As we look back on the highlights of the past year, one moment stands out. At the recent British Blind Sport (BBS) 50th anniversary awards evening, the 50th Anniversary Legacy Award was presented to Roger Rees-Evans, a man synonymous with visually impaired (VI) archery. From his first arrow in 1980 to shaping international rulebooks, Roger’s 40-year journey within archery has changed the sport.
In 1980, the landscape for blind and partially sighted archers was limited. Roger, a B1 archer, didn’t just take up archery; he built the sport he wanted to compete in. By 1985, Roger became the founding Chair of the BBS Archery Section, creating the very framework that allows VI archers to take to the line today. His commitment wasn't just to the committee room. Roger has worn every hat imaginable – Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and Tournament Secretary – often simultaneously. If there was a target to be set or a competition to be run, Roger was there.
Roger understood that for the sport to grow, it needed the prestige of formal competition. In the late 80s, he was already organising international matches against France, planting the seeds for what would become a global movement. In 1990, he launched the first BBS National Outdoor Championships in Neath, South Wales. A decade later, he went on to establish the Indoor Championships, ensuring the sport was a year-round pursuit. Perhaps Roger’s greatest achievement was his work with World Archery. He collaborated tirelessly to establish the formal rules of VI archery. His persistence paid off in 2005 when the rules were confirmed by the Paralympic Committee, followed by the monumental official recognition of VI archery by World Archery in 2015. Because of Roger’s advocacy, VI archery isn't just a recreational activity; it is a recognised, elite discipline on the world stage.
His nomination for the award read: "Roger is a mentor and advocate, always willing to guide new VI archers at the start of their journey. His pioneering work has not only given blind and partially sighted people the chance to compete at the highest levels but has also embedded VI archery within the global sporting community."
The 50th Anniversary Legacy Award is reserved for those who leave the sport better than they found it. With four decades of innovation, leadership, and a "lead by example" attitude, Roger hasn't just left a legacy – he has provided the foresight and the path for hundreds of archers to follow.
Congratulations, Roger, on a lifetime of extraordinary achievement.
.jpg)
