Background & History
ProArchers began on 29 March 2019 as a discussion group for people who wanted to learn about archery in and out of Guyana. It is now the largest archery club in Guyana and one of the fastest growing in the Caribbean.
- Founded
- 29 March 2019
- Members
- More than 250
- Reach
- More than 2,000 Guyanese introduced to archery, in all 10 administrative regions, free of cost
How it started
In October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the founders began free practical training on private land in Windsor Estate, East Bank Demerara, at the request of the New Eccles Policing Group. Families, stay-at-home parents, young people and school leavers soon joined, and the club needed a bigger ground and more equipment.
With approval from the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, ProArchers started a free weekly programme at the Guyana National Stadium. We have trained through rain, mud, heat and sunshine with committed archers ever since.
Milestones
- 2019: ProArchers forms on 29 March.
- 2020: Free practical training begins at Windsor Estate.
- 2021: Registered with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport in July.
- 2022: Recognised in November as a club that can take part in World Archery sanctioned events under Archery Guyana.
- 2023: ProArchers coaches become the first USA Archery certified Guyanese coaches, with authority to certify athletes and to sanction and host Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor Certification practical courses. Read the Guyana Times report
- 2024: ProArchers coaches help start archery in schools under the Ministry of Education’s National Priority Programme in January.
- 2025: ProArchers becomes the sole Guyana dealer for Sanlida archery equipment, and members win medals at home and across the Caribbean.
- 2026: The ProArchers archery shop opens at Eccles New Scheme, and members train for the Caribbean Developmental Championships, hosted in Guyana for the first time.
Who we train
Most members are young people, some still in school and some who have left, along with persons living with disabilities. They come from villages across Guyana, including Industry, Enterprise, Lusignan, Better Hope, Eccles, Diamond, Linden, Buxton, Soesdyke, Annandale, Berbice and Essequibo. Visitors from overseas often join our sessions too.
Where we train
On Saturdays, Sundays and weekdays in Lusignan (Lusignan Community Centre Ground), East Bank Demerara (Eccles New Scheme), Georgetown (St. Joseph’s High School) and Linden. See the training schedule.
Past regular grounds include the Guyana National Stadium, the National Racquet Centre, Bladen Hall Multilateral School, the Guyana National Service Ground, the Golf Ground on Woolford Avenue, Better Hope Community Centre Ground and the Georgetown Cricket Club Ground at Bourda.
How the club is funded
ProArchers is not for profit. It is mostly funded by its two founders, with contributions from members and the public that buy equipment and keep training free for children and villages. The Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport has also supported the club with equipment and funding.