to host our very successful Yorkshire inter-club friendly tournament again in August this year, and will let you know the details shortly.
Until then, happy shooting!
Shelley Hurst
Secretary, Bronte Archers
Will Kempf - 30 April 2021
Planning approval for indoor shooting range
The committee of the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield and I are delighted to announce that we have received planning permission to build an indoor shooting range at our field in Meltham. It is expected to be complete by mid-summer all things being well.
As you know we have received a grant of £50,000 from Sport England for this project. Current estimated costs are just over £60,000 and the total will be met from club reserves and additional grants we have applied for - a sum of £1000 was awarded just the other day from the Hazel Charlesworth Fund.
The above budget will deliver a complete, secure, fully lit insulated building ready for shooting.
However, in order to fully kit out the indoor range we have started contacting local businesses asking for donations of key items such as carpeting, bosses/foam wall, heaters (ready for the winter), tables and chairs etc. If you feel you know a business we should approach, or indeed can support the kitting out in any way, please contact me by return email!
Having spoken with many of our project supporters over the past few months, I have been really impressed with the level of enthusiasm for this project and the excitement it has created for the future of our club.
More than this however, I have learned that a key part of the planning decision process at Kirklees Council involved taking account of all the supporting comments and testimonials we received from supporters.
A huge thank you to everyone who played their part by adding their voice.
I will try and keep you updated on how things are going as the construction progresses.
Keep safe, shoot well,
On behalf of the Executive Committee of the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield.
Will Kempf
Valley Bowmen
Nick Beeson - 18 April 2021
It is with a heavy heart that I have to pass on the news that Phyl Abbott has died this morning.
Along with Cedric, her late husband, she was the heart and spirit of our club for so many years when I joined.
She will be badly missed by her many archery friends. Our thoughts go out to Mike and Jackie, her children, and their families.
As I hear of any further arrangements, I shall pass these on. I can also pass on any messages.
Nick Beeson
Bowmen of Adel
Kath Fitzpatrick - 27 March 2021
It is with great sadness that I heard today that Dave Brunt of Chantry Bowmen passed away on February 14th at the age of 85.
Many YAA archers will remember Dave as a stalwart of the county's judges, a very good judge but always full of gentle humour - he was great fun to be around. He also enjoyed his longbow shooting and encouraged others to try it.
Mick and I spent many enjoyable times with Dave at shoots, D&DAA meetings and visiting him at home with his wife Joan, a fabulous cook.
I know although he hasn't been active in archery for a while he will still be missed by many.
Kath Fitzpatrick
Malcolm Dukes - 27 March 2021
The committee of Thirsk Bowmen have decided that owing to the current restrictions, the 720 and Head-To-Head will not be held this year.
This will be rolled over to 2022.
Malcolm Dukes
Thirsk Bowmen
Andrew Neal - 22 March 2021
Wetherby weekends
The YAA Committee have taken the following decisions regarding the two Wetherby Weekends it usually runs.
5 & 6 June 2021 - This weekend is cancelled
3 & 4 July 2021 - This is usually the YAA Metrics Weekend. For 2021 we will be re-scheduling the Lez Newsome Metric Day and the YAA County Championships to this date. Entry forms will be placed on the website in the coming weeks. The usual Metrics weekend is cancelled for 2021.
Northern Counties
The Grand Northern Archery Meeting will be held on the weekend of 24 & 25 July 2021 at Grange Park, Wetherby. The entry form will be placed on the website in the coming weeks.
Andrew Neal
YAA Tournaments Officer
Andrew Neal - 22 March 2021
The Selby Committee has taken the decision not to hold the Selby Open this year.
We feel the restrictions are too great to hold a viable and enjoyable tournament.
We hope to see our archery friends in 2022.
Andrew Neal
Selby Archery Club
Colin Fairburn - 20 March 2021
The YAA are interested in the members' views in relation to Field Archery. As such we are asking ALL shooting members to partake in a very short survey, irrespective of whether you have ever done field archery or not. The survey should take no longer than a minute or two. Thank you.
Survey Monkey: Field Archery
Colin Fairburn
YAA Field Officer
Will Kempf - 4 March 2021
The Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield Archery Club Secure £50,000 from Return to Play: Community Asset Fund
An archery club in West Yorkshire has secured Return to Play funding from Sport England's Community Asset fund.
Sport England have opened a £16.5m return to play fund to help people safely return to play as the coronavirus (Covid-19) crisis begins to ease.
The Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield will receive an award of £50,000 of Sport England funding which will pay for the provision of an indoor shooting range (8m x 25m) at the archery club, whose established archery field is located near Meltham, Holmfirth. The Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield archery club was founded in 1963, is affiliated to ArcheryGB and currently has over 130 members drawn from local communities.
Sport England's Investment Partner, Howard Thompson said "On behalf of Sport England, I wish you well in the current difficult circumstances and look forward to seeing how the award will help your organisation return to play."
The membership and executive committee of the Valley Bowmen are absolutely ecstatic about this award particularly as the club is no longer able to hire indoor shooting facilities due to changes brought about by the Covid-19 crisis.
