The oldest sports trophy still competed for is the Antient Scorton Silver Arrow (UK), which is 342 years old and has been offered as the prize in the Antient Silver Arrow Competition – an archery tournament held in Scorton, North Yorkshire, England, UK – on 307 occasions from 14 May 1673 to 16 May 2015.
The silver arrow itself was reputedly won many years before in an archery competition in Cambridge University by somebody called John Wastell, who took it back to his hometown of Scorton before his death in 1659.
The first recorded tournament was on 14 May 1673 and was won by Henry Calavery M.P. in a field of 22 archers. The most recent winner was Tom Fewz on 16 May 2015. Fewz was the first archer to shoot the black spot from 100 yards.
The competition is open to all gentlemen aged 21 or over and at present any Long Bow, bare bow or Recurve Bow can be used. Modern Compound bows are not permitted.
The current winners take home a replica of the silver arrow. The original trophy is now housed in the Royal Armouries in Leeds, UK, for safekeeping.
