UK Sport’s international relations team has supported Archery GB’s work to promote and scale up para-archery in African countries, using the power of sport to inspire positive change.
In collaboration with World Archery, World Archery Europe and the European Union Erasmus programme, the aim of the project is to develop African para-archery across the three main pillars of coaching, judging and competition performance in order to increase para-archery participation the whole world expand continent.
The project included a judges seminar in Uganda in April 2022, followed by a judges observation for the top three candidates at the European Para Archery Cup in July in Nove Mesto, Czech Republic. There were also e-learning programs to train archery coaches and a coaches’ seminar in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi in September, attended by 11 coaches from 7 African nations.
With a focus on increasing the number of para archery trainers in African countries, one of the highlights of the program came earlier in November when trainers from the Nairobi Seminary traveled to the UK to gain experience working with the GB Para programme, which is hosted by Archery GB at the National Sports Center in Lilleshall.
Only one African nation – South Africa – sent para-archery athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, so this project is vital to increase the capacity in African nations to conduct para-archery programs and increase access to the sport with which Aim to increase representation at future international competitions and Paralympic Games.
Hilda Gibson, Archery GB International Relations Manager, said: “This project, together with previous international partnership projects, has now trained a total of 56 para-archery trainers and 7 judges in 15 countries.
“We can now see that people with disabilities are welcome to archery in many of these countries. Four countries (in addition to South Africa) have multiple trained trainers and an active para-archery development program as part of their forward strategy. The joy in both archer and trainer when the first arrow is shot and hits the mark is contagious and wonderful to be a part of.”
Paul Evans, UK Sport’s international relations adviser, said: “Para-archery is one of the most inclusive sports in the world and many people who cannot compete in other sports can do para-archery. At its core, this is a sport built on a can-do attitude and spirit of inclusivity.
“That is why it is so inspiring to be part of this project to train the first para coaches in African countries and to help spread the sport across the continent.
“This project is a great example of the power of international partnership projects to inspire change, increase access to sport and use the UK’s leadership, expertise and experience to share best practice and build relationships between nations around the world. “
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