The annual Archery GB Recognition Awards celebrated the outstanding contributions of individuals across the country, and the Kent Archery Association proudly saw four of its dedicated members honoured for their unwavering commitment to the sport: Deb Horn, Sean Fortune, Mark Davis, and Ajay Scott. Their awards highlight the depth of talent, volunteering spirit, and high performance across the county.
Deb Horn and Sean Fortune: Clickers Working with Young People, Club Award (Winner)
Deb Hornand Sean Fortune were recognized for their extraordinary work with youth archery, securing the Clickers Working with Young People, Club Award. Their efforts are centred around her vital roles with Arcus Archery and the Ebbsfleet Academy Junior Archers.
This award specifically acknowledges the immense value of volunteers who dedicate their time to making archery accessible, engaging, and developmental for younger generations. Their work ensures that junior archers not only learn the technical skills of the sport but also benefit from a supportive club environment that fosters growth, enthusiasm and has shown to directly reflect in the students academic achievements too. The commitment to setting up and sustaining successful junior programmes has made a tangible difference in getting more young people involved in archery and developing the next generation of competitors.
Additionally Debs received a Highly commended in the coach of the year award, an award that Debs won outright last year.
Mark Davis: Outstanding Services to Judging Award (Joint Winner)
A true stalwart of the sport, Mark Davis received the prestigious Outstanding Services to Judging Award. Mark’s recognition is a testament to his decades of service, dedicating countless hours to officiating, mentoring, and upholding the rules of archery at all levels.
Mark has been a dedicated figure within Kent archery for years, contributing significantly to local and regional tournaments, alongside his national judging commitments. Receiving this high-level award underscores his professionalism, knowledge, and consistent willingness to volunteer his expertise. Judges are the backbone of all competitions, ensuring fair play and consistency, and Mark’s long tenure and exceptional dedication make him a deeply respected figure in the officiating community. Sadly after over 50 years of judging Mark is retiring at the end of 2025.
Ajay Scott: Performance Award: Courage Team Member of the Year (Winner)
In the Performance categories, Ajay Scott was celebrated with the Courage Team Member of the Year Award. This award is presented to a member of the GB Performance team who demonstrates exceptional courage, resilience, and determination in the face of significant challenges, both on and off the field of play.
While the Performance Awards focus on those who represent Great Britain at the highest levels, the Courage award highlights the inner strength required to succeed. Ajay’s success in earning this recognition is a proud moment for him and his family.
The success of Deb Horn, Sean Fortune, Mark Davis, and Ajay Scott at the national level serves as an inspiration to clubs and members across Kent, affirming the powerful community spirit and dedication that underpins archery in the region.
Get ready to mark your calendars! Allington Castle Archers is thrilled to announce that they will once again host the Kent Archery Association Indoor Championship on Sunday, February 15th, 2026. Join us at the Market Hall, Lockmeadow, Maidstone, for what promises to be a fantastic day of competition as archers from across the county vie for the indoor titles. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or aiming for your first county medal, this is the premier indoor event of the season. Ensure you secure your spot promptly, as entries are exclusively accepted via the attached official entry form. We look forward to seeing you on the shooting line!
Invicta Coaching is being revitalised with the goal of supporting both coaches and archers across Kent. Our efforts are focused on providing guidance, development opportunities, and fostering a renewed sense of community among local archery clubs. The initial restart of this initiative took place at Fox Archers, and we will be trying to expand our visits to more clubs throughout the coming year.
Upcoming Coaching Sessions
We are pleased to announce three upcoming coaching sessions, all of which will be held at Sittingbourne School, Swanstree Avenue, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4NL. The scheduled dates are as follows:
Saturday, 17th January 2026
Saturday, 21st February 2026
Saturday, 21st March 2026
Each of these days will feature two separate sessions. These sessions are designed to provide opportunities for experienced coaches to offer their expertise to coaches and archers to improve their skills. Further details on the structure of each session are attached.
How to Get Involved
We invite both coaches and archers to participate in these sessions. If you are interested in assisting with coaching or would like to take part as an archer, please contact Bryn Jones via email at chair@invictaarcherycoaching.co.uk. Additionally, we encourage everyone to share this information within their own clubs to help spread the word.
