Bull's-eye for Canadian archery

Winnipeg Free Press

29-07-2025

The biggest event on the World Archery calendar is making a stop in Winnipeg later this month.
Held in countries like Spain, Poland, Argentina and Great Britain since its launch in 1991, the World Archery Youth Championships is a significant international event for young archers that takes place every two years.
In 2025, it's Canada's turn and, with Winnipeg as the host city, organizers hope the tournament will put the country on the map for archery.
JODY WACOWICH PHOTO / ARCHERY CANADA
The 2025 World Archery Youth Championships will see 600 athletes from 67 countries compete, including three Manitobans for Team Canada.
JODY WACOWICH PHOTO / ARCHERY CANADA
The 2025 World Archery Youth Championships will see 600 athletes from 67 countries compete, including three Manitobans for Team Canada.
This is Winnipeg's first time hosting a major international archery championship, an idea that began in 2019 when event chair Kelly Taylor attended the World Archery Youth Championships in Madrid, where six Manitobans were competing for Team Canada.
'I said to people as we were waiting for the bus, I said to the other Canadians, 'you know, we could host that in Winnipeg,'' said Taylor. 'And they said, 'Oh, you can't do that in Winnipeg.' You need this much money and, you know, all the preparations, they'd never take it, right? So I kind of took that as a challenge.'
In 2020, Taylor's efforts, with support from Tourism Manitoba and Archery Canada, were rewarded when he was informed that Winnipeg had won the bid to host the event.
From Aug. 16-24, nearly 600 athletes from 67 countries will compete, bringing more than $5 million in economic impact to the city, according to Taylor.
'I think it'll be something that will really grab a lot of eyes, so that's going to be exciting. But, at a personal level, I'm just really looking forward to hosting a lot of these teams and people.'– Ryan Van Berkel, executive director of Archery Manitoba
'For both of us, as the provincial Association and the National Association in Ottawa, hosting an event on this scale and this importance is significant,' said Ryan Van Berkel, executive director of Archery Manitoba. 'I mean, Canada's hosted a few smaller international events over the past five years that are significant for sure and have an impact on that national community. But for us to do this here is huge.'
The compound and recurve events for U18 and U21 men and women will be held at the Winnipeg South End United Soccer Club complex for all matches leading up to the semifinals.
The bronze and gold medal matches will be quite the spectacle, according to Van Berkel, taking place at the CN Stage area at The Forks in downtown Winnipeg.
'From an organizational standpoint, excited to just get archery out into the community at this level,' said Van Berkel. 'I think it'll be something that will really grab a lot of eyes, so that's going to be exciting. But, at a personal level, I'm just really looking forward to hosting a lot of these teams and people. Despite archery being quite a large international community, it's pretty close-knit in culture.'
JODY WACOWICH PHOTO / ARCHERY CANADA
Winnipeg is set to play host to the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships this Aug. 16-24.
JODY WACOWICH PHOTO / ARCHERY CANADA
Winnipeg is set to play host to the 2025 World Archery Youth Championships this Aug. 16-24.
Archery is a smaller sport in Manitoba, but it has gained interest through its inclusion in the Manitoba and Canada Games, as well as its status as an Olympic pathway sport.
'There's a pretty impressive athlete development pathway here of athletes that successfully go to the international stage and compete and, in the past, have won as well,' said Van Berkel.
Three Manitobans are on Team Canada for the World Archery Youth Championships: Khushreet Sandhu in the U18 Compound Women's division, Acadia Flockton as an alternate, and Bailey Mathers in the U21 Compound category.
'It's really important for their development,' said Taylor. 'You know, you can shoot at local events and do really well, and then, you only really get better when you start shooting with the best, right? So getting to an event like the World Archery Youth Championships, getting to an event like the Gator Cup, which is in Florida, major events like that, it's a real eye opener for archers that might have been sort of the cream of the crop in their home market, but realize that they need a little bit more development to take that next step.'
'We're hoping that it will drive interest in the sport and where, you know, you don't necessarily need to have biceps the size of tree trunks, or quads that can bend metal, to be a world-class athlete.'– World Archery Youth Championships event chair Kelly Taylor
Manitoba's athletes will look to make the most of the familiar setting, as competing at home can be a big advantage in a mentally taxing sport like archery, says Van Berkel.
In addition to individual events, countries also compete in team rounds, a high-energy format where spectators and team members are encouraged to cheer on their favourite teams.
The event will also feature a 'Try Archery' tent, offering anyone who hasn't shot a bow before the chance to give it a go and experience the sport firsthand.
'We hope it raises a profile of the sport,' said Taylor. 'We're hoping that it will drive interest in the sport and where, you know, you don't necessarily need to have biceps the size of tree trunks, or quads that can bend metal, to be a world-class athlete.'
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