Kimberley gears up for a ‘bullseye bonanza’
GET READY, Kimberley! The Africa Genesis Archery Northern Cape (AGA-NC) is aiming high and gearing up to host the biggest archery event in South Africa, the AGA-SA National Tournament, set to take place from September 22nd to 26th.
With over a thousand archers of all ages and backgrounds expected to descend upon the Diamond City, this tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle.
Dawid de Greeff, the co-ordinator of AGA-NC, highlighted the significance of this event, calling it a once-in-five-years opportunity for Northern Cape archers to showcase their skills on home turf.
This massive competition provides local archers with a chance to compete on a grand scale, and De Greeff believes it will help grow the sport within the community.
But it's not just about the competition. The influx of archers, their families, and supporters is expected to bring a significant economic boost to Kimberley. De Greeff, who also serves as the secretary of the Africa Genesis Archery Federation, emphasised the positive impact of archery on both physical and mental well-being.
The vision of AGA-SA and AGA-NC is to foster the growth of archery locally and globally.
As part of their efforts, De Greeff, along with the Northern Cape co-ordinating committee, aims to equip local club and school organisers, coaches, and range officials. Additionally, the focus for this year includes establishing new clubs across the Province, further spreading the archery fever.
To prepare for the National Tournament, AGA-NC has scheduled competition management and basic archery instructor training on January 27 and February 3. The Adventure Archery Club in Kimberley will kick off the season with the first Bull’s Eye and 3D competition on February 10.
Several clubs, including Adventure Archery Club, Du Toitspan Primary, and Vooruitsig Primary School, have already lined up at least two competitions per month, showcasing the growing popularity of archery in the Northern Cape.
Over the past two years, AGA-NC has witnessed a remarkable improvement in the standard of archery in the region. Kimberley boasts three top archers - Fathima Mustapha, Òtniël van Wyk, and Karin Bester - who will represent South Africa as part of the AGA-SA Development and Senior teams at the Africa Genesis Archery Federation Tournament in Namibia this August.
Looking ahead, De Greeff, who has been appointed assistant coach of the AGA-SA National Development Team, expressed confidence in the well-rested
Northern Cape archers. As they gear up for the new season, AGA-NC extends their best wishes to all clubs and archers, hoping that their arrows fly true.
In a special call to Northern Cape schools, AGA-NC is inviting them to consider archery as a sport. De Greeff is open to demonstrating the sport at schools, encouraging more youngsters to take up this exciting and challenging discipline.
The AGA-NC also seeks support from potential sponsors for hosting the AGA-SA National Tournament in September and backing the four national archers participating in Namibia in August.
For those seeking more information or looking to support this archery extravaganza, they can contact De Greeff via email at nc@agarchery.co.za or on 073 030 2909.