The Virgin Islands Field Archery Federation (VIFAF) marked a major milestone with the successful hosting of its first Outdoor Field Championships at Paraquita Bay from April 10–12, 2026.
The three-day event tested archers across multiple disciplines, beginning with the Field Round on April 10, followed by the Hunter Round on April 11, and concluding with the Animal Round on April 12. Each round challenged competitors with varying distances, target styles, and shooting conditions—hallmarks of field archery that demand both precision and adaptability.
The championships attracted not only local talent but also international participation, adding prestige and competitive depth to the event. Visiting archers were Sherwin Francis, President of the Field Archery Association of Trinidad and Tobago, and veteran United States archer Julie Robinson.
This event represents VIFAF’s first Outdoor Championships and its third major hosting effort as a federation, following the successful staging of the David Abednego Cup Indoor Championship (October 2025) and the 2026 VI NASP Nationals (March 2026). The continued growth highlights the federation’s commitment to developing archery within the Virgin Islands.
Competition Highlights and Results
In the Adult Male Freestyle Unlimited category, Sherwin Francis delivered a do
minant performance, securing first place with a total score of 1505 and maintaining his A classification. Local archers Kerry Ottley (1358) and Xavier Buxo (901) followed.
In the Adult Female Freestyle Unlimited division, Ritseeniyah Georges-Buxo led the field with a strong total of 1320, also maintaining her B classification.
Julie Robinson, competing in the Veteran Female Longbow category, demonstrated her experience with a total score of 677. Her showing was a treat to local archers who never saw the longbow in action. While this score does not reflect her best in the Field and Hunter Round, she exceeded her record by 64 points in the animal round. Julie was happy for the experience of shooting under these conditions and the trip to the Virgin Islands for the first time. As she stated at the end of the competition, “this was a brutal course”, a compliment for Field Archery.
National Junior Archer, Ava Ghiorse, impressed in the Junior Female Freestyle Recurve category, finishing with a total of 783 and earning her first classification at the C level. Fellow first-time field competitor Kerry Ottley also received his initial B classification, marking an important step in his development in the sport.
Looking Ahead
VIFAF President Reuben Stoby expressed satisfaction with the event, noting both its significance and the challenges overcome in bringing it to fruition.
“I am happy that we were able to complete our first outdoor championships. We did have some difficulties finding a suitable location. We wish to thank the Department of Agriculture and the management of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College for allowing us to use their lands at Paraquita Bay. We look forward to hosting more of these with greater participation from local archers,” he said.
Mr Stoby also disclosed that hosting the championship was crucial for the VIFAF to be considered for full membership by the International Field Archery Association (IFAA).
With its first outdoor championships now successfully completed, VIFAF is poised to expand its calendar and continue building opportunities for archers across the territory. If this event is anything to go by, field archery in the Virgin Islands is just getting warmed up.
The federation extends heartfelt appreciation to Walkers, and Mr. Rentals for their sponsorship of the event. Appreciation is also extended to Shoot Tru Archery Supply for their assistance in acquiring some of the targets used for the competition.