By USA Archery
With a grant from the National Veterans Sports programs and Special Events Office, Move United and USA Archery were able to partner to support efforts in hosting in-person trainings for archery instructor certification and programming for disabled veterans.
The trainings took place at four Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers – in Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri and West Virginia – as well as one Move United member organization.
Recipients obtained a USA Archery Level 2 Instructor Certification, equipment kit and program materials, as well as information on USA Archery adaptive archery resources, para classification and more.
Darren Yowell, recreation specialist at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center in West Virginia, said, “We are always looking for ways to expand adaptive sport activities for Veterans. The grant provided equipment and training that we used to start an archery program that has been very well received.”
The Level 2 Certification course was led by Jonathan Clemins, the USA Archery Paralympic Head Coach.
“Having these opportunities to train recreational therapists is really beneficial for our sport,” Clemins commented. “In adaptive archery, especially at the developmental level, recreational therapists can play a key role in laying a foundation of fundamentals. They help a lot of archers overcome initial challenges and introduce proper techniques that we can later build on as the archer progresses.
“What really stood out was the therapists' passion and commitment to their clients. They weren't just there to learn the basics and move on. They were fully invested in understanding archery and adaptive equipment. Many of them asking questions to meet the unique needs of a particular client they had in mind.
“They were excited to practice techniques, build equipment, and even shoot on the range with a mouth tab that they built and put on the bow. They know the impact archery could have on the people they work with, not only as a therapeutic outlet but as a gateway to so much more.”
That ability for archery to provide “so much more” was echoed by Darren Yowell, as he explained, “For many years, we have been active with the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and the National Veterans Golden Age Games. These competitions help veterans get excited about their own rehabilitation journey, which is very positive. Archery fits very well as an adaptive sport and the interest veterans have shown in participating has been excellent.”
Move United is the national leader in community-based adaptive sports, with over 230 member organizations in 45 states. USA Archery’s partnership with Move United will continue to lay the foundation for creating new opportunities for people with physically disabilities to recreate, compete, and possibly represent Team USA at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, and beyond.
Yowell concluded, “There is tremendous value in adaptive sports. Through them, veterans achieve rehabilitative goals that increase their independence, well-being and social engagement. These things are invaluable to a veteran’s overall health.
“In addition to the physical benefit, all adaptive sports provide and tangible psychological benefit, structure and improve the quality of life of the participants.”
For more information on USA Archery programming check on the links below:
