Eighteen members of the Flurian Archery Club (Air Force Base in the Northern part of South Africa) participated in the World Field Archery Competition (WFAC) held at Thabazimbi, South Africa July 10-14, 2000. The competition was organised by Loet Smit from the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). The first three days of the competition was the Africa Regional Field Archery Competition (ARFAC).

During the ARFAC the club earned 7 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronz medals. The three du Plessis kids, Lourene 14, Alzanne 9, and Ihan 10, all improved the Africa records in the Junior Female Bowhunter Unlimited (JFBU) and girls/boys Cub Recurve Bare Bow Classes, respectively.

During the WFAC competition, shot over 5 days, the Flurian club members were presented with 7 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Seven world champions (3 in class A and the rest in classes B and C). The du Plessis kids did it again and all three got gold in class A in their respective styles. Alzanne, the youngest, improved all the world records in the Cubs Recurve Bare Bow style. Three world champions in one family and Mom and Dad (Compound Bowhunter Unlimited archers) still have some catching up to do! The other gold medalists are Mariaan Alberts, Senior Ladies Bowhunter Unlimited, Class B, Thelma Thomas, Senior Ladies Bowhunter Unlimited, Class C, Annatjie Venter, Senior Ladies Recurve Bare Bow, Class C, and Andre Kok, Senior Men Recurve Bare Bow, Class C.

The club is alive and well and when you visit South Africa, please pay us a visit at Air Force Base Louis Trichardt in the Northern Province.

See you at the next world championships in Scotland 2002.

Colonel Johan du Plessis

email: stokess@mweb.co.za