Archery event to bring some 1,400 shooters to Newberry

NEWBERRY – Newberry will be hosting an event like no other in its history beginning Friday. This weekend will mark a milestone for the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex as some 1,400 archery shooters are expected to participate in the Archery Shooters Association’s (ASA) Easton Florida Pro/Am. The event will be the first major event hosted by the City of Newberry.

 

Dough Engh, executive director for the National Alliance for the Development of Archery (NADA), said the annual event has historically been held at the Gainesville Raceway but was moved to Newberry because of the enhanced facilities now available. Although the complex includes a gym and an indoor archery training center, Engh said the ASA event will be held outside on some 60-acres of woodlands and trails that adjoin the center.

 

The Gainesville Sports Commission assisted the ASA in locating the competition in Newberry. The ASA will be running the event. Most of the participants are expected to seek accommodations in Gainesville hotels and others may connect their campers at the Canterbury Equestrian Showplace in Jonesville.

 

“This event is going to bring about 1,400 shooters and their families. The entire complex is booked, the ball fields are being used for parking and the gym will house a tradeshow.

 

“Some of the top money shooters in the country will be out competing for the cash prizes,” said Engh.

 

Shooters will be practicing and qualifying Friday and Saturday. Major competitions are set to begin on Sunday, Engh said.

 

Newberry has been filling the calendar for the Easton-Newberry Sports Complex. On Feb. 13^th and 14^th, 4-H will be hosting a statewide archery tournament, which Engh expects to bring between 200 and 300 children. In the weeks to follow, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) will be hosting a National Archery in Schools Program for area school children.

 

More information about the complex can be found at eastonnewberrysportscomplex.com