Club Secretary, Paul McGuire, a former Huddersfield and District League footballer said: "All that is left to do now is to secure planning permission for the new range at the club field, although with the benefits this will bring by expanding the archery season and removing the need to travel away from the club during the winter, we are very hopeful that this will be granted soon."
Local MP, Jason McCartney, said: "Fantastic news! I am very pleased for you all. I look forward to seeing how this funding award will allow more people to take up archery in a safe, Covid compliant way. Once we are through the pandemic, I would be happy to visit to see the club again in person. Please keep me updated."
The improvement to the archery facilities at the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield is one of many ways Sport England are supporting clubs and organisations to return to play safely. The community asset fund makes awards of between £10,001 and £50,000 from a pot of £5m.
Many more communities can still benefit from the fund. You can find out more at:
Sport England Return to Play: Community Asset Fund
Will Kempf
President, Valley Bowmen
Will Kempf - 4 March 2021
You will see from the above story that Valley have been given £50k of public money from Sport England to build an indoor range at their field!
The club is holding its breath about planning permission as we are in the green belt and the initial response from the planners has not been positive...
However, as we have an established outdoor range (since 1974), a fully accessible welfare building and various storage containers already at the field we own we are pushing back for permission to further develop our archery facilities by adding an indoor range.
The planning application can be found here and we are asking folks to kindly leave supportive comments on the Kirklees site before consultation ends on March 9th.
Kirklees Council: planning application
Any comments people leave are confidential and will be very much appreciated, the more the better at this stage!
If you already have your own indoor range you will know how valuable this is to developing archers - we only ask for your support as we try and get this built at Valley.
Will Kempf
President, Valley Bowmen
Dave Hunt - 14 February 2021
The club have some very sad news today.
Ken Ward has sadly passed away after recent illness.
Ken was a big character at the club, but always had time for everyone, with plenty of tips for archery. Ken is well known around the Yorkshire area and I am sure you would all like to join us (the club) in sending condolences to his family. You will be greatly missed, Ken. RIP.
Dave Hunt
ABBA Club Coach
Gwen Smith - 2 February 2021
A memorial and fundraising page has been set up by Viv Oxley's family to enable her friends and family from accross the country to remember her and share those thoughts and memories. I am sure there are many in the archery community who have fond memories (and photos) to share. Please use the page as a lasting tribute to a very special lady who is greatly missed by all who had the honour of knowing her.
Any donations made through the page will go to Kidney Cancer UK in her name.
The link is:
Much Loved: Vivienne Oxley
Unfortunately due to the current pandemic restrictions numbers are limited at her funeral. A live stream event has now been set up for the service of Vivienne Oxley at Lichfield and District Crematorium on the 16th February at 10:30 AM.
The link is:
Funeral Video: Vivienne Oxley
The password is: OX2021
Guidance and help for watching live stream
The best devices to watch on are iPad, iPhone and Tablet.
A PC will work, but the browser settings and proxy settings, if not correct, can cause issues loading the stream.
You could reduce the likelihood of problems by turning off the auto-lock function on your device so it does not turn off during the service.
Gwen Smith
Barnsley Archery Club
Dearne Valley AC - 2 February 2021
We regret to announce that due to current circumstances with the lockdown and COVID-19, we won't be running our annual Easter Field Competition. This was not an easy decision by any means as you can imagine, we love running the shoot as much as you all love to shoot it! For now, everyone stay safe and we hope to see you later on in the year.
Dearne Valley Archery Club
Gwen Smith - 15 January 2021
Viv Oxley of Barnsley Archery Club passed away in the early hours of Friday 15th January 2021, with her family close.
As a keen competitive archer she was well known throughout the archery community and embodied the spirit of friendship and companionship on the shooting field. As an experienced and talented archer, representing Yorkshire on many occasions until her illness prevented her from shooting, she had a lot of wisdom to share and was very generous with her time and support.
Viv shot for a number of clubs, co-founding Greenman of Rotherham before joining Barnsley, and she always demonstrated the proud Yorkshire team spirit.
Many archers will have lasting memories of Viv as a great shooting companion - always smiling and a wicked sense of humour on and off the field.
She will be remembered as a strong yet gentle lady and will be greatly missed by so many. Sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Gwen Smith
Barnsley Archery Club
Andrew Neal - 1 January 2021
The Yorkshire Indoor Championships for 2021 is cancelled and will not take place in 2021. Trophy winners please keep hold of them and I will be in contact with you in the coming months.
I will however, if Tier restrictions allow it, hold a virtual indoor competition on the weekend of the 13th and 14th of March 2021. Details of this will be posted on the YAA Website and sent to Club Secretaries nearer the time.
This is also usually the time I release the entry forms for the YAA Outdoor shoots. Given the current position of the virus I will delay the publication of these to such a time as we know whether the shoots will take place or not. Fingers crossed that with the roll out of vaccines archery "may" be able to recommence in the summer months.
May I wish you all the very best for the coming year and hope 2021 is better than 2020!
Andrew Neal
YAA President and Target Tournament Organiser
Dave Hunt - 31 October 2020
With regret we are cancelling the Archers of Bridlington & Burton Agnes 2021 ABBA Dabba Do shoot.
This is due to COVID-19 and the restrictions which look as though they are going to be with us for a long time.
We hope to be running the shoot again in 2022.
Dave Hunt
Club coach
