NORTHEAST TOWN—Steely-eyed concentration was the name of the game on the shooting line as Island youth took part in a National Archery in the Schools Program sanctioned tournament held at the NEMI Recreation Centre from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday, May 3.
“The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) is an engaging and educational initiative designed to bring archery into schools across North America,” noted NASP Provincial Coordinator Tim Watts following the medal presentations. The program’s mission, “is to provide students with a unique opportunity to develop new skills in a fun, safe and supportive environment.”
“I actually work for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters,” said Mr. Watts. “Part of my job is managing and organizing the NASP program. Our main focus is to ensure kids are taught how to do archery in a safe environment and we train the adults who then teach the kids. We have 225 active programs all over the province and, because we have done so well with recruiting new schools, now we’re able to run tournaments like we had here today.”
The NASP program has completed 12 tournaments this year, with the last on Manitoulin Island. “I have been on the road since March 19,” laughed Mr. Watts, “so I’ve literally gone for six-seven weeks, but it’s okay, I love it, becomes passion, I’ve been involved in archery for practically my whole life.”
Mr. Watts is uniquely qualified for his role, having been a 15-time national champion, a member of Team Canada, where he shot at the world championships and won a silver medal.
These days his competition is a bit more laid back. “Now, maybe it’s a little bit more about the Boston Pizza with my friends after the tournament,” he laughs. “I mean, I have competed in 750 tournaments all over the world. My friends Chris and Sean and everybody, we get together and we still like to compete, but we’re in the Masters category now—50 and over. You know, the bifocals crowd.”
Mr. Watts fondly recalls Manitoulin’s own archery maven, Jim Smith of Mindemoya. “Oh my gosh, Jim actually took a bunch of us kids as the Ontario team coach to the States to shoot the US championships,” he recalled. “I’ve known Jim 40 years.”
“I remember a bunch of the kids that were here, Sasha and Gordon, and I hope they’re still shooting,” he said. “Now, they’re my age like, but when he took us, we were in our late teens and went down as team Ontario.”
Archery is another outlet for youth, said Mr. Watts. “Floor hockey and baseball teams, it’s the kids that don’t necessarily make those teams—they love the archery. It doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short, right or left-handed. We saw that here today. Everybody can do it, short people, tall people. Everyone can fit in.”
The scores from this weekend’s competition will be entered into the provincial stats, with the top scorers across the province receiving certificates in the mail. In the meantime, the top scoring archers in the tournament at the NEMI Rec Centre received medals.
In the Girls’ Elementary Division, Nevaeh came away champion, with a total score of 20, while Charlotte Pelletier came in second place with a score of 15 and Braelyn Eshkawkogan came in third place with a score of 14.
In the Boys’ Elementary Division, Lorne Middaugh came away champion with a total score of 126, Jacob came in second place with a score of 76, Gunner Gaouette came in third place with a score of 74, Jayce came in fourth place with a score of 73, Braxton came in fifth place with a score of 68 and Liam Bowles came in sixth place with a score of 28.
In the Boys’ Middle School Division, it was Jessie Westwall who came away champion with a total score of 238, Elwood Nicholls came in second place with a score of 208, M’Koonhs Corbiere came in third place with a score of 149 and Josh Quin came in fourth with a score of 86.
In the Girls’ Middle School Division, Alex Wright was the champion and top of the lists with a total score of a whopping 243, while Kiley De Roche came in second with a score of 186.
