Dave Henshaw, an 83-year-old archery coach from New Zealand, cannot quite articulate the fascination of the sport. Despite coaching archers to Olympic events, transforming his club into a diverse and thriving community, and receiving a King's honour for his services, he remains enchanted by archery's curiously addictive qualities.
"When you pick up a bow and start shooting, there's just something about it," Henshaw says. "Don't ask me what it is – I don't know."
As groups of archers shoot outdoors, Henshaw describes the wide range of people he has trained and worked with over more than 50 years at the Christchurch Archery Club on New Zealand's South Island. They include athletes with disabilities, teenagers not drawn to team sports, and Olympians.
A Legacy of Inclusivity
Henshaw coached renowned New Zealand archer Neroli Fairhall to gold at the 1982 Commonwealth Games, after she had won gold at the 1980 Paralympics. Shooting from her wheelchair, Fairhall made history by competing at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Henshaw has since guided others to shoot at the Olympics and Youth Olympic Games.
At the elite level, Henshaw emphasizes that a top coach must read body language and sense when an archer is too tense. He earned the nickname "Yoda" for his adapted version of the Jedi master's catchphrase: "Do or don't do. There is no try." However, Henshaw quips, "I used to say to people that the only similarity between Yoda and myself is I've got wrinkled skin."
Community and Self-Worth
Archery is fundamentally about community and the self-worth it instils in anyone who picks up a bow, Henshaw explains. He recalls working with a shy young newcomer who kept dropping his head and avoided eye contact. "So I thought, 'OK, I'll see if I can help you,'" he says. Years later, that formerly timid novice returned to the club, now running his own business, and credited his time on the range with transforming his mindset.
Adapting to individual needs is key to the club's success, says Henshaw, whose club has 150 members. "We've just got to keep thinking outside the square for people that are different." Archers can choose from a variety of shooting styles, from the traditional wooden longbow to more sophisticated Olympic-style bows.
Newcomers and Rising Stars
Karen Redpath, 65, picked up a bow for the first time last year after years of watching and supporting her niece. "There'd hardly ever be a day when someone wouldn't come up to me and say, 'When are you going to have a go?' So finally I did, and I just love it." She enjoys the physical challenge and the club's volunteer spirit, which reminds her of the ski clubs she once belonged to. "It's as much about the people and the atmosphere as it is about the sport," she says.
In 2020, the club's future seemed uncertain after the council considered not renewing the lease due to safety concerns and growing membership. But last year, the club secured a 33-year lease and developed an indoor facility for winter training. They are repaying supporters' faith by introducing local students to the sport and providing some free coaching. It is one of the few archery clubs in Christchurch, a city of about 400,000 people.
Club president Graeme Robb echoes Henshaw's sentiments on archery's addictive qualities and its ability to attract all-comers, including those turned off by other sports environments. "Archery is great for your mental health," he says, "because you can concentrate on the shooting and forget your troubles and your inhibitions." Though it can seem an individual pursuit, archers are often quickly drawn into a community, observing etiquette such as retrieving arrows together, which builds communication and teamwork.
Olympic Aspirations
Julia Harrison, 26, is one of the club's rising stars. Just back from a World Cup event in Shanghai, she tested her technique and mental toughness against Olympians and professionals. "I was able to keep calm and go through my process and make the strong shots that I knew I needed to make," she says. Seeded 55th, she advanced through early rounds to shoot against the 10th seed. Working with Australian coach James Gaze, Harrison is targeting qualification for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
Other young talents include Mieke Nel, 15, and 16-year-old Jacob Schouten, who both medalled in April's World Archery Oceania Target Championships, despite competing in the under-18 category.
The club's twin emphasis on competition and camaraderie is evident during the Dave Henshaw Classic, a five-day tournament renamed in honour of Henshaw's service. A world-registered event, it attracts top archers from around the country. But away from the shooting line, there is a companionable hum of music and chat among archers and supporters. Inside the clubrooms, long-time volunteer Danni comes not to shoot but to help with administrative duties, keep the meat pie warmer hot, and ensure everyone feels included. "It's just a really big family," she says. "That's archery."
