NEWBERRY — Newberry High School students will soon have the opportunity to put their skills to the test with the development of a new archery team.
It was through parent interest and inquiries from incoming freshman who were interested in an archery team that got the ball rolling for the program.
“Newberry High School is the only school that did not have an archery program in the County and we had a lot of freshman coming up from middle school that wanted to continue, but we weren’t able to provide that service,” said Instructor Colonel Larry Heisler.
After conducting a survey last year, about 18 students showed interest in having an archery team. A survey was also done this year and there are currently eight students committed and several more interested, according to Heisler.
Heisler began contacting the Department of Natural Resources who supports a school archery program and with a qualified instructor they will issue around 12 bows, arrows and targets, everything that’s needed for setting up an archery range and team.
“That started last spring and we got notification early this fall that the money had been received and we are one of the few in the state who are going to get a new set,” he said.
Heisler is hoping that the team can get to work late winter or early spring, but said the main goal is to develop interest in the team.
“There are several competitions that can be held between schools within the state, they have a State Competition at Myrtle Beach, then there’s a national one if they qualify at Nashville. We may be at the very end of that competition cycle so we may not be able to put a full team together and qualify for State or Regions this year, it’s a program in development. The main goal is to start the interest this year and develop the team,” Heisler said.
Heisler added that archery is something anyone can do no matter their athletic ability.
“We have the talent, it’s just a matter of developing the interest in the school and in high school you have to compete with the other sports, football, basketball, wrestling, track, cheerleading, soccer, etc. Archery is one of those sports available for every student, every student can compete in archery, there are no limitations and it is one program nationally that has not had one injury from practice or competition,” he said. “Archery is one of the, I think, fastest growing sports in the high school arena just for the simple fact it is something everybody is capable of doing, there is no physical limitation on who can shoot.”
The program will be ran under the JROTC program and the NASP (National Archery in Schools Program), the program is open for any student to join.
Students are encouraged to reach out to Heisler at NHS to learn more about the program.
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