Launch of Archery GB National Series....

16th May 2009, 21:48

British archery takes an exciting step into the future this weekend, with the launch of the Archery GB National Series. (from Archery GB)



It all gets underway at Evesham Archery Club in Worcestershire this Sunday, with the first of five tournaments in which archers from all over the country will compete to qualify for The Grand Final later in the year. And for the first time in Great Britain, there will be prize money for the overall winners.



The new competition is based on the successful FITA World Cup format, with the idea to elevate the standards of British archery, and give the international squad members, including the Paralympians, more experience of top class competition, but on home turf.



“We’re moving archery up to where it needs to be heading in the modern era,” said AGBNS organiser Jon Nott, who came up with the original idea for a domestic series in this country.



“You only have to look at the performances of the top archers at the World Cup to see how that competition has elevated standards to a new high since it was launched by FITA in 2006.



“So what I believe is that by launching a domestic tournament, we can help raise the standards of British archers, which will hopefully make us even more competitive at the World Cup events – though it has to be said, we don’t do badly anyway.



“But for the elite archers such as Alison (Williamson), Naomi (Folkard), Simon (Terry), Nichola (Simpson) and Chris (White) for example, this is a wonderful opportunity for them to take part in serious competition, with big incentives to win, and at home in this country, rather than having to go abroad.



“But it will also be a fantastic opportunity for the up and coming, aspiring and ambitious archers to make a name for themselves – those on the fringes of the international squad, and those who have the desire, and want to get noticed by our Head Coach, Peter Suk.”



The response from archers all over the country has been extremely enthusiastic, and over 200 people will be descending on Evesham on Sunday for the first event of the Series. This tournament will be followed by four more - at Lilleshall (June 27th/28th and September 26th/27th), Bronte (July 11th/12th) and Exmouth (August 21st/22nd).



And the response of sponsors has been equally enthusiastic. Easton and Mathews are the two primary supporters, but Hoyt, Merlin, W&W and TargetTech are giving their financial backing to the event too. Said Jon: "I can't thank our sponsors enough, but they were all really up for it, they liked the idea of the event, and they liked the idea of moving archery forward in the way we're doing."



The Grand Final will take place at Lilleshall on October 4, and to qualify for that, competitiors will be awarded points corresponding to their finishing positions in the five qualifying tournaments. An archer needs to enter a minimum of three National Series tournaments - and the three best positions will be totalled in order to give a 2009 National Series ranking, from which the top four in each category will be invited to the Grand Final.