Coffee, tea and targets: Cape Breton Barn Archers offer women new way to connect
Barn Archers set to establish ‘ladies-only’ night for each Wednesday, starting April 15
Author of the article: By Published Apr 07, 2026, Cape Breton Post
Please find the original article by following the link: https://www.saltwire.com/cape-breton/cape-breton-club-designates-relaxing-weekly-gathering-for-women-archers-only
Bridget Benz, left, points to a sign at the Cape Breton Barn Archers' facility at French Road in support of women archers. Benz is joined by, from second from left, Elsie MacKinnon, Karen Cann, Petra Engelhardt, Olivia Williams and her mother, Jennifer Williams. IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
Call it a girls night out — albeit one that comes equipped with some bows and arrows.
More importantly, for women looking to attend a weekly gathering of archery fun at Cape Breton Barn Archers, it’s a way for them to not just partake in a sport but also a great way to relax, focus, and connect with other women.
“I still think that archery is a male-dominated sport, and they’re not doing really enough stuff for females,” said Bridget Benz, owner, coach and range safety officer at the indoor archery facility in French Road, between Marion Bridge and Gabarus.
“So I thought it would be a good idea to have a place where we would have a (weekly) ladies night — not in a kind of a competitive way, but one where women can come out once a week if they don’t want to shoot, and they can have a coffee, tea or a chat, and enjoy a space to relax with other women around.” Of course, women would be encouraged to partake in some archery fun, she said.
“But it’s up to them,” Benz said.
Front row, from left, Karen Cann, Olivia Williams and Bridget Benz; back row, from left, Elsie MacKinnon, Judy Abbass, Jennifer Williams and Petra Engelhardt, all gather together to talk about Cape Breton Barn Archers’ weekly ladies-only night, set to begin on April 15, 6-8 p.m., and continue each Wednesday. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST
WEEKLY LADIES-ONLY NIGHT
Cape Breton Barn Archers will begin hosting its weekly ladies-only sessions on Wednesdays starting April 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the 21 Joanne Langford Dr. facility.
Within the 100-by-24-foot single-floor facility Benz and her husband Joe Macholl built four years ago, the two wanted to create as much of a welcoming atmosphere for not just women participants but also geared toward young and old — especially families looking for a fun atmosphere while trying out or honing their bow-and-arrow skills — and all levels of archery skills.
Benz noted that women make up about 48 per cent of the Barn Archers’ membership. From her perspective, more women are picking up a bow and discovering that archery is not just about competing for who can best reach a faraway target.
‘THE ART OF SHOOTING’
She believes it helps build strength, balance and co-ordination, while simultaneously encouraging calmness, patience and mental focus.
“For me personally, it is all about the art of shooting,” Benz said. “It’s not about competition at all. It’s to learn shooting. It doesn’t matter what traditional bow I like to use when I’m on my knees or when I’m just standing, I try to learn shooting — that’s my own goal.
“Other people are different, but this is what I love about that sport — to figure out new stuff and try crazy things and whatever.”
Benz herself only got involved with archery in 2017, initially as a backyard hobby but later upping her skills once she found a club to join.
She said she wanted to partake in a sporting activity she could do with her husband. She tried rifle and pistol shooting at a gun range facility in Halifax, which also happened to offer archery lessons. “I was hooked right away,” Benz said. “And I just liked something simple — just a (traditional) bow, an arrow and Bridget. And focus, of course.”
Cape Breton Barn Archers owner Bridget Benz, from left, and Elsie MacKinnon of Sydney watch Karen Cann and her husband, John Cann, of John’s Archery prepare to shoot targets during the 2022 grand opening of the facility at French Road, between Marion Bridge and Gabarus. Photo by IAN NATHANSON/CAPE BRETON POST FILE
FAMILY ACTIVITY
For Jennifer Williams and her 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, the love of archery began as a family activity.
“We came out on a July 1 weekend, when they had an open house here,” said Jennifer, who grew up in the community of Big Ridge, near Marion Bridge. “So we just came to check it out, because we were all out visiting my mom on Canada Day. My husband (Anthony) fell in love with it, and so the three of us decided to do it as a family.”
“We tried only a few arrows at first, but we wanted to come back and learn how to do it,” Olivia added. “We found it a lot of fun.”
That coincides with Barn Archers’ philosophy for the ladies-only sessions: “We often hear women say, ‘I’m not strong enough,’ or ‘I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable shooting in a group,’” according to the archery group’s news release. “The truth is (this:) archery is for everyone. You don’t need a certain level of strength or experience — just a willingness to give it a try.”
Cape Breton Barn Archers also teamed up with Louisbourg-based John’s Archery to provide training and support for all levels of archery — specifically, traditional archery, which just involves using a wooden bow, arrows and what he described as an 11-step technique to ensure the safest use of all the equipment.
‘MALES GOT US INVOLVED’
Karen Cann, whose husband, John, set up their training facility, said their interest in archery stemmed from a trip to Punta Cana.
“We were away on holidays, and he started shooting a bow (there),” Karen said. “So when we came home, we looked around to find a place to shoot. I was going to all the competitions with him, carrying his stuff, doing everything behind the scenes and walking through the woods. But then everybody kept saying to me, ‘Why aren’t you shooting?’
“I’m like, ‘I don’t know if I really wanted to.’ At first I tried it but didn’t care if I did it either way. Then all of a sudden, it was like a light clicked on and I was wanting to shoot the bow and arrow.”
Elsie MacKinnon of Sydney and Judy Abbass of Sydney River also got into archery by similar means.
“The irony of this is, for what we might consider such a male-dominated sport, it was the males that got us all involved, because they wanted to try it,” Abbass said.
Front row, from left, Jennifer Williams, Olivia Williams and Bridget Benz. Back row from left, Grace MacGillivray, Karen Cann, Judy Abbass, Petra Engelhardt and Emma Nosotti, shown ready for some archery fun at Cape Breton Barn Archers’ indoor archery facility in French Road, just off Route 327 between Marion Bridge and Gabarus. SUPPLIED SUPPLIED
OPEN HOUSE OPPORTUNITY
“There was an open house on Halloween, when my husband and I came here. He fell in love with it immediately and started taking lessons. I would come out with him to watch, and then the girls would say, ‘So when are you going to take a lesson?’ “I was like, ‘No, I’m not that good.’ I haven’t got an athletic bone in my body.
“But it was on April Fool’s Day three years ago when I took my first lesson — and it was just so much fun.”
“It’s just comfortable, nice, and the ladies and the guys are so friendly here,” added MacKinnon, a friend of Benz.
Even for women who have previous competition experience, such as Petra Engelhardt of French Road, getting an opportunity to try something different can be enticing in and of itself.
“When I was involved in Germany, I did compound shooting with my husband,” Engelhardt said. “He spoke with Bridget, who said you can try out traditional archery. So we tried it — and I like it better.”
CAMARADERIE, SUPPORT SYSTEM
Regardless of whether the women compete in archery events or see it as a fun hobby, the takeaway for having a ladies-only night is by far the camaraderie and support system, Benz said.
“I like to see the girls or ladies enjoying it, enjoying what we may come up with, with some games and moving targets, or whatever we are doing to relax and enjoy it all without their husbands for two hours a week,” she said.
Added Cann, “It’s a nice way to introduce archery for women who may feel it’s a little more intimidating at other times. It’s just so relaxing when you come in here if there’s no pressure.”
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Ladies-Only Archery Night
WHERE: Cape Breton Barn Archers, 21 Joanne Langford Dr., French Road (off Route 327)
WHEN: Wednesdays, from 6-8 p.m., starting April 15.
RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION:barnarchers.ca