Merry Christmas To All.

Last week end saw us in disarray, with some archers venturing down to Taree for their Christmas Shoot, some having a shot at the range and most must have been getting over some socializing I suspect. Who can blame them; it’s the time of year.
The away shooters, Glenn freeman and Cec Apps, came home from the Manning Bowman with Glenn taking a third and Cec a forth position in the Free style Unlimited class. While at Tamban, only 2 dedicated members took to the Goanna Range for a quick fire round, it only took an hour to shoot the 20 targets; they both shot Personal Best’s. Gary Ward shot a 360 out of 400 and Neil Ussher had a 380 from 400 points. A pity there weren’t more people around to witness both these good scores.
This week was a great ending to a great year for the Macleay Valley Archers. 21 archers turned out for our last shoot for the year, being a two arrow, both score, round on the Goanna Range. The scores were;
Men – Shane Fuit 782, Alastair Smedley 782, Cec Apps 762, Eddie Clebshe 758, Bruce Crumpton 756, Glenn Freeman 752, Brett Hodgeman 742, Matt Gray 706, Darrin Simmonds 676, Neil Ussher 672,
Ladies – No Ladies this week
Juniors Boys – Dion Ussher 778, Martin Ussher 754, Tim Hodgeman 654, Gene Shea 636, Jack Powick 570, Sam Harwood 476, Jacob Fuit DNF (gear failure).
After the round the scores were tabulated and the club champions were announced. By using the average of the best 7 scores over the year to show who was the best, we came up with the Senior Club Champion going to Shane Fuit, second place to Brett Hodgeman, third to Alastair Smedley and forth to Cec Apps. Junior Club Champion stayed in the family by going to Jacob Fuit with Dion Ussher getting second place, third went to Marty Ussher and fourth to Tim Hodgeman. Well done guys!
It was then down to business with a club meeting, were it was resolved to hold the reelection of the new committee until May 2010 to align with our parent body, the ABA. With the meeting out of the way we all enjoyed a hearty BBQ and a few refreshments. There were many a tall tail told that night.
There are few dates to put on your calendar for 2010; January 9th is a working bee to make some more backing butts. Our first Club shoot will be the first Saturday in February 2010 and we will be hosting an ABA 3D shoot on the 20th, 21st February as well. So it will be straight back into the thick of it.

Very Hot Round

Wow, was Saturday hot or what? 14 of us, dragged ourselves around the Ant Hill Range to post some great scores despite the high temperature. There were personal best scores abounding. Sam Harwood shot fantastically to beat his own record. Ben Ward shot 80 pts better, Gene Shea, PB of 336 and Brett Hodgeman an unlucky 398 out of 400. He was on the 3rd last target and just missed the “A” zone, scoring only 18 points to dash his chance at the elusive 400 out of 400, maybe next week.
The scores were;
Men – Brett Hodgeman 398, Alastair Smedley 380, Cec Apps 370, Glenn Freeman 366, Neil Ussher 366, Gary Ward 330, Lenny McGlashan 284.
Ladies – Karen Smedley 346.
Juniors Boys –Jacob Fuit 380, Sam Harwood 340, Gene Shea 336, Ben Ward 330, Dion Ussher 232 (Bare Bow), Zac Ward 98.
A warm welcome (pardon the pun) to Zac Ward who gave competition archery a go for the first time. He shot quite well from the second peg (green peg) as he thought the 1st peg (yellow peg) was to close!
Remember our Christmas Party is set for the 19th of December and coincidently so is the AGM. All positions will be vacant for new blood. Don’t let that put you off coming to the party though. Looking forward to seeing you all there

3 Arrow Round Goanna Range 14th November

What a difference 7 days makes, we had a fine and sunny afternoon at “the back of Batty” for last week ends club round. A massive change from the previous week’s near wash out of the branch shoot. Our small club can conquer a lot, but not the weather.
This week 13 archers went round the Goanna Range with the targets be “put out” by a more forgiving crew as our range captain was out of action. Even so some of the cardboard critters were still a challenge. Martin Ussher is sneaking up on the rest of the club members, making things quite interesting in the juniors with a 384 out of 400, a very good personal best. Jacob Fuit is still the one to beat, only ahead by 2 points this week.
The scores were;
Men – Cec Apps 384, Alastair Smedley 382, Glenn Freeman 378, Brett Hodgeman 374, Josh Apps 362, Matt Hodgeman 254.
Ladies – Karen Smedley 340.
Juniors Boys –Jacob Fuit 386, Martin Ussher 384, Dion Ussher 366, Sam Harwood 328, jack Powick 292 (PB), Frank Smith 238 (PB).
Young Jack Powick achieved a good PB this week after not having a shot for a while, and junior shooter Frank Smith also had a great PB as well, excellent. This is what it is all about, having fun with friends and achieving a best score on the way.
Our Christmas Party is set for the 19th of December, bring your tent, bring your van, bring yourself for a great social occasion after the Saturday shoot. Mark this date on the calendar. Old and new members are all welcome. We all looking forward to seeing you all. Contacts for archery are Cec Apps – 65627047 or Neil Ussher 65631148 for more details.

