An archery program is on its way to the Brewton Middle School. The Brewton City Council supported $10,000 in funds to jump-start the program earlier this year. Funds will be disbursed this month with a start of the program aimed for late fall or early winter.

Brewton Middle School principal Madelyn Cave said she hopes this is the first phase of a program that can have potential in growth in the school system.

“As students gain interest and improve their skills, a club or maybe even a team can be formed,” Cave said.  “A club could utilize the E.O. Wilson Park for practices and even invitational competitions.  An archery team has a few more guidelines that would need to be in place according to rules and regulations of competitive archery, but it is a possibility that I hope we are able to explore.”

Cave said the idea was brought up between herself, Brewton City Schools Superintendent Kenneth Varner and Brewton mayor Yank Lovelace.

“With the development of the E.O. Wilson Park’s archery range, we saw an opportunity for our students in the community,” Cave said.  “We do have several students who probably bow hunt in the area, and maybe even have done some target shooting on their own. 

“We felt that teaching an archery unit in the middle school would give more students the opportunity to try something new, learn how to safely use archery equipment, and develop skills in aim and shooting arrows.”

Cave proposed the idea to the city council in the spring. $10,000 will be used to purchase materials and supplies to implement the archery program through physical education classes in grades fifth through eighth. The request included the bows, arrows targets and safety netting. 

Cave said she approached the council because BMS could not afford to purchase all the materials to get the program started.

“It has been a long time since our students have had bows and arrows in their hands at Brewton Middle School, and any remaining equipment from those units was broken or needed replacing.”

Cave said. “I believe once the program gets started, maintaining the equipment and replacement costs will be more manageable to sustain the program.”

As a safety precaution the arrows will not have arrowhead ends. Also permission forms will be sent home to the student’s parents to give their consent for their child to participate.

“Before any arrows are knocked or any bows are drawn, safety guidelines, rules and procedures will be in place for students,” Cave said.  “We want students to enjoy this opportunity, but they must learn to respect this as a sport.”