Busy month ahead for archers

Preparations have start for the Northern Ireland Indoor championships. Ballyvally will be hosting the Junior Champs in Banbridge Leisure Centre on Sunday February 7 while the seniors will be preparing for the Senior Championships in Jordanstown University Campus on Saturday February 6.

The club has organised a tournament on Sunday January 17 to prepare both junior and senior members for the real thing. All archers will shoot a Portsmouth round and then there will be an elimination round in the afternoon.

The next weekend, on January 22-23, Ballyvally will host the first Record Status outdoor FITA at Loughbrickland. this will also be a qualifying shoot for the British team for the World Championships in Hungary in July 2010.

Then Ballyvally's Annual Club Presentation Night will take place on Friday February 5 in the Belmont Hotel. At this night all the Archery Qualification Badges, league winners will be presented with their awards for achievement in 2009.

It’s quite a busy month for the club organisers and the club members. Trip organiser Deidre Shannon will also be finalising the number of club archers who will be going to shoot in the Norwegian Champs in June this year and the junior committee will be planning to raise more funds to take the juniors away to tournaments across the water.

Anyone wishing to have-a-go with a bow in 2010 and possibly even thinking of taking up a very ancient sport will be very welcome.

Ballyvally accommodates beginners of all ages. The club's youngest members are four years of age. Archery is very much a sport for all the family and families are particularly welcome. Phone club coach Frank Mulligan on 028 406 23748 for information.