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Grant helps archers land t argets

THE Macalister Trophy Bowhunters Archery Club were successful in receiving a $5000 community grant from the Wellington Shire Council and are now the proud owners of a full 20-target set of 3D targets. After receiving feedback from members about purchasing that 3D targets and completing a feasibility study it was estimated that it was going to take more than five years to purchase a full set of 20 x 3D targets due to the cost. However, the club applied for a grant through the Wellington Shire Council and was successful. The grant received was a Community Projects Grant and club purchased the targets in September last year. The total cost for the purchase of the targets was $7148 and the club contributed $2148. MTB president Doug Cahill said it was a game changer for the club. "On behalf of the club committee and club members he would like to thank the Wellington Shire Council for the grant and helping our club achieve this goal," he said. "Archery is a great sport that a lot of people love and 3D targets adds a new level of challenge and enjoyment. "3D Archery is the fastest growing target archery category of archery worldwide and everyone within our archery community wants to shoot 3D Targets. "But they are also the most expensive targets to initially purchase due to being made from a purpose created archery self-healing foam. Since purchasing the targets, the Gippsland Branch Management Committee have allocated a 3D interclub competition day to our club in September 2022. "We would not have been able to do this without them (Wellington Shire)," Mr Cahill said. "We also now have the required number of 3D targets to host the Victorian State 3D Titles and hopefully we get that opportunity in the coming years. Securing this competition will attract hundreds of competitors. “The club is now showing strength in terms of increasing memberships, as the club has grown from 18 financial members in March 2021 to now 24 financial members with regular Wednesday night club attendance increasing as well. “Some of the benefits of Archery include exercise, strength and balance, focus, coordination, patience, mental control, confidence and social skills.

The Macalister Trophy Bowhunters Archery Club received a $5000 community grant from the Wellington Shire Council to help purchase a full 20-target set of 3D targets. Photo: Contributed

“Our mission is to encourage the take up of archery as a sport." The Macalister Trophy Bowhunters Club is located in Newry. They have an indoor range and two outdoor ranges. Outdoor targets are shot at distances from 5.8m to 48m. The indoor range in located in a shed, the targets are shot at a distance of 18m. The club meets every Wednesday night at 6pm throughout the year and generally once per month on a weekend. "Archery is a sport where proper tuition is needed to learn the safety aspects first and for acquiring the technical skills. Young or old, everyone can enjoy archery. And that’s one of the many beauties of this sport," Mr Cahill said. If you would like to try archery, you can contact Doug Cahill on 0438 564 771, Clint Brewer on 0407 457 189 or message the club through their Facebook or Instagram page.