Representatives of Dick’s Sporting Goods were on hand Friday, to present a $10,000 grant to Oak Glen Middle in support of the school’s archery program. Pictured during the presentation were, in front from left, Emily Bowersox and Bentley Shaw, and in back, Dick’s representative Kelly Valvo, Oak Glen Middle coach Robert Conant, Oak Glen Middle coach Jennifer Hardy, Dick’s Field Marketing Manager Jim Famularo, and Oak Glen Middle Principal Derek VanDyke. (Photo by Craig Howell)

NEW MANCHESTER – A grant from a national retail outlet will help a group of Hancock County students as they continue to hit their targets.

Representatives of Dick’s Sporting Goods visited the Oak Glen Middle School campus Friday morning to present a contribution of $10,000 in support of the school’s growing archery program.

“We’re very proud of this program,” said OGMS Principal Derek VanDyke.

Only in its third year, the middle school program already has 27 students participating, according to teacher and coach Jennifer Hardy.

“It’s introduced to every student in the school in fifth grade,” she said, explaining full participation on the team currently includes sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders.

The grant will be put toward the purchase of new equipment and safety measures. The school currently uses space in its gymnasium and cafeteria as practice areas for the team, setting up large, vinyl curtains to offer additional protections. Other students aren’t allowed entering those areas during practice sessions.

“It’s the safest sport in the schools,” said Robert Conant, teacher and coach.

Hardy noted, in order for the program to be able to accept more students, additional coaches are needed, and there are certifications needed through the state to be able to serve in such a position even though the sport is only played on a club level at the moment.

Oak Glen High School also has an archery program in place, and will receive a share of the funding from Dick’s, school officials noted. There are 18 students on the high school team, which is in its second year.

Funding for the grant comes from the Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation’s Sports Matter program, which was created to support efforts to allow under-resourced schools, community teams and 501-c-3 organizations in providing opportunities for youth to play sports.

According to Kelly Valvo and Jim Famularo, representatives of Dick’s who were on hand for the presentation, the grants typically are provided through community donations.

“It’s a great program,” Valvo said

Hardy offered appreciation to Chase Vandine, an Oak Glen alumnus and district manager for Dick’s Sporting Goods, for his support in obtaining the grant, as well as Rick Thomas, who coaches archery in the Ohio County Schools system, for his assistance in establishing the program at Oak Glen.

Eventually, they said, their goal is to see the archery program expand to Weir Middle and Weir High School, and host tournaments of their own with other schools in the region.