Longbow Championship
This event used to be known as the Kent Longbow Tournament, but it was upgraded to championship status to acknowledge the considerable growth in interest in the traditional English longbow in recent years. The normal date for the tournament is the 3rd. Sunday in May.
The event is organised and run by a Tournament Organiser who is elected to the KAA Operational Committee each year at the Association's AGM.
The title of "Champion" is awarded separately for senior ladies, senior gentlemen and juniors; the last is a single combined category, because the number of juniors taking part has normally been too small for separate gender/age groups to provide meaningful results.
Of course only a member of the KAA can compete to become a Kent champion, but visitors from outside of the county are always welcome. It is important to note that only archers affiliated to ArcheryGB or another FITA member association are eligible to shoot at this event.
Full details are available in the Association's Championships and Tournaments Policy and relevant information is also included in the entry form.
Rounds
The event consists of two traditional British 6 dozen National rounds, the first being shot during the morning and the second after the customary break for lunch; results are based on the combined scores for the two rounds. All competitors shoot the same distances, regardless of gender and age and, importantly, the entire event is shot under ArcheryGB rules in one direction, because of safety considerations. Because of this, it is not currently possible to include members of the BLBS, unless they are also members of ArcheryGB.
Very occasionally the event may be reduced to a shorter round or even curtailed early because of weather conditions - but this is rare, because mere wind and rain are shrugged aside by these hardy individuals. However in severe conditions all awards (including championships) are still presented provided that some shooting has been possible, but are based on the shortened event.
Venues
In common with most county associations, the KAA does not own a permanent tournament ground so over the years this tournament has been held at a number of locations in the county:
| 2007 - ...... | Gravesend Archers' ground, Meopham | (map) |
|---|
Results
Results of recent tournaments are available for download:
Champions
A full list of past and present champions is available in our Hall of Fame.
Trophies
The Association's trophies are all awarded on the basis that they must be returned in time for the following year's tournament. In most cases the trophy is accompanied by a medal, which the winner is entitled to keep in perpetuity.
Kent Awards
Individuals
- Kent Longbow Plaque [Most Hits - Gentlemen]
- Kent Longbow Plaque [Most Hits - Ladies]
- Kent Longbow Plaque [Highest Score - Gentlemen]
- Kent Longbow Plaque [Highest Score - Ladies]
- SCAS County Champion's Medal [Gentleman]
- SCAS County Champion's Medal [Lady]
Teams & Couples
At present the only awards for teams or couples are awarded on an "Open" basis.
Visitors' Awards
Few archers from outside of Kent have generally taken part in this tournament, so until numbers grow a little, only medals will normally be provided as awards.
