RANKIN INLET
A new archery club is quickly gaining momentum in Rankin Inlet.

The club was started by Marc Williams, 29, who moved to Rankin a little more than three years ago.

Kulula Napayok zeros in on his target under the instruction of Marc Williams at the new archery club in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Williams has been into archery for nine years.

He shot strictly target for the first five years, before starting to actually hunt.

Williams said he began seriously thinking about looking for grant money to start the club 18 months ago.

He said he was put in touch with Rankin rec co-ordinator David Clark, and things took flight from there.

"I submitted a funding application to the Government of Nunavut's Sports and Recreation Division earlier this year and it came through," said Williams.

"The department funded the archery club 100 per cent.

"We had to purchase targets, a backdrop, bows, arrows, and even the lumber to build the stands."

Williams said a number of the bows he purchased are ideal for range shooting.

He said both their draw length and weight range are incredible.

"They can go all the way up to the draw weight somebody who's been doing archery for 10 to 15 years might be pulling.

"And they're easily handled by the teenage girls and some very small young men we've had out, as well.

"We were able to purchase some fairly high-end stuff, ranging from about $150 to $300 per bow."

The archery club runs on Tuesday (youths) and Thursday (adults) evenings at the Simon Alaittuq School gym and is open to anyone, whether they have their own equipment or need to borrow the club's.

Williams said since the archery club has only been going for about a month, it's hard to say how popular it will become.

But, he said, the initial response has been excellent, with the bows having to be traded-out on youth night to accommodate everyone.

"We had some money left, so, seeing the response, we ordered more bows, which should be here this week.

"The club's growth will, probably, be determined by word of mouth.

"But we're almost at capacity now, so it's off to a good start."

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