Further Communication and Costs
The cost for attending a coaching session as an archer is £20.00 per session. Where possible, we recommend that coaches attend all three days if they can and archers attend a session on each day (three sessions over the three months). This continuity ensures that you are either coached by or coaching the same individual throughout, supporting consistent development and progress.”
Look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.
This document is intended to set out the qualification and selection procedures for the association’s representative teams. TEAM SELECTION 1 Introduction 1.1 The aim of the selection procedure is to produce the strongest representative teams. 1.2 To identify the best archers, the selection committee assesses ability, consistency, commitment and big match temperament. 1.3 This assessment is made on the basis of submitted scores and/or achievement at International level (if notified). 1.4 Scores must be submitted in the electronic format as directed by the County Team Manager. No other submission method will be accepted. 2 Qualification 2.1 Archers selected for National Teams (GBR/England/Wales/Scotland/Northern Ireland) who have not met the score submission criteria, will still be eligible for selection in the relevant discipline, during the calendar year of their representation, provided they notify the Team Manager of their wish to represent the county. 2.2 The Selection Panel will consider scores that meet the following criteria:- 2.2.1 Eligible rounds – Outdoor Target Men a) York b) WA 1440 90m c) WA 720 50m 80 Compound d) WA 720 70m 122 Recurve/Longbow e) WA 720 50m 122 Barebow f) Other rounds Women a) Hereford b) WA 1440 70m c) WA 720 50m 80 Compound d) WA 720 70m 122 Recurve/Longbow e) WA 720 50m 122 Barebow f) Other rounds Juniors a) Age appropriate Bristol Round (as defined by AGB rules) b) Age appropriate 1440 Round (as defined by AGB rules) c) WA 720 50m 80 Compound d) WA 720 70m 122 Recurve/Longbow e) WA 720 50m 122 Barebow f) Other rounds
2.2.2 Eligible rounds – Indoor Target a) WA 18 Metre b) WA 25 Metre c) Portsmouth 2.2.3 Eligible rounds – Field a) WA Marked 24 b) WA Unmarked 24 c) WA Mixed 24 d) WA Combined 48 e) EFAA Expert f) EFAA Hunter g) EFAA Field 2.2.4 Minimum Standards of Rounds 2.2.4.1 All submitted scores shall be shot at Record Status Events or Kent League Matches, the following qualifying standards and will be graded in the following order: a) World Ranking Events b) World Record Status c) UK Record Status/WA Arrowhead d) Kent League Match e) County representative matches 2.2.4.2 Club Target Days/Practice rounds are NOT acceptable.
3 Submission of scores 3.1 Only scores above B2 will be considered. 3.2 Archers are required to submit a minimum of 3 scores within the current season to be considered for selection, archers with less than this will only be considered when all archers who meet the full criteria have been contacted. Where the event is at the start of the season, scores from the previous season will be considered. 3.3 For the avoidance of confusion, the Outdoor season is defined as March to October. The indoor season from September to April. 3.4 All submitted scores must be accompanied with a link to the results document. 3.5 Scores must be submitted via the online via the Google Form. No other submission method will be considered. https://forms.gle/jRVKXxTYeYoipd2k8
Closing dates for submission: County Indoor Match (Usually end of Feb) – Closing date 31 st Jan SCAS Inter-county (Usually August) – Closing date 30 th June National County Team Tournament (September) – Closing date 30 th June. (This early date is to ensure teams are identified and can be entered in time) SCAS Field (Likely to be June) – Closing date 30 th April Summer Field Match (Likely to be July) – Closing date 31 st May
Intercounty matches – these dates for both senior and junior are not confirmed. Details will be published on KAA Website and Social Media.
