Twelve-year-old Zoe shoots British record

The championships were shot at New Forge on the Malone Road, Belfast because the Boucher Road venue had been ruined by the 30,000 fans who went to a rock concert a few weeks before.

Zoe, who has just turned 12, shoots barebow, and in the sunshine of the weekend was rarely out of the middle red and gold scoring zones.

Altogether Ballyvally did very well with over 20 gold medal winners and many N.I. Archery champions!

FIFTY-THREE NEW ARCHERS - Such had been the impact of the TV coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics that Ballyvally club were almost overwhelmed by 53 new archers who came along on the two club nights last week on Wednesday and Thursday to have a go at a new - but ancient - sport.

They represented all ages groups with the youngest being five years, right up through teenagers and families!

One complete family of five came along and really enjoyed the experience.

Ballyvally will continue to welcome new potential Olympic archers at the club’s Wednesday afternoon and night sessions as well as the sessions on Thursday afternoon and Thursday night.

More details can be obtained by ringing club coach Frank Mulligan on 028 406 23748 or on email [email protected].

HUNTING TRAIL AT CASTLEWELLAN FOREST PARK - Ballyvally will be organising something completely different for next weekend at Castlewellan Forest park.

The club’s annual hunting trail using American 3D animals always arouses lots of interest.

Archers have not only to negotiate the wood and the slopes in the forest, they also have to search for the targets!

Did you know that the first Paralympics took place at Stoke Mandeville in 1948 when the Olympics were in London and that the first sport was archery.

Sharon Vennard from City of Belfast archers got to the last 16 and the last eight but did not make the last four.