The Erina Archery Club is set to relocate to Peats Ridge after 41 years of being based at Erina Leagues Club.
With the leagues club expansion leading to a need to move to a new venue, a spokesperson for the archery club expressed its gratitude for the free use of the leagues club land over four decades.
Initially named Gosford Archery Club, the club formed in the early 1960s and after a few relocations found a home adjacent Erina Leagues Club.
“Today, with the support and generosity of Central Coast Council and the tireless amount of work by the archery members and committee, we have finally found a home at Fred Pinkstone Oval, located at Peats Ridge,” spokesperson Frank Farrugia said.
“With a tremendous amount of work by both the committee and members, we have finally dismantled the archery club, and moved the three shipping containers to Peats Ridge.
“Archery is a weird and wonderful sport that has been ongoing for thousands of years.
“At the club the archers’ ages range from the early teens to the mid-80s and some are so proficient that they could hit a tennis ball at 70m while others couldn’t hit a barn at 20m.
“But like so many clubs enjoying sport in the Erina area, it is the fun and camaraderie that we thrive on.”
Archery is divided into three basic divisions; compound, recurve and longbows.
“I belong to the historic longbowers (Robin Hood type bows) and our band of men look forward to our shoot every Saturday morning,” Farrugia said.
“There are about 164 sporting areas on the Central Coast which can cater for more than 20 different types of sport and archery is one just of them.
“But I can safely say that not only is archery the oldest of all sports but when the archer releases his/her arrow the satisfaction enjoyed is definitely outstanding.
“It is with profound sadness that we say goodbye to our field at Erina and we look forward to enjoying our new home at Peats Ridge.”
Anyone interested in joining can sign up for a “newbie” class at erinaarcheryclub.com.au, with gear provided for a fee.
After my comment re missing archery boards I found this wonderful story. Thank you Frank Farrugia. All the best at Peats Ridge.