SIXTEEN members of the NSW Youth State Squad travelled from Griffith, Sydney, Newcastle, and Erina, for an intensive two days of field archery held at the Armidale Archers range over the weekend as part of the NSW Archery Youth Development Program.
On Saturday, under the guidance of Steve Jennison (NSW State Coach), Steve Salmon (NSW Junior Co-ordinator) and Dennis Carson (National Coach), the 10 boys and six girls ranging in age from 11 to 19 were drilled on their own techniques as well as those required to be a successful field archer.
All participants are vying for positions in the final 20-member NSW State Team that will contest the team events at the 2013 Youth National Championships being held in Brisbane in early July.
On Sunday the juniors were joined by local members and visitors in shooting a 24-target Qualifying Ranking Event. Shot under competition conditions and overseen by two judges, the QRE gave the juniors a taste of the conditions they will experience at the Nationals. Local youth archers Yjere Matikainen, Claire and Hollie Giles and Madden Rayner all participated in the weekend, each shooting well in the QRE with Yjere shooting a new personal best for the range.
Steve Jennison said that “overall the results are very pleasing. The squad has performed well under the conditions and each of the archers will return home with a very positive attitude following a weekend of hard work.
“The Youth Development Program is not just about the mechanics of archery but also focuses on the archers getting to know each other and building team camaraderie.”
A small group of club members will travel to Woolgoolga for the first round of the Country Coast Shield on April 28. Coffs Coast, Bellingen and Armidale clubs will shoot a 30-target unmarked 3D event while Dennis Carson will head to the Mt Petrie Club in Brisbane for the Queensland State Championships on and 27 and 28 April.
Would you like to try archery? Armidale Archers will hold a Come and Try Day on 4 May from 11am to 1pm and also on 18 May from 1pm to 3pm. Cost will be $5 per person and all equipment is provided. A beginners’ course is expected to follow in late June.
Armidale Archers shoot at the Rockvale Road range every Sunday morning from 9am. If you would like further information please go to our website www.armidalearchers.com.au or email info@armidalearchers.com.au
