And so we began.....
OUR FIRST INVITATION SHOOT
The first Invitation Shoot held by Southern Vales was on Sunday 6th June 1977. It was attended by many visitors, including Alex Barter (Archery Society of SA Board Member), Edie Barter, Frank Coard (President ASSA), Norm Smith (Secretary ASSA), and Adrian Kemp (later an ASSA Board Member).
OUR FIRST SA STATE TYRO
(a tournament for new archers within their first 18 months of registration)
Originally SVAC hosted the State Tyro event and held this annual shoot for 5 years. The State Tyro was then taken over by Archery Society of SA (now known as Archery SA) and SVAC was allocated the Australia Day shoot instead. This event was held in January every year.
On the 2nd May 2010, SVAC was proud to welcome the State Tyro back home, along with the AJ Barter Veterans' Tournament. We will be hosting these two events each year from now on.
OUR FIRST FIELD SHOOT
The first special Field shoot was the Golden Horseshoe, held in October 1983 at the Old Noarlunga grounds. This gave SVAC two recognised shoots each year, one in January and the second in October. The Golden Horseshoe received sponsorship and was renamed the IDEC Horseshoe shoot during the years 1984, 1985 and 1986.
It was around this time that Archery SA removed the Australia Day shoot from SVAC.
During her years with SVAC, Rosney mentored champion archers such as Simon Fairweather and Pat Coghlan and inspired many, many others.
Simon, who is the national Head Coach for Archery Australia, and Pat, currently ranked 3rd in the World Compound (and still a member of SVAC) speak highly of Rosney and her efforts to encourage young archers to achieve their very best. Rosney's dedication, her deep love of archery and her inspiration will continue to echo throughout time.
After the very sudden and sad death of Rosney, and to honour her years of invaluable efforts for Archery in SA, the IDEC Horseshoe was renamed the Rosney Johns Memorial shoot and remains so to this day. SVAC proudly hosts the Rosney Johns Memorial shoot on the last Sunday of October every year.
For the first two years under the new name of the Rosney Johns Memorial saw it held at Archery Park. We now hold the event at the grounds of Southern Field Archers, on Majors Road O'Halloran Hill, with whom SVAC has forged a firm friendship.
OUR FIRST FITA EVENT
On 1st January 1995, with a healthy atmosphere in the Club, SVAC held its first FITA Star shoot. This shoot was a huge success and continues to be so with growing attendance each time.
OUR FIRST LONGBOW TOURNAMENT
With a growing number of Longbow shooters in the Club, it was suggested by Phil Crase and Gus Kruger that we host a special tournament for their style only. This was the ONLY Longbow Tournament in Australia at this time, and we believe still is. The first Longly Longbow Tournament was held in November 1997 and was also a huge success. Ever since, on the last Sunday in November, Longbowers gather at SVAC, appropriately attired for the times of yore and enjoy a most fabulous day.
OUR FIRST CROSSBOW TOURNAMENT
On 21st February 2010, SVAC was proud to offer our grounds for the Crossbow Australian Championships. At this event, two world records were recorded by our very own Tim Tombs (a.k.a.The Hobbit). Well done Tim! In March 2011, the World Crossbow Championships were also held at our grounds for Target and matchplay, in conjunction with Great Southern Archers for the Forest event. Our very own Deb Upright is now ranked as the World Target No 1 and World Forest No 1. Congratulations Deb!
OUR FIRST AUSTRALIAN OPEN
In November 2010, we held our first Australian Open tournament. The first two days held at our grounds, with the final day of Matchplay held on the stunning grounds of Penny's Hill winery. In October 2011 we will again hold the Australian Open and hope that all who attend will enjoy it as much as last year.
AND WHERE TO FROM HERE.....
In 2011/2012, SVAC plans to hold it's very first Handicap shoot. This will see archers compete within their handicap rankings, not Off The Bow and not in Age or Gender divisions. Stay tuned for more about this one.....
A BOW, IS A BOW, IS A BOW
Southern Vales Archery Club will continue to embrace all forms of archery, with all ages and abilities catered for.
