Date: 02/12/10
Contact: Doug Nielsen
Phone: (702) 486-5127 x 3500

SCHOOL KIDS TO TAKE THEIR BEST SHOT AT STATE ARCHERY TITLE

School kids from as far away as Fallon, NV will soon line up to take their best shots at becoming part of history when competition begins at the first-ever Nevada National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championships Feb. 18 at the Riviera Hotel Casino. Hosted by the Nevada Department of Wildlife, this tournament is the culminating event for Nevada schools participating in NASP.

Team registration is slated to begin at 8:30 a.m. with competition to follow at 9:30 a.m. The award ceremony will follow the last flight at about 12 p.m.

NASP is an archery education program designed to be part of a school’s physical education curriculum and is tailored for grades four through 12. However, in the Clark County School District the program is currently limited to students in the sixth grade or higher. Participants in the program not only learn international-style target archery, but also about archery history, safety, technique and equipment. Students also learn the importance of mental concentration, core strengthening, physical fitness and self-improvement.

“This is an exciting time for us and a huge step for our fledgling archery education program. We have seen tremendous growth in this program already,” said Chris Cheff, a former teacher and now archery education coordinator for NDOW. “Archery is one of the few sports that anyone can participate in regardless of their physical size or limitations. And with a curriculum that meets the National Physical Education Standards, NASP is about much more than shooting arrows.”

NDOW first introduced the National Archery in the Schools Program to Clark County schools in September 2009. Since that time, 41 teachers representing nine middle schools and six high schools have been trained as NASP instructors. Ten of those schools now offer NASP as part of their physical education curriculum and the others soon will be. Since its inception in 2002, NASP has expanded from its home state of Kentucky to include school districts in 46 states, four Canadian provinces, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Educators from England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain and the Philippines have also expressed interest in the program.

“Our initial focus with Nevada NASP is Clark County, but we have already received inquiries from schools in other areas of the state. One of those is schools is Numa Elementary in Fallon. The instructor is so excited about the program that he drove all the way to Las Vegas to attend the mandatory training,” said Cheff.

Teachers who utilize the NASP curriculum as part of their class must first complete an eight-hour Basic Archery Instructor Training regimen. Students shoot the Genesis Bow, which can be used by shooters of all sizes and ages without having to alter the bow when the shooters change. And since the program uses a specially designed arrow curtain as a backdrop, all shooting can be safely done inside a gym or similar location.

Lanes for the Nevada NASP State Championships are being provided by the National Field Archery Association, which is hosting its World Archery Festival at the Riviera Hotel beginning the next day. Awards sponsors include members of the Las Vegas Woods & Waters Club, Fraternity of the Desert Bighorn and Molly Maids.

The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) protects, restores and manages fish and wildlife, and promotes fishing, hunting, and boating safety. NDOW’s wildlife and habitat conservation efforts are primarily funded by sportsmen’s license and conservation fees and a federal surcharge on hunting and fishing gear. Support wildlife and habitat conservation in Nevada by purchasing a hunting, fishing, or combination license. For more information, visit www.ndow.org.