Ava Ghiorse, top left, of Cedar International School and Ethan Ismael, top right, of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School emerged as the Overall Top Female Shooter and Overall Top Male Shooter when the 2026 National Archery in the Schools Programme (NASP) National Championships were held at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

While 76 archers initially registered, 69 ultimately competed in the Bullseye Competition, while 9 participated in the NASP 3D Competition. Photo: VIFAF

Scholarship winners in the Girls Division for the 2026 National Archery in the Schools Programme (NASP) National Championships on March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

Ava Ghiorse of Cedar International School won the 2026 NASP 3D Competition in the Girls Division. Photo: VIFAF

Oshane Mason of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School won the 2026 NASP 3D Competition. Photo: VIFAF

The 2026 National Archery in the Schools Programme (NASP) National Championships were held at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

From left: Robyn Stoby, Grade 5, of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School was the winner in the Elementary Girls Division, while LeJaun Scatliffe, Grade 6, of BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, won the Middle School Boys Division. Photo: VIFAF

Archers from Ciboney School of Excellence. Photo: VIFAF

The Jost van Dyke team at the 2026 NASP Nationals. Photo: VIFAF

The archery team of St George's Secondary School at the 2026 NASP Nationals on March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

Archers and coaches of the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School. Photo: VIFAF

Basic Archery Instructors (BAIs) at the 2026 National Archery in the Schools Programme (NASP) National Championships were held at Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

Some of the officials at the 2026 NASP Nationals on March 8, 2026. Photo: VIFAF

While 76 archers initially registered, 69 ultimately competed in the Bullseye Competition, while 9 participated in the NASP 3D Competition.

Amazing Ava!

After four flights of shooting in the Bullseye Competition, Ghiorse recorded an impressive 268 points, including 12 tens, 9 nines, and 6 eights. This score also placed her as the top overall archer, amongst boys and girls, for the competition.

Ghiorse was also one point shy of a perfect 50 on one of her flights.

Simora Donovan of Elmore Stoutt High School was second with 237 points, while Malia Connell of St George's Secondary School finished third, with 233 points.

Excellent Ethan

On the boys’ side, Ethan Ismael claimed the title of Overall Top Male Shooter with a score of 264 points, including 8 tens, 13 nines, and 5 eights.

Ismael’s score saw him defeat some of the more experienced archers.

Valentin Zahrebelnyj of Ciboney Centre for Excellence was second with 257 points, while Nicholas Moore, also of Ciboney Centre for Excellence, finished third (244 points).

Scholarship shootoff!

The top 5 shooters for both Girls and Boys Divisions received a Top Shooter plaque, medal, and the opportunity to compete in the Scholarship Shoot-Off for cash prizes.

The Scholarship Shoot-Off Round saw each archer shooting one end (five arrows) at 15 metres to determine the scholarship winners.

In the Girls Division, Connell upset Ghiorse to capture the top scholarship purse of $2100.00.

Ghiorse won $1500.00, and Simora Donovan received $1,080.00.

Fourth and fifth, respectively, were Alleina Potter ($720.00) and Kellyann Tillack ($600.00).

First for Boys was Valentin Zahrebelnyj ($2100.00), while second was Henry Clifton ($1500.00) and third was Sheylon Brown (1,080.00).

Fourth and fifth, respectively, were Ethan Ismael ($720.00) and Nicholas Moore ($600.00).

Archers also competed within their respective divisions: Elementary (Grades 4–5), Middle School (Grades 6–8), and High School (Grades 9–12).

The top male and female archers in each division were awarded Genesis Championship bows, trophies, and medals.

The top three archers in each division were:

Elementary Girls (Only 2 competed)

1st - Robyn Stoby, Grade 5, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 168 points

2nd - Vivian Van Dijk, Grade 4, Cedar International School, 154 points

Elementary Boys

1st - Jeilon Donovan, Grade 5, Jost Van Dyke, 204 points

2nd - Dexter Jr Donovan, Grade 5, Jost Van Dyke, 161 points

3rd - Remington Pickering, Grade 5, Jost Van Dyke, 142 points 

Middle School Girls

1st - Alleina Potter, Grade 7, Cedar International School, 214 points

2nd - Renea McLaughlin, Grade 8, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 188 points 

3rd - Emma John, Grade 7, Ciboney Centre for Excellence, 186 points

Middle School Boys

1st - LeJaun Scatliffe, Grade 6, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 232 points 

2nd - James Clifton, Grade 6, Cedar International School, 206 points

3rd - Ka'Ori Augustine, Grade 8, St. George's Secondary School, 194 points

The NASP 3D Challenge

The NASP 3D Challenge, which was offered for the second consecutive year at the National Championships, was conducted in a single flight. 

Unlike the Bullseye event, where archers shoot at standard target faces, the 3D competition requires archers to shoot at life-sized three-dimensional animal targets placed at varying distances. This format tests an archer’s ability to judge distance, maintain proper form, and adjust aim for different target positions.

The top three shooters received medals and scholarship awards of $750.00, $450.00, and $300.00, respectively.

The results of the NASP 3D Competition were as follows:

Boys

1st - Oshane Mason, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 215 points

2nd - LeJaun Scatliffe, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 199 points

3rd - Jeilon Donovan, Jost Van Dyke, 168 points

Girls

1st - Ava Ghiorse, Cedar International School, 236 points

2nd - Simora Donovan, Elmore Stoutt High School, 197 points

3rd - Sade Samuels, BVI Seventh-day Adventist School, 119 points

Prizes were presented with the help of representatives from Mungo Lowe, a private sponsor, Kobre & Kim (BVI) representative and Mrs Shania Smith for Caribbean Security Limited.

The 2026 NASP National Championships were held in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Field Archery Federation (VIFAF).