news

We are saddened to report that Joan McDonald, who exploded on to the Canadian recurve archery scene in the early 1960s, has lost her battle with cancer.

Joan was a fierce and talented archer who won an astounding number of national championships over the years, and went on to become an influential coach, administrator and mentor, both at the provincial and national level.  A fervent Olympic supporter, she was Canada’s Olympic Team coach 5 times.

She leaves behind her 2 dedicated sons, David and Christopher, and her life partner Gary Gillies, and all of those who worked with her over all the years.  Memorial services will be planned for the summer, but it was her fervent wish that everyone stay safe from Omicron and not come together at this time.  We will post more information when it becomes available.

We are saddened to relay information from Peter Garrett that Ted Ladelpha, our passionate barebow archer over the past 20 years, did not survive a heart attack on January 21st, 2021.  South Nation Archery Club extends its condolences to Ted’s family and friends.

Ted was famous for his opinions, but also for the wonderful roasted turkey he would bring every year to our SNAC awards banquets.  He was generous to our SNAC members, and Larry E. Smith and Kathy Millar remember him fondly.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Heart & Stroke Foundation.

Violet was born in Jedburgh, SK on August 28, 1936. Her family moved to Yorkton when she was four years old, where she attended elementary school and Yorkton Collegiate for high school. In her youth she was involved with the United Church Youth Club and C.G.I.T and eventually became troop leader. Violet earned her teaching degree at Moose Jaw Teacher’s College in 1955.

In 1972, Violet and her husband Atley moved to a quarter section of land just east of Regina on Highway #1, where they lived and set up their archery business. She was involved daily in its operation.  Violet also participated in archery tournaments and collected a large number of trophies. She taught elementary school at Burke School in Yorkton and Pilot Butte Elementary School.

In 1974, Violet retired from teaching to work full-time in their archery business. In 1996 they built a lodge north of Norquay, where they spent their summers and ran an outfitting business. Violet was a great cook and grew a huge garden at the lodge.

Violet passed away peacefully in Sun City, Arizona (her winter home with her husband since 2001) on Tuesday, February, 27, 2018.

Wisconsin’s Norb Mullaney, a legendary archery engineer and equipment evaluator, died Oct. 22 at age 94. Mullaney is in the Archery Hall of Fame and Museum, as well as Safari Club International’s Hall of Fame.

Mullaney served nearly two decades as chairman of the Technical Committee for the Archery Manufacturers and Merchants Organization, the forerunner to the Archery Trade Association. His committees established unprecedented consistency and exactness for the industry’s manufacturing guidelines.

His work was instrumental in the long-term improvement of archery equipment and standards.  His analysis column in the most widely-read magazine in the industry was always interesting, gently critical of imperfections, and educational.

It is with sadness, but with many fond memories, that we must relay the news that Adam Wicks died on Friday, August 19th at Winchester District Memorial Hospital of heart failure.

Adam grew up in our archery lanes and was an active participant in house leagues, tournaments, and was an OFSSA archery representative for North Dundas District High School.  Also, he was an enthusiastic bowhunter.

He was in the same grade as our daughter, Amanda, when they attended Inkerman Public School together and they remained friends over their lifetime.  We will miss him.

Archery Canada presents annual awards, including the Hank Wiseman Coach of the Year Award.

Kathleen Millar is the 2015 recipient.

Al Wills, Archery Canada President, is presenting on August 6, 2016 in Peterborough, Ontario.