Shooting their way up the ladder
Eighteen archers from the Archery Hearts club recently achieved their provincial and national colours when they competed at the African Bowhunting Organisation (ABO) nationals.
Eighteen archers from the Archery Hearts Club recently achieved their provincial and national colours when they competed at the African Bowhunting Organisation (ABO) nationals.
The two-day event took place at Gabatta Lodge in Pretoria and 30 of the club’s members competed in various archery categories. At the end of the day the club took home 15 podium positions.
Melissa Maritz from the club explained that classes are allocated according to the equipment being used, your gender and your age.
Pierre van der Heever won silver, Melissa Maritz won bronze, the Archery Hearts team won bronze, the Archery Hearts school team won silver , Ardene de Jager won gold, Johann Maritz won silver, Louise Mattysen won silver, Sadiq Munchi won bronze and Wouter Holmes won gold.-
The accredited competitions you take part in through the year gets you points and those points are then added to determine if you get your provincial or national colours.
The club also sponsored an Iron Pig as a fun shoot. Archers started at one point and then had to take 10 steps back and shoot again. They fell out as they went and the last standing winner was also a member of the club. Jan Heroldt took home the prize money for the Iron Pig.
The club invites anyone who is interested to come and have a look at their practice range and ask any questions they may have. Johann Maritz explained that for many years there have not been archery competitions hosted in the West Rand but their club wants to put archery in the West Rand back on the map.
There is already one confirmed competition that will be hosted in the West Rand in 2023 and he and his wife Melissa have taken the test to become judges and are trying to plan more competitions this side.
Johann also said that in 2025 the World Games will be hosted by Potchefstroom in the North West so that is something their members can work towards. Their youngest club member is only 15 years old and the oldest is 72 years, so anyone is welcome. Melissa also explained that this is a sport that the whole family can take part in. At their club they will help and guide you with not only the right techniques but also what gear you will need.
If you are interested in joining them you can contact Johann Maritz on 082 494 7556 or Petrus Nieuwenhuizen on 083 260 8078, you can also visit their Facebook page at Archery Hearts.
