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WPAA Will Announce 2nd Phase of Archery Programme

The Continental Games and National Championships will be used by the Western Province Archery Association as a platform to announce the second phase of its archery development programme. The idea behind the program is to give underprivileged young the opporonitiy to become role models for other young children by improving their individual skills, and also to promote ideals of sportsmanship, ethics and fair play, According to Selwyn Moskovits, secretary of the WPAA.

"When the Western Province Archery Association wanted to expand its development programme, it asked FITA, the world archery governing body for help. Help came in the format of a comprehensive long-term sustainable program designed to introduce the beginner to the sport and to provide a growth path towards tournament level?, he added. Called the Feathers and Arrows program, it consists of ten different stages, each working at the archers own level. From the most basic red arrow award through the advanced golden feather award, the program is designed to teach beginners how to become champions.

According to Richard Baufeldt, the provincial coach, ?More than 100 beginner archers are involved in the development programme. The program standard and success is so high that it would not surprise me if one of the participants were to come back home with a medal from the Olympics in a few years?. The first nine graduates who have been in training for the past six months are to be awarded their first-stage achievements on Saturday 15 April at the Protea Sports Club in Retreat.Even though it is an internationally recognized achievement award, this is the first time that the award will be presented in Africa, once again making South Africa leaders in actively developing the sport.