Four archers from Prairie Land Public School Divison (PLSD) are in South Africa to take on the world.
Holly and Natalie Karg of JC Charyk School in Hanna and Vince Laughlin of Youngstown and Sean Murphy of Altario are representing Team Canada at the 2023 AGA (Africa Genesis Archery Foundation) World Tournament in South Africa. The tournament itself is four days long and consists of archers from Canada, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Tania Karg is a coach at JC Charyk and is accompanying the team to the tournament.
“The students heading to South Africa were chosen by the NASP (National Archery in Schools Program) Canada National Team coaches based on their tournament scores, this year and previous years. They are expected to be shooting almost daily, 70-100 arrows. A typical competition is 60 arrows, and while they are in South Africa they will be shooting 2-3 tournaments a day,” Tania tells the Mail.
Archery has blossomed in PLSD. Schools within the division participate in the NASP which is offered to students in Grades 4-12. The program runs from January through April, and at JC Charyk there are 50 archers alone.
The students practice a couple of times during the week throughout the season and also participates in inter-school division tournaments, as well as throughout the province. There are also provincial and national competitions available if they choose.
Team Canada consists of two student teams of 16 archers each and an adult team. Coaches hail from throughout Alberta and archers predominantly come from Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Tania explains, “They will be shooting both in both a Bullseye competition (normal ringed target) and a 3D tournament where they get to shoot foam lifelike 3D targets of African animals such as a warthog, baboon and African porcupine.”
“We are fortunate to be able to extend our stay in South Africa to see many of the amazing sights.”
