80 pupils, representing 16 schools, competed in the 2013 Gloucestershire Level 3 Archery Finals at Hartpury College on what turned out to be a blustery but importantly dry day in June and the results were not settled until the last arrow of the day!
One of the 4 details shooting
The team event saw last year’s winners and favorites to retain the title Balcarras eliminated at the semi-final stage by Cleeve School who had only qualified from the Level 2 district games as ‘best losers’.
Cleeve School finished second
Cleeve came so close to winning it in a closely fought final, decided by just a couple of points having led for most of the match!
The day belonged and deservedly so, to Archway School who finished bottom in last year’s competition and this was confirmation of all the hard work they had put into preparing for this competition! They had even gained sponsorship for the kit!
Archway, their kit says it all!
Balcarras redeemed themselves in the Bronze Medal match by recording the highest score for a single rotation and securing third place.
Another medal for the Balcarras after-school club.
Tom Howse (GB Squad Junior Archer) presented the medals to the 3 teams.
The top 3 teams from the Gloucestershire County School Games Finals
The individual events were also very closely fought, especially the compound, just one point covered the first 3 positions, with James House winning for Chosen Hill, just one point ahead of James Lawton representing St Edwards and Lucy Mason representing Bournside, who lost on fewer 10’s. Worthy of a mention was 4th placed Connie Healey representing Ribston Hall, she has only been shooting a few months and came close to winning a medal!
Top 3 Compounds but 1 point covered all 3 archers!
The recurve event was won by Tom Howse ahead of Liza Hadley both representing Chosen Hill and Chloe Tucker representing Milbrook Academy.
The Field Captain Roles were very well performed by Jake and Matt and they were very deservedly presented with medals to recognize their contribution to a great day.
One of the successes of the 2013 programme was the training of pupils to be Field Captains!
The qualification morning round followed by the elimination competition worked exceptionally well and kept all the teams involved right up until the end.
Volunteers to help with scoring, range setting up etc was a key part of the success.
Deer Park Archers, Xperience Archery and Active Gloucestershire have created a very special event and all parties should be congratulated! The process began a year ago, with after school clubs across the county, then the Level 2 District competitions with so many teams competing and culminating in the finals day. It is a shame that the Regional or National finals are not in place Archway certainly deserved to be continuing their ‘Awesome’ adventure!
The final words must go to Archway, their team, parents, supporters and teachers, well done the were truly ‘Awesome’.
