69th Annual International Archery Tournament with Nottingham, England
The 69th Annual International Archery Tournament between Sherwood, Oregon and Nottingham, England (first established in 1956) is a unique and treasured tradition, produced in Oregon by the Sylvan Archers. The Summer 2024 tournament is planned July 20-21, 2024 tentatively at Sherwood High School, 18800 SW Haide Road (JV Baseball Field - Follow Signs).
Click here for 2024 Sylvan Archers Save the Date Flyer Visit the Sylvan Archers Tournaments Page for registration information for 2024. Pre-registration is not mandatory, but recommended, as shooting space is limited. The 2024 tournament divisions are anticipated to be senior recurve, junior recurve, compound, longbow and barebow. Additional divisions will include master recurve, master compound, master longbow and master barebow for those archers fifty years of age or older. An award will also be presented to cadet, junior compound, junior longbow and guest archers. |
Archery Tournament History
In February 1956, the President of the Robin Hood Festival Association of Sherwood, Oregon issued an archery challenge to the yeomen of Nottingham, England. The archers would come from the entire Northwestern part of the United States. In order to cement their bond with the people of Nottingham, England, Sherwood sent 50 redwood oak trees as a living memorial.
In March 1956, England accepted the challenge and immediately started working out the details. The rounds would be a double American 810. Each round would be 90 arrows at the distance of 60, 50 and 40 yards, and would follow the F.I.T.A. equipment rules. In July 1956, a picture of the silver Tiffany bowl trophy, which the Sherwood Robin Hood Festival Association donated to the International Robin Hood Match, was sent to Nottingham, England, along with rules on how they were going to communicate during the shoot. Both competitions were to happen on the same day, but due to time differences, England was shooting eight hours later. This was the first competition. The Mayor of Sherwood has sent a challenge every year since. The silver Tiffany bowl was engraved by Mr. Stefans Bercs’, a master Engraver. Mr. Bercs’ reputation is worldwide. He is known for engraving for the Court of the Czar of Russia and other notables. In the 1980's, the tournament changed to a double 900 round a perfect Score 1800, and the four person Compound team was started. In the 1990's, the compound team was changed to an eight person team. The four person Longbow team was also started. There was also a renewed interest in the Junior four-person team. In 2013, four member master recurve, master compound and master longbow divisions were added. In 2019, four member barebow and master barebow divisions were added. Individual archers on all teams receive a medallion from both Sherwood and Nottingham. |