Macleay Valley Archers – N.N.S.W Branch ABA Shoot

What to do whilst it is bucketing down.

A Meal Fit For A King

What Archers will drive through for a weekend away.

Well, we can certainly organize some rain, our Club Invitational Branch Shoot was almost washed out over the weekend, and after all the great week ends we’ve had lately, But we’re a hardy lot and those who got through had a go despite the wet. 18 archers competed in the lecherous (leeches galore!) conditions, it was a bit slippery out there and a there was a whole lot of the running stuff underfoot. The official branch shoot was called off but we ran a club shoot anyway. (We didn't drive through all that water for nothing.)
First up on Saturday morning was the 3 arrow round and thankfully we caught a break with no rain while we were out on the Goanna range. Unfortunately the afternoon was unkind as most got a drenching in the 1 Arrow Round before they completed the course. The uncomfortable conditions didn’t seem to worry Macleay Valley Archer Jacob Fuit as he top scored for the day with a pair of 394 scores. Brett Hodgeman also reveled in the wet with a 390 and backed it up with 382, each out of a possible 400 points.
After a belly warming breakfast on Sunday, it was decided that we call off the 2 arrow round in favor of an early mark to get home in daylight.
A big thank you to Karen, Neil, Narelle & Kathy for all their work in the kitchen.
It was still a great week end and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like warming themselves in front of the fire when it’s a bit wet under foot.

Back to normal now, hopefully it will stop raining for next week ends club round, see you there.

One Arrow Round 31/10/09

Well a couple of earlier spots of rain didn’t deter the 20 Macleay Valley Archers who tackled the Ant Hill Range on Saturday. Range Captain Shane, tricked a few this week with his angled and upside-down targets. You’d think that it would be the same, just the other way up, but it certainly pulled a few arrows amiss. Its great to see the younger ones having a go, we had Frank and John Smith, Allan Youdale and Josh Heuston coming back out to Tamban to test their skills with bow and arrow with their scores getting better each week.
The scores were;
Men – Brett Hodgeman 386, Shane Fuit 384, Matt Gray 374, Alastair Smedley 354, Glenn Freeman 338, Darrin Simmonds 336, Josh Apps 316, Cec Apps 314, Matt Hodgeman 172.
Ladies – Karen Smedley 330.
Juniors Boys –Jacob Fuit 388, Dion Ussher 378, Martin Ussher 350, Sam Harwood 260, Gene Shea 246, Jordan Byrne 164, Frank Smith 152 (PB), Allan Youdale 106, Josh Heuston 102, John Smith 56.
This week end is our NNSW Branch, ABA Shoot. If you’re camping over be sure to get out there early, so you can set up. Meals available on Friday night as all is prepared for a great week end. It’s a 9.30 Muster on Saturday, so don’t be late and allow enough time to register.

Macleay Valley Invitational Shoot 7th & 8th Nov

We are looking forward to our annual Club Invitational Shoot, only two weeks away. November 7th and 8th will see much action at our home range at Tamban. We are hoping for 70 to 80 archers, including all our own club members, to attend.
Competition is secondary to having fun and friendship, so bring your bow, bring your tent. With all meals, breakfast, lunch and tea available for a small cost it will be a great week end. Hope to see you there.

Avon Invitational 3D Teams Challenge

Team Geek with their trophy after winning the Junior Sighted Division and beating the Senior Sighted team in a shoot off.

This weekend the Macleay Valley Archers traveled to Gloucester to take part in the inaugural Avon Invitational 3D Teams Challenge. Despite the forecast of wet weather the Avon Valley Archers turned on a great week end to host the challenge. Teams of 3 archers competed against other teams to qualify for the “shoot out” on Sunday morning. There were 21 teams of various shooting styles all vying to shoot on Sunday. All of the Macleay Valley teams qualified for the shoot out. Although Team 2, Glenn Freeman, Neil Ussher and James (a ring in from Taree) were knocked out in the first round, Team 1, Cec Apps, Shane Fuit and Brett Hodgeman scored a respectful 52 points from 60, but were piped by Avon who scored the match winning 54 points.
Our junior boys, Jacob Fuit, Tim Hodgman and Dion Ussher showed all how to shoot by having the highest score on Saturday with 2300 pts from the 2400 available. Needless to say, they blitzed the shoot out on Sunday to win their division. They also won the overall Best Team by defeating the winning senior’s team in a Best of the Best Match.
Another highlight of the week end was Shane Fuit’s perfect score on Saturday morning of 400 out of 400, that’s a couple of perfect scores this year.
There is talk by some that the mystical "Glasses Of Wisdom" worn by our boys were in fact some sort of range finding device. If this proves to be true the club plans to copyright and market them.

