Statewide student archery tournament Feb. 27 in Bartow

For immediate release: Feb. 18, 2016
Media contact: Gary Morse, 863-648-3852

Photos available on FWC Flickr site: Go to https://flic.kr/s/aHsjUN2sXB.

Suggested Tweet: Watch the best of #youth in #archery at tourney! https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/1374057 #Florida @MyFWC

Statewide student archery tournament Feb. 27 in Bartow

The 2016 National Archery in the Schools Program Florida State Tournament, under the direction of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), will be held in Bartow on Feb. 27. Admission is free.

NASP is a cooperative effort between the FWC and the Florida Department of Education, with more than 400 Florida schools participating.

The ninth annual tournament will be conducted in two formats: a live tournament that will take place at Bartow’s Carver Recreation Center, 520 Idlewood Ave. S., and a virtual tournament for schools whose students cannot travel.

“The virtual tournament allows students to shoot for a score at their own school. Their results are entered into a database where both live and virtual tournament scores are compared,” said the FWC’s Steve Robbins, coordinator for the statewide tournament.

Winners will be announced in three divisions: elementary, middle and high school. Trophies will be awarded to the top three schools in each division and to the top boy and girl shooter in each division, with a Genesis bow presented to the top overall male and female shooter. Every participant, whether shooting in the live or the virtual tournament, will receive a T-shirt and a certificate.

“Archery is a great sport that helps build muscle endurance, flexibility, hand-eye coordination and grip and body strength. You don't have to be able to dunk a basketball to participate,” Robbins said. “Girls, boys and those with physical impairments can compete with each other.”

In addition to the competition, there will be activities for competitors, parents and friends attending this free event, including an outdoor aerial archery game. For competing student shooters who wish to participate, there is an additional 3-D archery range competition with prizes that include bows provided by Bear Archery.

Central Sports Marketing, a local partner in the event, will be promoting other area attractions by distributing discount ticket offers.

For additional information on the tournament, click on MyFWC.com/NASP.

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GM/SWRO WBD