Archery on development pathway in the territory

By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway

Since late last year, Patrick Smith, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College technology department guru and his University of the West Indies counterpart David Foster, have been garnering interest in the sport of Archery.

Following a series of meetings with students and others interested in the sport, more than 60 have shown interest. An area at the college was identified as a suitable place for target set up and now on Saturdays, interested persons are now ‘pulling it back and letting it fly’ based on the theme they have developed.

“It has been going good so far. It’s growing slowly but surely and we are getting more and more numbers every Saturday,” Smith noted. “We have over 60 on our mailing list so far, so we are looking good. We meet between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. after people have completed their morning chores.”

As a start up sport, Smith explained that most of the equipment they use is personal equipment. Foster ordered a few spears for general use and he has his own personal bows and more have been ordered. The styrofoam for holding the targets have been donated by Tradewinds Shipping. “The targets are pretty expensive, so we are trying to get the club together now to get funds, so we can get better and proper equipment,” Smith said. “We are working on getting established as a non profit organization. But, I’m very much encouraged by what I’m seeing. People get an email, they tell a friend and they bring a friend, that’s how it’s spreading so far.”

Bentley Roach who built the target stands, got his three children involved. “I asked them if they were interested and they said yes, and came out for the first time today,” he said although he had never engaged in the sport before.

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