Shetland Archers Fly to Falklands for Tournament
Three archers from Shetland have set off on an 8,300-mile journey to compete in the inaugural North v South event in Stanley.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Tennis
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Dylan Murphy, Katie McFarlane and Shane Anderson left Shetland for the Falkland Islands, a trip of around 8,300 miles that includes an 18-hour flight with a refuelling stop at Ascension Island. They will compete in the inaugural North v South archery tournament in Stanley against Falkland Islands archers.
Why it matters
The tournament brings together archers from Shetland, Orkney and the RAF Archery Club with Falkland Islands competitors. The new sports facilities are hoped to attract more visiting teams for future competitions.
The journey covers around 8,300 miles with an 18-hour flight from the UK, refuelling at Ascension Island and landing about 30 miles south of Stanley. Archers will shoot indoor range competitions up to 25 metres on Wednesday and outdoor range distances up to 90 metres later in the week.
The players
Bill Chater
Bill Chater of the Falkland Islands won gold in the men's recurve head-to-head event at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney.
Billy Finnie
Billy Finnie won silver with Katie MacFarlane in the mixed recurve head-to-head event at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney.
The details
The three Shetland archers left home on 6 November 2026 and are flying to Mount Pleasant airport. Falkland archers have been shooting at the Gold Centre in Stanley, an indoor sports hall used mainly for archery, indoor bowls and cricket, since August 2026.
Timeline
6 November 2026: Shetland archers leave for the Falklands.
8 November 2026: The 18-hour flight from the UK begins.
August 2026: Falkland archers start shooting at the Gold Centre in Stanley.
Wednesday of tournament week: Indoor range shooting up to 25 metres.
Season Trajectory
The inaugural North v South event follows the island-based archery competition held at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney. It extends that model into a new format hosted in the Falkland Islands.
The tournament pits Shetland, Orkney and RAF Archery Club visitors against Falkland Islands archers across indoor and outdoor ranges. Archers will also take part in an outdoor field archery competition featuring 3D animal targets.
The takeaway
Island sports events can build lasting exchanges between distant communities, as the new facilities in Stanley aim to attract more visiting teams.
Further reading
For more competition coverage, see our Tennis section.
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