4 Team Selection 4.1 The Records Officer/Team Manager will collate the scores submitted at the published closing date. 4.2 The Selection Panel will then rank the archers based on the round shot, scores submitted, the event status and the number of scores submitted. 4.3 In the case of field, preference will be given to those archers submitting scores for field rounds before target scores are considered. 4.4 Where the full team cannot be selected from the archers who meet the selection criteria the following will be considered: a) Those archers with less than 3 scores for the current season b) Those archers who have submitted 3 scores across the current and the previous season c) Juniors may be selected where they have met the criteria d) For the case of Field, those archers who have reached the criteria for target who the selection panel consider experienced enough to compete at field. 4.5 Junior Archers reaching the standard for Senior Teams may be selected above seniors if they have better qualifying scores. 4.6 The Team Manager will contact those archers selected along with the reserves (from the KAA Team Manager email) and request a response regarding availability. 4.7 The final team and details of the event will be communicated not less than 2 weeks before the event date.
It is with the greatest sadness that we have to announce the passing of Derrick Lovell MBE.
For so many of us, Derrick wasn’t just a colleague, a mentor, or a friend; he was a pillar of the archery world, a man whose passion and dedication helped shape the sport we love.
There are so many achievements of note in Derrick’s life, but still, I think Derrick’s greatest and proudest moments would be to see those he helped achieve their goals.
The Early Days: Passion and Dedication
Derrick’s journey into the heart of archery was a long and distinguished one. Even before he began his judging career in 1976, he was an experienced tournament organiser, already running the challenging Kent County tournaments with up to 72 targets.
He embarked on the demanding path to become a judge, a process that in those days took many years. His hard work paid off when he achieved the title of National Judge in 1986.
Derrick’s true heart lay in Field Archery. His passion was so great that he pursued and achieved National status in both Field and Target judging, this was in the days when Field judging required a separate set of qualifications from target archery judging, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to every facet of the sport.
The International Stage: A Respected Figure
Derrick’s expertise could not be contained within national borders. His career reached its pinnacle in 1993 when he travelled to Cyprus, passed the rigorous exam, and became an International Judge.
He quickly became a well-known and respected figure, officiating at prestigious tournaments around the world. His legacy on the global stage is remarkable. It includes:
Chair of Judges at the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
Chair of Judges at the World Field Champs in 1996.
Officiating at the World Games in 1997, 2001, and 2009, and the Target World Champs in 1999.
He didn’t just apply the rules; he helped write them, serving for many years on the World Archery Field and 3D Committee, and continuing his work on the Rules and Constitution Committee.
When the age limit required him to retire from his international role in 2009, he was rightly honored with the title of Judge Emeritus. Even after his retirement from judging for World Archery, when World Archery needed someone to help on the Constitution and Rules committee, who did they call, Derrick Lovell.
Nurturing the Sport at Home: Mentorship and Leadership
Derrick’s work within the UK was equally transformative, demonstrating his profound dedication at local, regional, and national levels. His passion for archery was evident not only through his tireless efforts with officials but also in his significant contributions to the sport’s governance.
A true leader, Derrick served with distinction as President of Archery GB, the highest honouree office in our national governing body. His tenure at the helm saw him guide the sport through crucial periods, leaving an indelible mark on its direction and development across the nation.
Before and during his national roles, Derrick was also a bedrock of support for grassroots archery in Kent. He dedicated many years to the Kent Archery Association, serving as both its President and its longest serving Chairman. Through these pivotal roles, he fostered local talent, strengthened the county’s clubs, and ensured the healthy growth of archery within the region he called home.
Beyond these high-profile positions, Derrick’s commitment to fair play and professionalism shone brightly through his long service as the SCAS Judge Liaison Officer (JLO).
For many years, he was fundamental in moving judging forward across the country, building a strong, professional body of officials that upheld the integrity of the sport.
He dedicated decades to governance, serving on the National Judge Committee (as it was called then) from 1986 until 2015. Even after retiring as JLO, he was a constant source of support, running training sessions and conducting countless judge assessments. His expertise in Field Archery training was invaluable to the SCAS judges, ensuring a high standard of officiating.
Recognition outside of the sport.
In Queen Elizabeths 2011 birthday honours list, Derrick was awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire). The citation read “For voluntary service to Archery.” When you read all that he has achieved and given to the sport you can understand why such an honour was bestowed. He never sought out such accolades but was deeply touched by it.
