Celebrate • Inspire • Lead

Every year on March 8th, the world celebrates International Women’s Day—a moment to honor the achievements of women and girls, and to accelerate gender equality. For 115 years, this day has sparked change globally. Now it’s archery’s turn to shine.

At Archery NZ, we believe sport is a platform for change. With 36% of archers worldwide being women, we have tremendous momentum. But there’s more work to do: only 17% of federation presidents are women, and leadership roles remain underrepresented.

This is where you come in. By organizing an International Women’s Day event at your club, you’re not just celebrating—you’re creating visibility, building community, and opening doors for the next generation of women archers.

The good news? You don’t need to do it alone. We’ve gathered everything you need: proven event models, step-by-step planning guides, budget templates, role breakdowns, and real examples from clubs like Auckland Archery Club who’ve already led the way.

Why Host an IWD Event?

Celebrate achievements: Honor the women and girls in your club and community
Build visibility: Get your club and sport in front of local media and audiences
Strengthen community: Create inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome
Drive change: Increase participation, leadership, and opportunities for women
Have fun: Create lasting memories and genuine joy for your members

The Theme: #GiveToGain

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #GiveToGain. When we give to our sport and to the women in our sport, we get far more back than we put in. The return is profound—stronger clubs, more engaged members, better leadership, and a sport that reflects the diversity of our communities.

What You’ll Find Here

IWD Planning Toolkit

A comprehensive guide covering the why and what of International Women’s Day, including global context, gender equity statistics in archery, themes, and ideas for celebration styles.

World Archery IWD Toolkit for Archery

Official resources from World Archery, including guidelines, social media assets, photography tips, and media engagement strategies.

2025 Auckland Archery Club Operations Manual (Example)

A real-world case study featuring event schedule, volunteer roles, health & safety protocols, and media relations.

Role Breakdown & Budget Templates

Ready-to-use templates including a role matrix and budget planner,

Quick Planning Guide

Know your club’s history and define your purpose
Choose your event format (fun shoot, tournament, festival, or hybrid)
Pick your venue and date (March 8 or nearby weekend)
Build your volunteer team with clear roles
Create a simple operations manual to track everything, see the resources section for an example
Reach out to sponsors and local media
Brief your volunteers and launch your promotion
Run your event, capture stories, and celebrate!

Keys to Success

Make it culturally meaningful — Honour local history and indigenous cultures
Ensure true inclusion — Welcome women, girls, gender-diverse participants, and male allies
Capture your story — Take photos and videos for media and social sharing
Repeat your message — Use social media, local networks, and word of mouth
Share your impact — Send us your photos and stories—we’ll collate them and share with World Archery

Real Example: Auckland Archery Club 2025

What they did:

7:30 AM — Women’s dawn shoot in costume
9:00–11:00 AM — Youth archery sessions (run by women coaches)
12:00 PM — Lunch picnic
1:00–3:00 PM — Women’s tournament with prizes
3:30 PM — Shared food and celebration
Team: 8 volunteers in clear roles
Results: 40+ participants, national media coverage, established as a legacy event

Next Steps

Download the resources — Learn about IWD, templates and role breakdown, learn from a real event
Gather your team — Find 1–2 people to help plan
Set a date — March 8 2026 is a Sunday
Share your story — Send photos and stories after your event to Archery NZ