Archery UK Winter 2001 Guernsey Tournament The Woolwich Guernsey International Tournament will be held on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September 2002 and will be the first Open FITA competition ever staged in the island. "We are very fortunate to have such supportive sponsors in Woolwich Guernsey and with their help are confident that we can stage a well organised and, above all, enjoyable tournament for everyone involved," said Mr Yates.  An application has been submitted for Star Status for a Double FITA round and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places for ladies and gentlemen in both compound and recurve, with a team competition involving teams of three compound and three recurve archers. There will also be distance awards and hidden score prizes. The Bowmen of Guernsey have been delighted with the early response to their plans to hold an international tournament in the Channel Islands next year. "We mooted the possibility in an article in the Summer issue of Archery UK and also mentioned it to other competitors at the NatWest Island Games in the Isle of Man in July," said club secretary Steve Yates. "Since we've had so many enquiries that we have been encouraged to go ahead and finalise the planning of the event." The entry fees are £ 10 per single day and £ 15 for both days. Hot and cold food will be available all day, together with the clubhouse bar - after shooting has ceased! Further details are available on the club's website: www.bowmenofguemsey.org.gg while entry forms are available from Steve Yates,Sunray, Monument Gardens, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GYI IUL. Tel. 01481 725725.  Issued by Nell Robilliard, Orchard PR, Tel. 01481 240600.

Bowmen of Guernsey Benefit from Local Bank Archery with The Woolwich THE Bowmen of Guernsey are to benefit from the support of one of the island's leading banks. Woolwich Guernsey has agreed a three-year sponsorship deal, which will encompass all indoor and outdoor, domestic and international competitions, as well as "have a go" sessions for school children, youth organisations and corporate groups. "The main reason for seeking sponsorship was that we are hoping to stage a major international tournament in the island next year," said club president, Toni Robilliard. "We are grateful that Woolwich Guernsey has agreed to help us with the cost of this event and all of our other activities during the next three years." One of the main reasons for Woolwich Guernsey deciding to support Guernsey archery is the bank's desire to give something back to a community that has enabled it to thrive during its 10 years in the island. "We looked at various sports and were particularly impressed with the set-up and ambitions of the Bowmen of Guernsey," said Woolwich Guernsey managing director, Stephen Jones. "As well as trying to attract international competition to the island and bringing over qualified coaches to improve their own standards, the Guernsey archers are going into schools to encourage youngsters to get involved in the sport." Giving children the opportunity to take part in archery is not simply a matter of trying to recruit new members though, as the sport is a recognised method of assessing co-ordination difficulties in youngsters and has also uncovered symptoms of dyslexia. "In terms of medals per head, the archery squad was the most successful of all the Guernsey sports at the last NatWest Island Games," said Mr Robilliard. "We are confident that Woolwich Guernsey's support will enable us to win even more medals at the Isle of Man Games this year and the Guernsey Games in 2003." "I had a go" by Elaine Purdy, marketing manager, Woolwich Guernsey "Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! The nearest I'd ever got to Archers before was listening to them on Radio Four! Woolwich Guernsey has agreed a three year sponsorship deal with the Bowmen of Guernsey part of which involves supporting 'have a go' sessions for school, scouts, guides and other youth organisations. It was all set up for our managing director to participate in the first of these sessions for youngsters - in front of the assembled press, radio and TV cameras - when he was called away on business! And guess who had to deputise for him? I am not at all sporty and so was a little apprehensive about having a go, but at least I didn't have that feeling of 'letting the side down' - because it was just me and the target, with no team-mates to decry my efforts! My tutor. Paula Rowland, is one of the island's most successful archers, having not only won a silver medal for Guernsey at each of the last two NatWest Island Games but has also represented Hampshire in several UK competitions. Paula kitted me out with protective wear - a chest guard and forearm guard - and then ran through the safety equipment, scoring, holding the bow. inserting the arrow positioning the feet, chin, fingers and elbow - so much to remember before you even think about trying to hit the target! And how did I fare? Well, my first arrow hit the white and my second the blue - so I was filled with a great sense of achievement as I appeared to be steadily working my way towards the bullseye. However, the third arrow met the target out side the white and subsequent efforts ranged between white and blue. I think there was one red but overall I probably proved that I would be better cast as Maid Marion than Robin Hood!" But Elaine's tutor disagrees. "For her first time I thought Elaine did very well," said Paula Rowland. "She listened to my advice, followed most of it and produced some very respectable shots. We will be holding a beginners' course in the near future and I think if Elaine came along she could develop into quite a useful archer." Issued by Nell Robilliard, Orchard PR, Tel. 01481 240600.

Major tournament in Guernsey in 2002 The Bowmen of Guernsey are planning a major event in the island next year. The Woolwich Guernsey International Tournament is scheduled to take place in September 2002, with the organisers hoping for entries from the UK and Europe. "Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, Woolwich Guernsey, we have been able to purchase the equipment and facilities required to stage a major competition here," said club president Toni Robilliard. "The NatWest Island Games is being held in Guernsey in July 2003 and so our tournament will give islanders an early taste of the high standard of archery they will be able to see then." Mr Robilliard announced the intention to hold the international competition at the club's recent annual dinner and presentation evening, where notable achievements during the winter season were acknowledged and rewarded. Woolwich Guernsey's marketing manager, Elaine Purdy, was on hand to present the trophies and to reaffirm her company's support for the Bowmen of Guernsey over the next three years. "We want to give something back to the community that has enabled our business to flourish during the past 10 years," Mrs Purdy told club members. "We chose you because you are not only trying to improve your own equipment, facilities and abilities, but you are also going into schools and encouraging youngsters to get involved in your sport." Issued by Nell Robilliard, Orchard PR, Tel. 01481 240600.

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