The rise and rise of Banbridge Archery Club after a very successful 2015

Banbridge Archery Club have enjoyed a very busy 15 months.
Banbridge Archery Club meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm at St Patricks College, Scarva Road, Banbridge.Banbridge Archery Club meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm at St Patricks College, Scarva Road, Banbridge.
Banbridge Archery Club meet on Wednesdays from 7 to 9pm at St Patricks College, Scarva Road, Banbridge.

That kicked off in September 2014 when they hosted a two day ‘Autumn Challenge’ FITA Field shoot in the beautiful grounds of Gilford Castle.

Fresh from the successes during 2014, BAC held two further weekend competitions; the ‘Castle Shoot’ in February and ‘Autumn Challenge’ shoot in September2015.

For that year’s Challenge, archers from both North and South of the country eagerly competed on the respected course for Great Britain and Ireland team places.

Fergus Frizzell, under 18 boys barebow, shoes off his trophy after winning prize for the most improved score over the two days at Banbridge Archery Clubs Autumn Challenge Trophy in September.Fergus Frizzell, under 18 boys barebow, shoes off his trophy after winning prize for the most improved score over the two days at Banbridge Archery Clubs Autumn Challenge Trophy in September.
Fergus Frizzell, under 18 boys barebow, shoes off his trophy after winning prize for the most improved score over the two days at Banbridge Archery Clubs Autumn Challenge Trophy in September.

In August 2015, Northern Ireland and BAC’s most successful ladies barebow archer Joanne Walker was selected to shoot for Great Britain at the European Field Archery Championships in Poland.

Individually, Joanne finished in 12th place and in the Ladies Team round, she finished a very respectable fourth. 

In addition to this, Joanne is now a Level One GB Coach, having achieved her qualification in October 2015. Joanne holds five Northern Ireland Field Archery records and a British Target record. 

Later in November and for the first time in Northern Ireland’s archery history, the club was awarded World Record status at their Gilford Castle venue for the 2015 NI 3d Animal Championships.

Titles currently held by Banbridge ACs Joanne Walker are: All Ireland Field Champion, NIAS Field Champion, NIAS Combined Target and Field Champion .Titles currently held by Banbridge ACs Joanne Walker are: All Ireland Field Champion, NIAS Field Champion, NIAS Combined Target and Field Champion .
Titles currently held by Banbridge ACs Joanne Walker are: All Ireland Field Champion, NIAS Field Champion, NIAS Combined Target and Field Champion .

Due to the hard work involved, the Championship was very well received and was reported to be the highlight of the year for traditional archers in Ireland.   

B.A.C is a small and friendly Senior and Junior club and the 2015 season has seen a number of juniors improve over the year.

And to cap it all off, just this month, the Banbridge Archery  Club Chairman Andrew Walker passed his Level Archery GB Judging qualification.

For information on the club’s Archery GB recognised beginners courses, contact Secretary Lisa McConnell at [email protected] or Coach Joanne Walker at [email protected].

The Banbridge Archery Club sessions take place on Wednesdays from 7-9pm at St. Patrick’s College, Scarva Road, Banbridge.

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