Two new landmarks in a big week for Ballyvally AC

Ballyvally Archery Club has just reached two landmarks.
It was a landmark week for Ballyvally.It was a landmark week for Ballyvally.
It was a landmark week for Ballyvally.

third generation debut

The first came at the club’s annual Hunting Trail when three generations of the Mulligan family were present with the arrival of young Charlie Mulligan with his bow and quiver of arrows.

Charlie is just four and is one of the youngest members of the club. He scored 42 and was taken around the course by his father and former GB and World Campion, Peter.

Charlie has a lot to live up to as Peter won his first world gold in Austria in 1998 followed by another gold in Croatia and a silver in Slovenia in the European Champs. Grandfather Frank was also NI Field barebow champion in the 1980s and his aunt Edel was World and European champion in girls Barebow.

40 YEARS of FIELD ARCHERY;

The second landmark is the club celebrating 40 years of field archery.

They’ve shot mostly in the grounds of Loughbrickland House due to the generosity of Dr Jean Whyte whose support has led to many of the club’s junior and senior archers qualifying to shoot at International level for GB or the Republic of Ireland.

The club will be issuing a special calendar for 2016 with many old photographs from over the years 1976-2016.

BEGINNER SESSIONS

Ballyvally will be starting beginner sessions when the club moves indoors to Banbridge Leisure Centre at the beginning of September.

There will be eight sessions to pick from. There will be three sessions each wednesday with two in the afternoon and one starting at 6pm.

On Thursday, there will be five sessions starting at 3.30pm. The last session will be at 9pm.

All equipment will be supplied by the club and all styles will be taught apart from crossbow. The age range is from from years upwards. The club’s oldest member is 90 and they have many families shooting. For more details contact club coach Frank Mulligan on 028 406 23748.