The Dearne Valley Archery Club was founded in 1957 by captain V W York of Wombwell, along with his daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Des Carr. The first members, who also played a major part in building the club were a group of people who were John Seddon, Rex Billington (our late lamented President) Des Askin and his wife, Abbey Spooner and David Mallinder.

With dedication and enthusiasm the club prospered over the next few years and some on the members started to win first local, then county and finally national competitions. Some members also were chosen for the team to represent the UK in the first World Field Archery Championships at Valley Forge in the USA in 1969.

Through the years we have had 9 different members of our club represent Great Britain in Field Archery which leaves us in joint 1st place in the GNAS Field honours board for the most club members to represent GB. Also on the honours board, DVAC is in 1st place for the most members of one family from one club to represent GB in Field Archery.

Since 1968 DVAC have hosted competitions for people around the UK to enter and take part. Dearne Valley mostly host Field Archery shoots which are very important to the profits that we gain and also to the people trying to get scores to represent the country. Our competitions are ‘record status’ and ‘team selection’ shoots that are held every year and are very well known to the field archers around the UK. The shoot that we host is called ‘The Easter shoot’, obviously because it is held over 2 days at Easter.

In 2012 we had our first Olympian in the club who shot for Team GB in the London Olympics.