The Armidale Archers hosted the NSW Junior Archery Squad over the weekend. Three girls and 15 boys hit the targets in a training and development session. The cold, stormy weather did not dampen the enthusiasm or diminish the focus of the young archers and that, according to NSW Junior State (Archery) Co-ordinator, Steve Jennison, is indicative of the commitment and promise of our elite junior archers.
The squad is drawn from throughout NSW, with a contingent from the greater Sydney area. Armidale looks likely to have five archers in the State junior squad, including past National and State Gold Medalist, Brendan Howe and relative newcomer, Madden Rayner, who has been shooting for two years.
Brendan took up archery in 2007 when he was 14 and began shooting competitively in 2009. He shot straight to the elite levels in junior archery. This is his third year in the NSW Junior Squad. In archery, ‘juniors are up to 20 years of age.
Brendan said he has gained much from the NIAS (Northern Inland Academy of Sport), as a ‘Lonestar’ athlete. “Archery is about 10 per cent strength and 90 per cent mental,” he said.
Top local facilities and role models have played a part in the strength of junior archery in Armidale. “Yeah, the facilities here are great. Having Dennis Carson, who is the Australian Coach, and supportive parents, you can’t ask much more than that – it’s great.”
Armidale Archers President and National Coach, Dennis Carson, said the standard and enthusiasm of the squad looked very good. “Some of the squad members have been together for a few years now. They get on well and there’s a fun team spirit.”
Steve Jennison explained that ultimately, 20 archers will be competing in the Youth Nationals, representing NSW, though the squad will number about 40.
“Given our membership numbers, we have a good representation of female archers but not nearly enough. There is a lack of participation by females at the elite and even grass-roots levels of our sport,” Mr Jennison said.
The 2012 Youth National Cham-pionships will be hosted by Armidale Archers from Sundayt to Saturday, January 1 to 7, 2012. The venue for Target, Matchplay and Clout will be held at the Sport UNE Playing Fields. The field event will be held at the Armidale Archers club’s facilities.
The Championships will be used to select the 2012 Trans Tasman Team to compete in New Zealand in April.
Brendan Howe has previously gained national selection through the Championships and won a gold medal for his country against the young Kiwi archers.
Story: Gary Fry
