An innovative field of play – which includes a stage for community-led projects and entertainment – was behind the Dutch city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch’s winning bid for the 2019 World Archery Championships.

Earlier on this week, the city was told it would host the competition, as well as World Archery Para Championships, during a World Archery executive meeting in Istanbul, Turkey.

‘s-Hertogenbosch’s bid included the commitment to construct the championship’s final field of play, which is traditionally built for the last two days of the competition, for the whole of both tournaments.

The arena includes the community activation stage where local people can enjoy the sporting and cultural aspects of the tournament. It will be designed to “leave a lasting legacy” in terms of participation and interest in archery.

As well as the community engagement and legacy factor, the bid included the pledge to schedule the para championships before the able-bodied tournament to “use the inclusivity and sport-for-all aspects of the event as a community builder”.

“We’re pushing the inclusivity and availability of archery, with a goal to make the sport important in our member federations around the world,” a World Archery spokesperson told Sports Management.

The bid was put forward by a partnership which included a professional event company – The Organizing Connection – the Dutch national federation and ‘s-Hertogenbosch’s local, city and regional authorities.

‘s-Hertogenbosch will also host the 2019 World Archery Congress. The meeting this week put forward the locations of World Archery events through to 2020. Beijing will host the 2017 World Archery Para Championships, while Yankton, USA, will hold the 2018 World Archery Indoor Championships.

In 2019, Lac La Biche, Canada will be the location of the World Archery 3D Championships, and in 2020 the World Archery Field Championships will take competition back to Yankton.