Northern NSW Club 3D Team Challenge

This weekend sees the Northern NSW Club 3D Team Challenge at Avon Valley Archers near Stratford. This is an interclub challenge using teams of 3 archers who shoot together and discuss distances shooting 3D targets. On Sunday there will be a shoot off in front of spectators and hecklers. It should be interesting. We are debuting our new junior boys "Team Nerd" this weekend. I will post some photos next week.

ABA State Titles 3/1009 Results

Macleay Valley Archers once again showed their true colours at the ABA State Titles in Gloucester on the week end. Of the 10 archer’s who represented the Valley, 6 were successful in gaining places on the podium. Though the weather was fowl, 121 archers, from all over, nominated to compete in the challenging conditions. Even the ABA cardboard targets sagged under the relentless precipitation.
Club president, Cec Apps scored a Silver (2nd) place in the Freestyle Unlimited flight 2.
Shane Fuit conquered all to take 1st place in the Bowhunter Unlimited Flight 1.
Brett Hodgman placed 3rd in Bowhunter Unlimited Flight 2. Alastair Smedley, 3rd place, Freestyle Unlimited Flight 1. Dion Ussher Junior Bowhunter Unlimited Flight 1 champion,
Jacob Fuit Silver in the Junior Freestyle Unlimited flight 1.

Our dueling juniors Jacob and Dion recorded some of their best scores to date. Both scoring in the 380’s and 390’s while Jacob posted a tournament equaling best score of 398 out of 400. Jacob was almost assured of a first place until his release aid failed to release half way through the last round of the weekend, robbing him of that 1st place in his division.
Back to club archery for a few weeks and then were off again to Avon Valley Archers for the Avon Team Challenge, where teams of 3 archers compete shooting 3D targets. We are hoping to send 4 teams away, who, no doubt, will have a great time and bring home the bacon, so to speak.
If you would like to attend, please let Cec Apps know for nomination purposes.
Contacts for Macleay Valley Archers, Cec Apps – 65627047 or Neil Ussher 65631148 for more details.

3 Arrow Round 26th Sep

Nine Archers this week and five on the practice range, not a bad turn-out for a very windy and dusty afternoon at Tamban. I don’t think you could tell if the arrows were flying straight or not, Josh shot the same tree 3 times! But there were some good scores posted.
The scores were;
Men – Alastair Smedley 392, Shane Fuit 384, Cec Apps 384, Brett Hodgeman 374, Josh Apps 352, Darrin Simmonds 354.
Ladies – No Ladies this week.
Juniors Boys –Jacob Fuit 388, Jordan Byrne 216, Michael 140.
Returning from a long break from archery, Lance Bryne and youngest son Lachlan eased back into the sport at the practice butts while the other few prepared their bows for next week’s State ABA meeting at Gloucester. If you’re going to go, let Club President, Cec, know, so we can nominate numbers. Contacts for archery are Cec Apps – 65627047 or Neil Ussher 65631148 for more details.

IFAA Northern NSW Branch Titles

3 archers made the trip to Avon for the Northern Branch IFAA. Tim, Brett & Alistair shot 2 rounds of Field on Saturday and 2 rounds of Hunter on Sunday. That's 56 targets & 224 arrows in beautiful hot weather. (Cec didn't go). Alistair made the mistake of shooting too well on Saturday. (over 500) This put him into Men's Freestyle Unlimited A Grade. He still shot well to come 3rd. Brett shot like his elbow had a hinge in it but still managed a 2nd place in Men's Bowhunter Unlimited B Grade. Tim shot well to win Jnr Boys Bowhunter Unlimited B Grade.
Avon has great facilities and and their ranges are nearly as good as ours so it's always a good weekend.
As a result of this weekend Brett & Alistair will be firing everyone up to get our own IFAA range going. It would be a real asset for the club. An occasional round of IFAA will soon show any faults in your form.

Avon/Manning/Macleay Tri Club Challenge 29th & 30th Aug 2009

       The 3rd and final round of the Tri Club Challenge was held over the weekend of 29th & 30th August. 32 archers shot 3 round of ABA. Macley was the overall winner with an average score of 1352, Manning 2nd with 1277 and Avon 3rd on 1103.
       It was a great weekend with the emphasis on having a good time and getting to know our neighbouring clubs. Our younger members got to shoot against other archers in a tournament like atmosphere and will now be keen to travel and compete at Branch, State and National Events.
      The ranges again impressed most of the visitors and they were full of praise for the facilities as well.
      Thanks to all the kitchen workers over the weekend and especially to Karen for all the work she put into preparation before the event.
      The Tri Series will be happening again next year and all 3 clubs want to make it bigger and better.