The Archery GB Youth Festival 2022 entry is opening tonight! It will be held at Lilleshall National Sports Centre from 26th - 30th July.
Since 2014, Archery GB host the annual week-long Youth Festival tournament at Lilleshall. The event aims to simulate the running of international junior events, such as European Cups and European Championships. This gives young archers the opportunity to experience what attending one of these international events would be like.
The Youth Festival 2022 week will run as follows:
Tuesday 26th July
Wednesday 27th July
Thursday 28th July
Friday 29th July
Saturday 30th July
The Youth Festival is the perfect tournament for junior archers who wish to get a taste of what international competition would be like, but also for those archers who are simply looking to try something new.
Â"The Youth Festival is always a solid staple in my diary for the summer. It is great fun as you get to try out so many different competition styles, team rounds, mix team rounds and individual.
"I always love the team rounds, it's something you don't get in other competitions. They teach you how to work with others, and you make so many great friends with the people you compete with and against,” Imogen Newby, a long-standing Youth Festival attendee, said.
Over the years, the Youth Festival has evolved to cater to all youth archers. Including everyone from grassroot and beginner backgrounds to those who compete more regularly.
Â"I've been doing the Youth Festival since I was a cub. And now being a junior, I still love the event just as much as the first time. The friends I have made there have lasted a long time.
"It's an event where the best of the best of our country's young archers get together. And it's a great way to try something new in a friendly and warm environment,” Imogen said.
Archers will be able to shoot alongside familiar friends as well as be able to make new ones. The Youth Festival is the ideal setting to get to know your peers. Whilst experiencing the thrill of shooting as a team, not just as an individual.
For the finals at the end of the week, the matches will be held on Lilleshall's renowned orangery. This impressive stage is host to Archery GB's best competitions, such as the National Tour Final. This is where many successful archers have earned a spot on the podium.
The Youth Festival gives the young archers an opportunity to experience the same atmosphere as they take to the field in the hopes of taking away a medal. Throughout the week, smaller prizes will be available. As Archery GB will be including team matches separate from the main event. This is in order to allow for even more shooting.
Â"The Youth Festival certainly gave me a feel for the structure of a world event. I found that when I got out there at the World Championships. I wasn't as fazed by everything being so all over the place. And I was then able to focus on me and my shooting,” Imogen added.
She is one of many GB junior archers who have used the Youth Festival as training for international events. In 2021, Imogen competed for the cadet recurve women at the World Youth Championships in Poland.
Above all else, the Youth Festival 2022 promises to be a week of fun, enjoyable competition. Where juniors from all over the country can come together and show their mettle.
If you're interested in attending the 2022 Youth Festival this Summer from 26th - 30th July, then please head over to the Archery GB Members' Portal. All tournament and booking information will be on there regarding the Youth Festival 2022. If you are not already logged in, the site will direct you to create and account to view this information.
