A sport for all ages

Wednesday 12 July 2023

There is a 58 year age gap between the youngest and oldest competitors at the archery tournament at this year's NatWest International Island Games.

Ellen Bonner of the Guernsey team is 14 while Joy Goff from the Isle of Man is 72.

Bonner started training just three years ago, before turning 11 - after enjoying an archery session at Castle Cornet.

"I started three years ago, and since then I've been away a couple of times to England for competitions and done a couple of home competitions. I always was quite interested in it, like the Castle Cornet events with the archery, I just really got into it. I was actually too young to start it but because I was quite tall and mature for my age, they decide to let me try it."

Pictured: 14-year-old Ellen Bonner checks her scores at the NatWest International Island Games. (DAVID FERGUSON)

The decision to let 10-year-old Bonner try out the sport led to her qualifying for the Guernsey Island Games team in which she's already won a team silver and bronze in the Mixed Compound Head to Head Team Knockout and the Single WA 1440 Compound team event respectively.

She's competing today in the women's knockout and has the singles competitions to come.

"I think I've done quite well this morning (Tuesday)," she said. "Being at the same distance for a long period of time is always quite tough, because if you have a bad end, you still got to go back to that same distance. But it's been quite nice.

"This is actually my first sort of experience that I've never done one like that before. This is actually my first Island Games as well, but I am enjoying it.

Bonner scored 406 in the Women's 720 Compound heats, while Goff scored 470 coming one place ahead of the younger competitor.

As the oldest archer in the competition she is keen to ensure spectators know it is a sport for all ages.

Pictured: Manx archer Joy Goff.

"I enjoy it, and I like coaching and bringing the kids through that. That's a great feeling. Seeing the youngsters come through.

"We do 'have a go' sessions and things like that. We have got two beginners sessions each year, and they come from age nine upwards, so we have from nine to whatever. As long as they can hold the bow and pull the string back, they can do it!"

Goff has been training in archery since 1991, and has been a coach and assistant team manager over the years.

She has competed at 10 Island Games since 1993.