PHOTOS:
Fort Archers line up for a photo shoot
Seren Holliday gets in the mood for shooting some arrows!
This year Fort Archers were given sponsorship money by LM Griffiths and Co of Haverfordwest and Steve Lloyd Timber, Newcastle Emlyn and are the only team in Wales to give their archers new shirts every year, by dint of securing sponsorship, something which is no mean feat these days.
Seren’s a six year old star
Their youngest team member, Seren Holliday, is six years old and has been an archer for under a year. They accepted her in their club in Fishguard on the proviso her parents were with her and she was able to follow the safety rules. Her grandfather is a useful archer himself as he joined too, but Seren is wowing everyone at the club.
When club coach Alan Richardson took her through the beginner’s course he was initially at a loss about what to do because the shortest and lightest bow still touched the floor when she held it...so he put her on an aerobics step and all was well! At first the cute factor over shadowed any archery skills members might have seen but now they see genuinely good archer.
Two Dyfed records already
She is obviously a bright little girl and very confident but with two Dyfed records already under her belt we are all encouraging her to keep shooting and other members are enjoying spending their Sunday shooting sessions with her in Fort Archers. She turned up rain or shine throughout the outdoor season and competed in high winds a few weeks ago in our last outdoor competition – and she never batted an eyelid. I think she must be the youngest archer in Wales at present.
A very inclusive club
Fort Archers pride themselves on being a very inclusive club, with the oldest member approaching 80 and all the equipment is initially provided and readily available until new members feel they would like to invest in new kit of their own. Members are also encouraged to choose their own bow, which range from the traditional long bow, without any accessories, through to very complex modern bows with all the sights and other aids to accuracy.
They will be holding a beginners’ archery weekend on November 2nd and 3rd at Fishguard leisure centre. For more information contact sianrichardson@mac.com or go the www.fort-archers.co.uk