Joan and George Archibald - Bowling
Joan and George Archibald met in the early 1950's while they were both working for Coleman Lamp & Stove. They spent 49 ½ years together, until George's passing in 2002. They had two children, Karen and Stephan, and now have 3 grown grandchildren as well - Haley, Heather and Jennie.
Their daughter, Karen, joined the Georgetown YBC at age 8. The very next week, George Nurse recruited both Joan and George as coaches, with George being assigned to Junior boys and Joan to Bantam girls. Within a few short years, they were producing champions.
In 1971, Joan & George became the first husband and wife coaching team to take YBC teams to nationals, held that year in Vancouver. At those national championships, Joan's Bantam girls team captured the bronze medal, while George's Junior boys took the gold. When they returned, they were all asked to stay on the plane while the other passengers departed. Once they were finally able to leave, they were greeted by a crowd of bowlers gathered there to congratulate the champions and their coaches.
In addition to coaching, George was the YBC zone rep for 10 years, organizing 4-Step and senior mixed tournaments, as well as the Masters zone rep.
The two of them spent many hours at the lanes coaching and supervising, but also managed to find some time to actually bowl themselves.
Both were Master bowlers in the teaching division - George for 12 years, and Joan for 14. George's victory at the Octoberfest tournament in 1977 earned him his Master ring. In the 1979-80 season, Joan received hers for winning the Holiday Inn Classic, and followed that up the following year with a repeat victory in the same tournament. Joan has also advanced to Masters nationals, earning a gold medal as part of an Ontario team, and a bronze medal as a single competitor. She represented Central on the 1973 Open mixed team.
Their daughter, Karen, joined the Georgetown YBC at age 8. The very next week, George Nurse recruited both Joan and George as coaches, with George being assigned to Junior boys and Joan to Bantam girls. Within a few short years, they were producing champions.
In 1971, Joan & George became the first husband and wife coaching team to take YBC teams to nationals, held that year in Vancouver. At those national championships, Joan's Bantam girls team captured the bronze medal, while George's Junior boys took the gold. When they returned, they were all asked to stay on the plane while the other passengers departed. Once they were finally able to leave, they were greeted by a crowd of bowlers gathered there to congratulate the champions and their coaches.
In addition to coaching, George was the YBC zone rep for 10 years, organizing 4-Step and senior mixed tournaments, as well as the Masters zone rep.
The two of them spent many hours at the lanes coaching and supervising, but also managed to find some time to actually bowl themselves.
Both were Master bowlers in the teaching division - George for 12 years, and Joan for 14. George's victory at the Octoberfest tournament in 1977 earned him his Master ring. In the 1979-80 season, Joan received hers for winning the Holiday Inn Classic, and followed that up the following year with a repeat victory in the same tournament. Joan has also advanced to Masters nationals, earning a gold medal as part of an Ontario team, and a bronze medal as a single competitor. She represented Central on the 1973 Open mixed team.