Welcome
JAMA is the junior section of Archery New Zealand and was formed more than 20 years ago to help cater for young archers in New Zealand. Before JAMA was formed in New Zealand all juniors no matter what their age competed against one another so a 17 year old stood beside an 8 year old shooting for the same trophies and medals. JAMA was formed to make junior archery a much fairer system and now has 5 different age divisions from Kiwi (under 10) to Junior (under 20).
JAMA has their own Maori Motto; Mo Te Uri O Te Waa.
This translated means; Our Young Are Our Future.
Monthly Postal Shoots
JAMA involves young archers in New Zealand by holding postal shoots which are shot each month (except for December and January) at local clubs.
Each month a different round is shot. From May to September, we use an indoor round, at distances from 11m-18m. From October to May, we use the closest outdoor FITA (or JAMA) distance for each age group.
These shoots are held at each individual club and the highest score shot each month are sent in to the JAMA convenor who co-ordinates the scores. Certificates are presented to the first 3 placing of each division. Results can be found on the Postal Round page of the website.
Junior Tournaments
Individual clubs host tournaments during the year solely for JAMA.
The North or South JAMA Championships are outdoor tournaments which are held over 2 full days usually in February or March and have, for the past few years, been held in Rotorua for North Island, and in Christchurch for the South Island. These outdoor tournaments are shot from various distances for juniors’ relevant ages. The youngest - KIWIS (U10) can shoot from as close as 15 metres while the older JUNIORS (U20) can shoot as far as 90 metres.
These Tournaments are particularly important for those aspiring for Trans-Tasman Team selection:
South Island JAMA Champs
North Island JAMA Champs
JAMA Indoor tournaments have also been held in the winter months at indoor locations. These indoor tournaments are shot from a distance of 18 metres into smaller target faces.
Badges and awards
Pinscores
JAMA also have pinscores each month, with the indoor and outdoor monthly shoots. Pinscores are scores which juniors strive to achieve and are looked on as a great achievement.
When you have gained 3 pinscores indoors, or 3 pinscores outdoors, you may claim either an indoor or an outdoor pinscore badge at a cost of $10. You may only claim one pinscore per month (per division.) Perfect Pins JAMA perfect pins are also available for juniors competing at major outdoor tournaments at their relevant FITA or JAMA outdoor distance or above.
JAMA outdoor perfect pins can be claimed if all 6 arrows shot in one end for either of the 2 further distances are in the gold area, or if all 3 arrows shot in one end for either of the 2 closest distances are in the 10. There are 10 different distance perfect pins that can be claimed.
JAMA Badges
These badges are available to be claimed from Major tournaments, at their relevant FITA or JAMA outdoor distance or above. Based on the archers total one day score. Badges available for 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1350, and 1400.
All Badges cost $10, claim forms on the website and must be accompanied by the original score sheet. (For more information on relevant distances for age groupings please click onto the age division link on this page).
NZ Junior teams
Juniors have the opportunity to trial for NZ Junior teams to compete against other juniors from around the world. Each archer must meet the required criteria to be considered for any teams.
Trans Tasman
Every second year Archery New Zealand selects a junior team to compete against Australia. This competition is called the Trans Tasman. Please check the link on this page for more information.
This is a self funded event of which is located either in New Zealand or Australia on a rotating basis. The next event is in 2014, to be held in Australia.
Junior World Archery Championships
Every second year juniors have the opportunity to trial for the Youth Worlds which is also a self funded event which is held within the host country. Please follow the link to see the criteria.
This is a prestigious tournament featuring elite junior archers from around the world. The next event is in 2013 in China.
Any JAMA Archer wishing to be considered for any team, are asked to write to the board of Archery New Zealand stating their intention, well prior to the event. Scores from their relevant distances are monitored over the qualifying period and the board of Archery New Zealand then select from these juniors, a team.
Qualifying criteria can be found here
Check out the new "Youth Zone" on the World Anti Doping Website
... some great information for kids and parents, plus some interactive games... http://www.wada-ama.org/Education-Awareness/Youth-Zone/
How do I find out more about junior archery?
Most archery clubs in New Zealand have a JAMA section. Please click the JAMA Contacts link - this will give you the name of your local archery clubs JAMA contact. They will be able to give you all information regarding becoming a member of Archery New Zealand and JAMA.
For further information please contact the National JAMA Convenor.