Archer Spotlight - October Edition: Club Field Captain, Barry Rockall

“Field Captain Barry, please do tell us - how did you discover Archery?”

My introduction to archery was through my son, Jamie. Jamie was in a Cubs group that was led by a keen archer. Where Black Stag Archers (BSA) are today, in Wanstead Park Road, was previously a Scout-run archery club called “Lost Arrows”. This was led by two senior Scouts as a “come and try archery” facility for any Scout, Guide, or Cub group who wished to try archery. Jamie’s group went along, and we were informed that he showed an ability for archery. Not long after this, the two Scout archery leaders retired, so the club ceased to operate. About the same time, three members of Oakfield Archers decided to set up their own club and, via friends and family within scouting, were offered “Lost Arrows”, which they accepted and changed the name to BSA.

“That is very interesting… So Black Stag Archers was originally formed by members of Oakfield Archers! How did Jamie progress with his archery?”

BSA prospered and grew, attracting both junior and adult members. Jamie joined and went on to represent Redbridge, Essex, and BSA in various competitions. We got to know many archers by taking Jamie to external competitions and by helping out at BSA. When Jamie went to university, he gave up archery, and then Lois and I did a BSA beginners' course.

“Ah, you took up the family mantle… Brilliant. How was the course, and did you both then get the archery bug?”

We were the only two beginners on the course. I bought equipment and took up archery, but Lois didn’t. BSA continued to grow and members were encouraged to enter external comps, as well as achieve personal milestones via club comps. I was always keen for personal development but, due to work commitments, I did not travel to or take part in external comps. Back then, BSA shot indoors one night per week.

“I do find it very rude of work to get in the way of one’s archery! You were lucky to have a venue to shoot indoors. Where was that?”

Firstly, at a school in Goodmayes, which we shared with another archery club, and lastly, at Valentines High School in Gants Hill. The latter's hire charge was affordable, and other club members and I thoroughly enjoyed a couple of hours of midweek shooting. Unfortunately, the school handed over the hiring facility to an outside company, and the charges became too expensive for the club to bear, causing attending numbers to drop. So, BSA gave up the hire, which I and others regretted, but it became financially unviable.

“Many others at our club and I feel your regret. It would be very nice to have an indoor venue where we could shoot… especially weekday evenings. After revisiting your wonderful journey, what have you learned from your years of archery experience and your time at BSA?”

I have always enjoyed my archery and appreciate I’ll never be first class, or anything close, but I have always thought that enjoying what you do is as important as excelling. Unfortunately for me, I’m not shooting at present, but I hope to do so again soon. I do enjoy being Field Captain at club shoots and beginners' courses, as well as maintaining the field. I believe that currently BSA is as strong as it’s ever been, with good leadership, strong membership numbers, and sold-out beginners' courses resulting in even more members. I hope that this continues so members, including myself, can enjoy archery!

Barry “Bassa” Rockhall, BSA Field Captain.

“What a great message to newcomers to archery; enjoy what you are doing. Thank you for sharing your archery journey Barry. I am not speaking alone here when I say that you are an integral part of our club. The dedicated work and hours you put in tending to the field ensures that we (the club members) always have a great shooting experience. This is immensely appreciated, and we Salute you, Captain Bassa!”

Until next month, happy shooting.