A School Archery Festival is giving children the chance to shine by trying something new.
Every February for the last few years a band of enthusiastic volunteers from Ivanhoe Archers, based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire, have helped run an Archery Festival for local primary school children.
The North West Leicestershire School Sports Partnership provides sports coaches for local schools and also holds an amazing array of sporting events for the children. One of their most popular events is the annual Archery Festival, which is heavily oversubscribed every year. Last year it was attended by 13 schools with a total of 75 children aged 7-11.
The festival is aimed at children who are less interested in sport and who do not normally attend the NWLSSP events, including those with special needs, giving them the opportunity to try something different and realise that they too can enjoy a sport and shine at it.
Children take turns to try four different activities, including knocking plastic bottles full of water off a table and trying to repeatedly hit a ball to drive it over a line, while supported by Ivanhoe Archers members.
The activities are followed by a brief but very entertaining talk by one of the club's experienced and extremely knowledgeable members, who shows the children some of his extensive collection of bows and arrows.
Alison Barbour, Vice Chair of the club, said: "It could be described as 'organised chaos' with sucker arrows flying everywhere, but is such a lot of fun for the children and for Ivanhoe Archers."
Alison said members clear their work diaries in order to attend and display energy and enthusiasm, ensuring the children have a fantastic experience. "The excitement and the smiles on the children’s faces when they manage to hit the target is so gratifying for the volunteers," she added.
To find out more about Arrows, Archery GB's soft archery programme for primary schools, click the button below. Or use our club finder to contact a club near you and ask about arranging a have-a-go for your school.
