Adopt-a-Cub Archery Programme
The NW-AGA Adopt-a-Cub Programme, launched in 2026, is a mentorship and development initiative that pairs volunteer high-school archers from Hoërskool Rustenburg with young Cubs from Laerskool Vastrap. With the support of the schools’ coaches and BAIs, the programme gives young archers additional guidance through weekly practice sessions. It helps Cubs build confidence, improve technique and develop important archery skills, while also encouraging friendship, teamwork and support both on and off the range. At the same time, the high-school mentors develop valuable leadership, responsibility and mentoring skills while helping to grow the next generation of archers.
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Get Involved and Bring Adopt-A-Cub to Your School!
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Growing Skills. Building Confidence. Creating Connections.
The Adopt-a-Cub Archery Programme is an initiative launched and run by AGA North West to support the development of young archers through mentorship, structured practice and meaningful connections between older and younger participants.
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The programme brings together volunteer high-school archers from Hoërskool Rustenburg (RHS) and young Cubs from Laerskool Vastrap, with the support and involvement of the schools’ coaches and qualified BAIs. Together, they create a safe, encouraging and structured environment in which young archers can learn, practise and grow.
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The programme focuses on archers in Grades 1–3, with each Cub paired with a volunteer RHS archer from Grades 8–12. Each high-school archer mentors one or two Cubs, creating a small and supportive training partnership where younger archers can benefit from individual attention, encouragement and guidance from someone they can look up to.
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The pairs practise together on a weekly basis, while the coaches and BAIs remain actively involved in guiding the sessions, monitoring progress and supporting both mentors and Cubs. Their experience helps ensure that correct techniques, range procedures and safety principles are reinforced throughout the programme.
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Through regular practice, the Cubs are given additional opportunities to improve their shooting technique, consistency, focus, confidence, range discipline and overall archery skills. The high-school archers are able to share their own experience and knowledge while helping their Cubs work towards personal goals and develop at their own pace.
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But Adopt-a-Cub is about much more than what happens during practice.
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Through regular interaction, the archers form genuine friendships and mentoring relationships. The older archers become familiar and supportive faces for the Cubs at practices and competitions, encouraging them both on and off the range. Coaches and BAIs further strengthen this support system by providing guidance, encouragement and technical assistance throughout the Cubs’ development.
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For the younger archers, having a mentor who knows them, supports them and celebrates their progress can help build confidence and make both training and competitions more enjoyable and rewarding.
At the same time, the programme gives the high-school volunteers an opportunity to develop valuable leadership, responsibility, communication, patience and mentoring skills, while giving back to the younger generation of archers.
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Through this NW-AGA initiative, the combined involvement of archers, coaches and BAIs from both schools creates a strong development pathway where experience and knowledge are shared, confidence is built, friendships are formed and young archers are encouraged to reach their full potential.
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Experience shared. Confidence built. Friendships formed. One Cub at a time.
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