Abbey Edge Grove Junior Tournament
Junior Only Tournament
The initial idea for a junior only tournament came from the late Peter Newbery, sometime Chairman of Abbey.
The team trophy was named in his honour in recognition of his efforts in helping juniors and in getting the organisation for the tournament under way as a means of celebrating Abbey Bowmen’s 40th anniversary. Edge Grove School, under Julian Craxton, became involved as they wanted an event to give their juniors more experience. The first competition took place on 4th November 2007 and was open to all juniors.
Francesca Spelzini Memorial Trophy
From 2012 the tournament incorporated the Francesca Spelzini Memorial Shoot. This was first held on 30th May 2010 as a memorial to Francesca Spelzini, a junior member with Asperger’s Syndrome who tragically died, aged 18, in 2009. The outdoor shoot was organised by her friend Mary Perrott, who was also an Abbey member and a junior GB archer. Francesca’s father Paul donated a silver platter engraved with the words ‘Francesca Spelzini 1991-2009 Memorial Shoot’, to be awarded annually to the junior Recurve archer with the highest score. After the organisers left the area it was decided to incorporate the shoot into the Abbey Edge Grove Tournament, which seemed very fitting as it is solely for junior competitors.