His true legacy
Derrick’s true legacy, however, lies in his role as a mentor. He helped and encouraged so many judges throughout his career; his impact is truly incalculable. His dedication created a lasting dynasty of excellence. We see this brilliantly reflected in the career of one of his protégés, World Archery Judge Hannah Brown, who followed in his footsteps to become a respected international judge, chairperson of the World Archery Field and 3D committee, she has recently been elected to the Constitution and Rules committee. Hannah also achieved the distinction of being the first female Chair of Judges at an Olympic Games (Tokyo 2020). As Hannah recently shared, “If he hadn’t have told me I could do this judging malarky, I would never have started.”.
The Heart of the Matter: Field Archery
We must always remember that Field Archery was Derrick’s passion. He was instrumental in developing this challenging, beautiful side of the sport, truly making it what it is today. His amazing knowledge and experience in Field and 3D are still fondly remembered by judges worldwide.
There are a few judges in the UK who have a similar passion for field archery as Derrick did, why is that, well Dericks’s passion was infectious, when he retired from judging in the UK he said, “I can retire now as I believe we have a team that will carry on with the standards I set”. The last time we saw him at a field event, he was Lord Patron at Fort Purbrook Bowmen where further accolades from SCAS and World Archery were bestowed amongst those he held highest, one of those judges, Paul Clark, delivered a touching speech, thanking Derrick from his archery children, the judges that he mentored in Field Archery, for all the guidance and support he gave to bring us to that point. He received a long, standing ovation from all present. This was the only time I saw Derrick unable to hold back a few tears.
Derrick receiving his life membership from SCAS president Bob Beaney
Derrick, your integrity, your wisdom, your tireless service, and your deep love for archery have left an indelible mark on all of us and on the sport itself.
We owe you a huge debt for all you have done for judges, for judging, and for Archery as a whole. Your work is done, but your legacy lives on in every judge you trained, every rule you refined, and every arrow that flies true on a field course.
Thank you, Derrick. Rest in peace.
Funeral details will follow when we have the information. His family have requested no flowers instead donations should be to the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance via the Just giving link. https://www.justgiving.com/page/derrick-lovell-1944
The moment many of you have been waiting for is finally here! The Invicta Coaching Group is thrilled to announce our plan for moving forward, and we’re kicking things off with our very first club-based coaching day.
We’ve already reached out to everyone who asked to be kept in the loop, and now we want to extend the invitation to archers across the region.
Join Our First Coaching Day!
We’re launching our new programme with a full day of coaching at Fox Archers. This is a fantastic opportunity to sharpen your skills, break through plateaus, and get personalized advice to help you achieve your archery goals. We’d love to see as many of you as possible there!
Where: Fox Archers (St. Michael’s School, Otford, Sevenoaks TN14 5RY)
When: Sunday, August 24, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM
Format: There will be a morning and an afternoon session, with each one lasting approximately 2.5 hours.
Cost: £20.00 per session.
Bring Invicta Coaching to Your Club
Want to host a coaching day like this at your own club? We’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with us directly, and we can look at our calendar to see when we can fit you in. It’s a great way to provide a top-tier development opportunity for your members.
What’s Next? Winter Indoor Sessions!
Our plans don’t stop when the weather turns. We are excited to announce that we will be setting up monthly indoor coaching sessions at a central location from January to March next year. These will also run as a morning and afternoon session each day.
The core philosophy of all our coaching is that it revolves around you. Whether you’re preparing for a competition or just want to improve your form, each session is designed to help you with what you want to achieve.
We will be sending out more information with confirmed dates and venues for our winter programme as soon as they are agreed. Stay tuned!
Following the selection submission deadline and a meeting of the Selection Committee and ratified by the KAA Committee on 1st July, Kent will not be sending teams to the SCAS Intercounty and the National County Team Tournament.
The submissions from archers of 2025 scores did not provide enough archers to make a full team. Scores for 2024 were then considered and still there were not enough archers eligible for selection and we could not form a full team.
In the coming months the Team Manager will be consulting archers to try to establish the barriers to submission and whether the current process is fit for purpose.
Please look out for further communications and respond so that all of your thoughts and ideas can be considered.
This years Field Championships are being held on the 19th / 20th of July at Ashford Archers Priory Woods course. it is a 2 Day WA24 Mixed round with the option of shooting just one day.
