Local archers are competing with the country’s best young talent at the 2012 National Youth Archery Championships which began on Sunday and run throughout the week.
Over 100 competitors from across Australia have set up camp in Armidale for the prestigious national event. Dennis Carson from Armidale Archers, who are hosting the event, is excited to finally see the competition begin.
“Things have been going really well so far, very smooth,” said Dennis Carson.
“We have the target events that are shot here at the University to what we call feeder rounds, 144 arrow rounds, they shoot one each day and the total of the two rounds is your target winner.
“There is also the match play where the different archers are ranked from the first two days and then they shoot a match play, one on one until we come down to another winner.
“There will be four winners, one for each division.
“We finish at the University on Thursday and then we go to our club grounds on Friday and Saturday and shoot field events.”
Thirteen year old local archer Hollie Giles is competing in her first major event and is enjoying the challenge.
“I have found it really good to practice and get to know how the competition is run,” said Hollie.
“I get to use equipment that I haven’t used before.
“I have been doing archery for about 18 months and we practice twice a week.”
Hollie really enjoys her archery and is keen to continue with the sport. The experience that she will gain from these championships will hold her in good stead for her future archery career. Archery is as much a mind game as it is physical.
“You have to focus and tune everything out and concentrate on the target,” said Hollie.
Story: Jo Harrison
