Scholastic 3-D Archery: A Next Step in Kentucky
OutdoorHub 01.23.13
Organizers of Scholastic 3-D Archery have launched an effort in the state of Kentucky to form a new youth archery program to complement existing youth shooting programs such as the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and those offered by NFAA and other groups.
The effort is being led by executive director Jennie Richardson, with a Board of Directors comprised of Ches Riddle, Mark Whitt, Fred Pape, Gary Coffey, Lorretta Sinclare and Mike Tyrell.
Participation in the sport of archery has been on the rise the past several years, with millions of students participating in some form of the sport, whether it be the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), bow hunting, or field archery. We have seen an opportunity to expand the sport and open doors for young archers to shoot a different style of archery and be prepared to advance to the collegiate and potentially, the Olympic level. Scholastic 3-D Archery is a next step program designed to engage students who are looking to develop their skills further and to give those who are interested in archery an opportunity to experience a different discipline within the sport.
The Scholastic Archery Association will host regional, state, and national championships, but schools will be able to compete in local competitions as well. Our regional coordinators are asking local archery clubs to come aboard and assist in hosting 3-D tournaments throughout the season in their regions. Archers will shoot a series of twenty 3-D targets in small groups. Teams are allowed an unlimited amount of archers and all archers will be able to shoot at the competition. Although the primary focus of the program is to promote character development, individual growth, team-building concepts, and a consistent positive attitude, the opportunity to achieve both individual and team awards is always present. Team scores will consist of the scores from the top six archers and individuals, regardless of gender. The style of shooting that will take place at these competitions is extremely similar to that of the U.S. Collegiate Archery Association. This allows students to make an easier transition from high school archery to the collegiate level, where there is an ever growing level of participation and scholarship opportunities for graduating high school seniors from across the state and country.
Scholastic 3-D Archery is partnering with local archery shops to provide a unique archery experience to archers in our schools. Coaches and instructors will be provided an equipment list that details the brands of bows, arrows, stabilizes, releases, sights, and targets that we have teamed up with. However, students are strongly encouraged to purchase equipment from the company of their choosing. We encourage the schools to team up with the local archery shops so that students will have a variety of choices within their hometown. This is an important element of our program because it is our desire that ALL archers, schools, educators, and archery companies to be actively involved in the local school, its students, and the Scholastic 3-D Archery program.
Coaches and instructors will be provided training by the regional coordinator from their respective region. The coordinators will supply volunteers with a hand-book that details things such as: equipment, range set-up, training devices, descriptions of proper form, safety precautions, coaching positions, student-led exercises, skills games, and equipment inspection and repair. All Scholastic 3-D Archery coaches must go through the Scholastic 3-D Archery Basic Instructor Training that has been specifically designed for this next step program. There is an 80 dollar fee for approximately an 8-hour course. Coaches will also be provided at least 20 detailed lesson plans to be used with the after school archery programs with additional lesson plans available on our website www.scholastic3Darchery.com
The lesson plans will cover all major aspects of proper archery instruction and athlete development, ranging from an equipment overview to strength training for archers, and all points in between.
The vision of the Scholastic Archery Association is to establish after school youth and high school 3D archery programs as an integral part of the schools in the US. We are excited to expand the archery experience for students already competing in schools and to welcome those who are starting anew with Scholastic 3-D. Nothing is more important to us than your student’s safety and happiness in the program. We look forward to working with you and your team. If you would like more information on how to become a part of our Scholastic Archery Association in Kentucky feel free to contact your KY regional coordinator, for other states contact our Executive Director, Jennie Richardson.
