Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

3D ARCHERY

Two local archers preparing for World Archery Championships in Italy next month

Aug 19, 2022 | 2:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — They say the archer is the true weapon and the bow is just a long piece of wood. A pair of archers from the local area are preparing their long pieces of wood for a trip to Terni, Italy to take part in the World Archery 3D Championships from September 4 to 10.

Miranda Sparkes and Marc Britton are preparing for the World Archery 3D championships in Italy with a little friendly competition on a Thursday night.

“Marc and I live an hour apart, and it’s so nice to have him around because he is a wealth of knowledge,” Miranda says. “Just having someone who is also on the team and you can practice together — everyone knows what each other is going through. Honestly, it’s so helpful.”

3D archery consists of archers walking a course with a set number of three-dimensional targets, trying to put up a high score.

Two and Out

PETERS: NDP, Conservatives still desperate for power in Victoria

May 30, 2025

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: May 29, 2025

May 29, 2025

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Dealing with one of life's toughest decisions

May 29, 2025

“It’s a lot more fun than shooting paper circles,” Marc says. “You go for a little walk-around, hang out with your buddies, shoot bows and arrows in the woods. What is there not to like about that?”

Each got their start in the sport in different ways.

“My wife and I were looking for something to do together,” Marc explains. “It was originally, I think, to get rid of my — not get rid of, but I had a fishing obsession. Now I just replaced the obsession with another one.”

Miranda had a chance encounter with the man who is now her coach, who convinced her to give the sport a try.

“He’s a very talkative and social guy, and he convinced me to come up to his archery range one night,” she explains, walking between targets. “I made my sister come with me because I don’t want to do anything by myself. So I went up to the range; I kind of needed a hobby at the time. I guess it found me?”

Marc competes in the barebow category, while Miranda shoots longbow. Both competed in the National Championships in PEI earlier this summer, where both archers earned gold medals in their respective categories.

“It’s not a very expensive sport to start,” Miranda says. “The club has gear you can try out with, and once you have the equipment, I mean… the cost of doing it is pretty nil.”

There’s an online fundraiser to help offset the costs of a trip to Italy for the archers, who continue to make their final preparations for the event.

For Marc, the real reward is the relationships you build around the fire after the arrows stop flying.

“It forces you out. You know, you’re going out every weekend and you’re hanging out with these little villages of archers around campsites and it’s great fun,” Marc says. “I have a great time doing it.”