By Dean “The Sportsman” Greenaway
Medalist in the inaugural V.I. Field Archery Federation indoor nationals
Some 40 archers from Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago and the BVI, participated in the inaugural V.I. Field Archery Federation indoor nationals for the David Abednego Cup at the Multipurpose Sports Complex on Sunday.
“I think it’s a really great step forward for archery in the BVI. We need more territories to put on events like these to encourage the youth in the sport of archery,” Trinidad and Tobago Field Archery Association president Sherwin Francis told Island Sun Sports. “I personally am keen to see the sport grow in the region—whether field or target archery—I think this is a really great step forward for the VI Field Archery Federation putting on this event. It’s not an easy event to put on, I’m also here to assist being their first event, to help them pull it off successfully, I think it was really well done. The team here needs a round of applause for their organizational skills and really pulling this off. I hope to see this tournament going forward, grow.”
V.I. Field Archery Federation president Reuben Stoby, said that they were happy to have the support of Puerto Rico, which added competition for local archers and flare to the tournament.
“Everyone went through their paces well, there were no hiccups or issues with bows and I’m happy that we were able to pull off our first indoor competition and we’re really excited about the future,” he said. “Archery is really taking off among the school children so we are looking forward to developing the sport in the BVI. With the partnerships that we have been able to foster, not just with the government but private persons, like David Abednego, I think we have a bright future ahead for archery.”
Stoby said archery is one of the fastest growing sports in the BVI. “What I like about it is the wide cross section of people who are interested, little ones, a fisherman, people from different professions, they are all interested in archery,” Stoby said. “So this is very, very encouraging. We look forward to next year when we will have our first outdoor competition and we know that we’ll get a lot of international persons coming as well to compete.”
Puerto Rico coach Jose Juan Bolque said: For me it’s very good. Perfect for a first time competition,” he said, noting his team did well. “I’m very comfortable with the very good performance of the athletes. It was perfect.”
The tournament Stoby said, was also a learning experience in terms of how they will run their first international outdoor tournament in 2026. Practices are held between 3-5 p.m. on Sundays at the Roger Allen Hodge Softball Park in Sea Cows Bay.
“There are coaches who will teach you how to go through your paces and people don’t have to fear,” he noted. “There are people who think archery is a bit difficult, but once you go through your paces with our trained coaches, they’ll realize that it’s something they can learn very quickly and it teaches mental focus. What I learned today is that it’s an endurance sport as well. Having to shoot 60 arrows, it’s not easy. Sometimes people can become fatigued. I like that as an endurance sport.”
Results: U13 Men. Barebow Compound: 1. Maxmillian Zurich, 129. 2. Jeilon Donovan, 102. 3. Ruby Pickering, 95. Women: Robyn Stoby, 73. Chole Hibbert, 26. Jr. Women: 1. Ava Ghiorse, 161. 2. Princess Vergel, 47. 3. Simora Donovan, 28. Jr. Men: 1. Oshane Mason, 111. 2. Thomas Aldridge, 105. 3. Ethan Ismael, 95.
Freestyle Unlimited. Jr. Men: 1. Sebastian Feliciano, 269. 2. D’Marcus Richardson, 149. Adult Men: 1. Sherwin Francis, 299. 2. Rammishad Brown, 285. Juan Alices, 283. Adult Women: 1. Ritseeniyah Georges Buxo, 244. 2. Javlyn Frett, 238.
Barebow Recurve. Adult Men: 1. Lohendy Salva, 198. 2. Reuben Stoby, 157. 3. Zacchari “Zac” Stutt, 108. Bow Hunter Unlimited. Adult Men: 1. Kerry Ottley, 278. 2. Meshach Stoby, 231. Freestyle Recurve, Jr. Women: 1. Ava Ghiorse, 218. 2. Juliana Marcano, 210. 3. Mariangela Rodriguez, 208. Freestyle Recurve, Jr. Men: Julio Cruz, 168. Young Adult: Elina Soto, 227. Freestyle Recurve: Young Adult: Carlos Carmona, 228. Adult Women: Natcha Leon, 264.
