Archery is growing quickly in the Virgin Islands and in 2021, for the first time in its history, the territory fielded an archer in the Olympics! The Virgin Islands Archery Federation (VIAF) wants to continue to grow the sport and invites the residents of the United States Virgin Islands to experience the joys and challenges of archery under the supervision of the VIAF’s coaches, Ms. Tatyana Muntyan, OLY and Mr. Mike Gerard. Both are championship archers who are excited to teach this wonderful sport to anyone interested. Ms. Muntyan participated in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, and will instruct Islanders in a traditional form of archery called “barebow” and also in her specialty, Olympic Style, which is the only form of archery in the Olympic Games. Coach Gerard, who is a collegiate, national, and Vegas tournament champion, will teach Islanders how to shoot the modern compound bow, which has brought incredible levels of accuracy to this ancient sport.
On Friday, August 19 and Saturday, August 20, the VIAF will sponsor archery instruction for anyone interested. All events will be held at St. Thomas’ archery range located at Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School. All equipment is provided free of charge. Participants are required to wear closed-toed shoes and are encouraged to bring water.
The schedule for archery instruction is as follows:
Friday, August 19 at 4:30 PM: Youth Archery Day
All those under 21 are invited to experience archery. Ms. Muntyan and Mr. Gerard will teach the basics of archery and will give participants hands-on experience. Only youth will be allowed to shoot, but those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The minimum age to participate is 10.
Saturday, August 20 at 10:00 AM: Archery Open House
Come and give archery a try! This is a lifelong sport for the entire family! Come on out and learn how to shoot with coaches Muntyan and Gerard! All equipment is provided and you’ll receive basic instruction so that you can begin an adventure of a lifetime. Afterwards, feel free to chat with the coaches and representatives of the St. Thomas Archery Club and the St. Thomas homeschool archery group.
Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 PM: Archery Equipment Selection and Maintenance
Learn about bows, arrows, and all the equipment needed to shoot archery and to continue to shoot high scores through the maintenance and proper car of your kit.
Saturday, August 20 at 5:00 PM: Individualized Instruction
For those who attended the session on the 19th or the morning of the 20th and made arrangements, this will be the time to work with one of these amazing coaches one on one!
More information can be found on the Federation’s facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/VIArchery
The VIAF hopes that many Islanders will attend, learn how to love this wonderful sport, and, one day, hopefully be the Virgin Island’s NEXT Olympian!