The National Archery in the School’s Spotlight:
When it comes to the National Archery in the School’s Program’s tournaments, there are many factors that go into making such an event happen– from booking the location, setting up the range(s), conducting the competition, and finally to tear down and cleanup. Rightfully so, we are so enthusiastic to witness amazing student NASP® archers, showcasing their hard-work and dedication at the end of each year, that what takes place behind the scenes, can go unnoticed. This is why recognizing individuals, who are responsible for putting the tournament together and implementing it, are so important.
Volunteers always play an integral part in the conducting of NASP® tournaments. Based on what job a volunteer undertakes, there are in-depth training videos that individuals must study before working a tournament. The video not only goes over the specific job, but also, more importantly, discusses safety of the range to protect archers, coaches, and spectators. With 14,139 bulls-eye archers and 4,456 3D archers competing at this year’s NASP® national tournament, it is critical that all volunteers were well versed in safety measures. Because NASP® makes safety a priority, the world-renown archery organization has perpetuated a perfect safety record, since its inception in 2002. Another way NASP® ensures the safety of the events is by conducting background checks on every volunteer. They must pass this State Police security-check, paid for by NASP®, in order to work an event.
There are many duties a NASP® volunteer performs during a NASP® tournament. These include: range-set up, inspecting bows and arrows to make sure they meet competitive specifications, overseeing student archer shooting, providing replacement arrows if an arrow is dropped, helping to call arrows that are difficult to score, making sure all archers demonstrate integrity while scoring, and collecting scorecards at the end of each night. At national and world tournaments, lane officials, volunteers who oversee many of the above responsibilities are paramount, as one official for every fifteen feet of shooting line (that includes three, 5’ wide lanes and six archers).
Conducting the largest of NASP® tournaments, the Eastern NASP® Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, requires roughly 250 volunteers. Many of the same individuals have provided this service for over fifteen years! There were some new lane officials, this year, all the way from Fort Campbell, Kentucky! Brad Noble who is a Weather Forecaster for Detachment 4, 18th Weather Squadron (101st Airborne Division) and member of the United States Air Force (USAF), along with five other USAF members, traveled from Fort Campbell, KY for the 2018 National Tournament, to set up the range and work as lane officials for the International Bowhunting Organization’s companion event, the NASP®/IBO 3D National Challenge. After speaking with Sergeant Noble, he had some words of inspiration to offer about his experience. “It was an absolute joy working with the 4th through 12th grade student archers. The kids were incredible! Working with the guys on the 3D range was a highlight! They were awesome!” Kyle Thurman, another weather officer in the Air Force and support for 101st airborne offered, “I was very impressed with the team that ran the event. It was obvious that they cared not only for the sport, but for the kids who participated.”
Sergeant Derek Jones, also a Weather Forecaster at the Det. 4, 18th Weather Squadron, is in charge of organizing events through his squadron, including volunteer opportunities, and since Derek is a veteran and certified NASP® /instructor/volunteer, he thought gathering up some of his guys to work a tournament would be an excellent opportunity. “We’re always trying to come up with different events where our Airmen can make a difference, and working with the students at the NASP® tournament was something different that the guys at the Weather Squadron have never done before, and it was great experience,” says Jones.
Volunteers at NASP® national and world tournaments are essential for a successfully run tournament and while communication between archers and coaches is necessary in some scenarios, volunteers only interact with the archer as needed to avoid distracting these young people for whom the event is what they have been training, for years. Of course, if there is a rule or safety violation, the volunteer brings such to the attention of the archer’s coach. Of course, coaching is left up to the coach. If a volunteer provides instruction, it could conflict with the training the archer has already received.
NASP® is credited for many things like improving academic excellence for students, building confidence, and providing an environment for creating friendships, not only between student archers, but volunteers as well. Airman Manuel Chairez, a United States Air Force Weather Apprentice can attest the friendships built through NASP®. “While at the tournament, I gave my buddy Ben a piece of gum that was next to me. Jokingly, a student behind us says, “Can I have a piece of gum?” I proceeded to give him gum anyway, next thing I know, his whole school is asking for gum. I continued giving the students, who appeared to be 4th graders, my gum until it was gone. The students were hanging out next to us prior to the beginning of the next flight. Afterword, another volunteer told me that it was quite the “fan club” I had going on. This definitely was one of many highlights during the trip.” When asked what it was like working with these students, Chairez had this to say. “Excellent, the kids were phenomenal. It was enjoyable seeing them do what they love and are passionate about.”
NASP® is appreciative of all the hard work the volunteers provide and it was a special honor to have some of Fort Campbell’s finest attend this year’s national tournament. We are not only thankful for their volunteer efforts to young archers, but also sacrificing for our nation’s continued freedom!
For more information on NASP® tournaments, please visit www.nasptournaments.org.
Photo caption – L to R: Senior Airmen (SrA) Benjamin Provan, Airmen First Class (A1C) Emanuel Chairez, Master Sergeant (MSgt) William Noble, Captain (Capt) Kyle Thurmond, Technical Sergeant (TSgt) Derek Jones, TSgt Eric Blossom