麻豆社区

The first Indoor Archery Championship in Whitehorse last weekend saw a spike in popularity, and had organizers pointing to a recent blockbuster book series and film as a key reason.

The Hunger Games 鈥� featuring young archer Katniss Everdeen as the story's heroine 鈥� has provided a major boost to archery across the country, said Gael Marchand, executive director of the Yukon Aboriginal Sport Circle.

"Archery is really booming lately,鈥� he told the Star. "Most of the programs are full for the kids and teenagers since the Hunger Games. It's everywhere across Canada. All the archery clubs are full. We're still responding to the demand.鈥�

For the last five years, the local Aboriginal Sport Circle was serving as the acting sport governing body for archery.

This year, they became the official governing body for the Yukon under the banner of Archery Canada.

"We're trying to develop more of the Archery Canada program in terms of competition and coaching expectation,鈥� Marchand said. "Archery is an Olympic sport, and mostly it's target archery. There were very few target archery events, and that's why we put this indoor championship together.鈥�

The inaugural archery championship was held in the gymnasium at Takhini Elementary School May 4 and 5.

It was staged as an introductory tournament for archers of all ages to experience friendly archery competition, said Marchand.

Thirty archers attended the event, "not too bad鈥� a number for the first-ever championship, said Marchand.

"It was 50/50, with 15 youth under-18 and 15 adults,鈥� he explained. "We had good participation from Teslin, with six people attending.鈥�

Dawson City is in the midst of starting a club, with hopes of competing in these types of events in the future.

Archers competed in several events, ranging from indoor 3D targets, 300 rounds and match play.

The event gave new archers, especially in the novice category, a good taste of what type of competition is available.

"That's why we put this event together, so people can experience the different competition,鈥� Marchand said. "We'll run it every year, an indoor championship.鈥�

The Aboriginal Sport Circle is also thinking ahead to the 2015 Canada Winter Games, where they would like to send a team from the Yukon.

Yukon archers are typically 3D archers, said Marchand, and this summer the territory is aiming to host a championship for that category.

While beginners were welcome, archers were required to bring their own equipment.

Overall Results

Pre-Cub/Bare Bow: 1st Levi Stoneman (656 points); 2nd Thatcher Daniels (352); 3rd Kate Hannah (312).

Cub/Bare Bow: 1st Destiny Taylor (660); 2nd Julian Jules (471); 3rd Jake Draper (403).

Compound: 1st Tony Park (795) senior; 2nd Elias Park (780) junior; 3rd Darryl Camm (450) senior.

Bare Bow: 1st Josh Penton (382) senior; 2nd Sam Johnson (329) master; 3rd Ty Daniels (215) senior.

Senior Girls: 1st Claire Kiemele (413); 2nd Tara Wardle (237); 3rd Baylee Howard (130).