Sixteen young archers, ranging from Novices to Pre-Elites, and hailing from SOPA, Northern, Cobbitty, Penrith, Sydney University, and Warringah Archery Clubs, packed their bows and arrows for the first-ever live-in camp run by Archery NSW. The venue was Cataract Scout Park at Appin, South of Sydney. Spoiler alert: it was epic!
The setting? A bushland paradise with shady trees, good vibes, and plenty of sunshine (it was hot, very hot —but hey, that’s character-building, right?). The food? Delicious and endless, judging by the rave reviews. And let’s not forget the evenings spent around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, swapping stories, and debating the ultimate questions: Was the Challenge Valley Mud Run better than the Marshmallows and S’Mores? and getting Ricci’s agreement to“Can I join the Yabba Yabba tribe?”
The camp’s theme, “Squid Game,” was the perfect backdrop for a weekend of growth, grit, and a bit of friendly competition. Ricci Cheah, our lead coach, took the youth through their paces, focusing on shot cycles, release technique, grip, mindset, and fine-tuning their archery game. Meanwhile, 2024 Olympian Peter Boukouvalas dropped in on Saturday to share pearls of wisdom about setting goals, staying focused, and mapping out a plan to achieve the archer’s dreams. Unsurprisingly, both coaches were a big hit!
But don’t just take my word for it—here’s what some of the archers had to say:
“I learned that Archery is much harder than I thought.” – John
“I liked the roast potatoes.” – Jasmine
“Not fun having to wake up so early in the morning.” – Teresa
“I really enjoyed it and I would absolutely do it again. Food was great, sleeping was great, activities were fun, and I learnt many things.” – Daniel
“Best thing was getting to eat food.” – Evan
“I learnt a lot about why goals and planning are important and about my process while shooting. Best thing was the mud challenge.” – Sophia
“My favourite thing was Peter’s talk (on goal setting) and Ricci’s talk (execution and performance under pressure).” – Iris
“I loved it all.” – Finlay
As the organiser of this incredible camp, I want to give a massive round of applause to the real MVPs: the parents! Joe Lam, Ken Sun, Steve Bull, Michael Kuligowski, Leane Percival, Will Liao, Jenny Vuong and Michael Barnett worked tirelessly to set up the range and keep the kitchen running smoothly. You are absolute superstars, and we couldn’t have done it without your teamwork and dedication.
Shoutout to Ricci Cheah for making archery techniques fun and for welcoming everyone into the legendary Yabba Yabba tribe by the Bonfire. And a big thank-you to Peter Boukouvalas for inspiring our young athletes to dream big, plan strategically, and aim for greatness.
Whether it was the mud, the marshmallows, or mastering their release, one thing’s for sure: this camp was bang on target!
If you want to be part of the fun of archery and benefit from the coaching of some of Australia’s best coaches keep an eye out for our second ANSW Youth Development Camp on 15-16 March hosted by Bathurst Archery Club. This event will be open on Assemble early next week. Book soon so you don’t miss out! There will be lunch included for the participants and discounted motel accommodation available. Saturday night there will be a dinner booked at a local venue for archers and parents to socialise.
P.S. There will be Dinosaurs and that’s the only hint you get! I look forward to seeing all our young archers in Bathurst.
Don’t forget to register for Youth Spirit Field event this weekend in Armidale21.
2025 – Youth Series Competition What you need to know!
Hey, Archery Legends Under 21!
We’ve got some awesome news for you! Archery NSW has packed all the juicy details about the 2025 NSW Youth Series Events into this very first newsletter—just for YOU.
But guess what? These events don’t stop you from shooting in other cool tournaments on the Society or National Calendar. Nope! We just want to make the Youth Series so exciting that you’ll want to jump in and compete with your fellow archers.
What’s in it for YOU?
Epic Venues: Find all the event locations on the Archery NSW website under clubs or in the summary document when you register.
Collectible Pins: At every event, you’ll score a Youth Series Pin! Show them off, trade them with other archers at National and International events, and build your own collection.
Coaches Who’ve Got Your Back: Every Youth Series event will have awesome coaches on hand to help you level up your skills and hit the bullseye—literally!
These events are created just for you, to give you a fun and supportive start in archery. Whether you’re here to crush goals, make new friends, or just enjoy the journey, the Youth Series has got it all.
And guess what? It all kicks off with… (drumroll, please!) Armidale Youth Spirit Field Competition. Stay tuned for even more exciting details coming your way!
Grab your gear, rally your friends, and get ready to make 2025 unforgettable. Let’s shoot for the stars together!See you on the range!
10-12 January 2025 – Armidale Archers Youth Spirit Field Competition – Check the peg you shoot off at the end of this handout.
Get set for an epic fusion of bushwalking and target shooting! Imagine trekking through the great outdoors, armed with your bow, quiver, water, and—of course—your favourite snacks (definitely snacks, not snakes!).
This isn’t just any walk in the park—it’s a chance to challenge yourself in a whole new way. With guidance from AA Level 3 coach Dennis Carson, you’ll learn to sharpen your skills and tackle the unique challenges of shooting in the bush.
Think on your feet: Can you figure out the perfect angle? Do you aim higher or lower to hit those tricky targets?
Put your skills to the test: Take what you’ve learned and apply it in real-time, surrounded by nature.
This adventure is all about fun, skill-building, and pushing your limits. So, gear up, embrace the wild, and get ready to aim for success in an experience you won’t forget.
Are you ready for the challenge? Let’s do this! There’s a BBQ lunch for those who make it back to the clubhouse… (not really – everyone gets the BBQ lunch, some earlier than others.)
Day 1 Development Day, coaching with Dennis Carson (AA Level 3 Coach) followed by a BBQ Dinner.
Day 2 24T marked field course.
Day 3 24T marked field Course. Final day of competition
16 February 2025 –Coast Archers, Peats Ridge
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting your archery journey, this event has something for everyone—no matter your age or experience level!
With rounds like:
WA 60/900
Short Canberra
Junior Canberra
Mini Canberra
…you’re sure to find the perfect challenge for your skills! (Pssst… check the end of this newsletter to see which round you’ll be shooting.)
And the best part? BBQ lunch is included for all participating archers. So, grab your bow, hit the range, and get ready for a day of fun, friendly competition, and delicious food. We’ll see you there!
18 May 2025 – Newcastle City Archers
Get Ready for the Real Deal, Future Champions!
This is THE round you’ll be shooting at the Youth Nationals, so it’s time to bring your A-game!
And here’s the cherry on top: Lexie Feeney, a real-life Olympian, knows exactly what it takes to shoot at the highest level. If she’s in the country during this event, you’ll have the chance to learn her insider tips for nailing your Matchplay like a pro.
What’s on?
Newcastle 720 Ranking Round + Matchplay: Practice your Matchplay skills in a fun, competitive environment while honing the techniques that will help you crush it at Nationals.
Pro tip: Make sure to check your tournament and shooting rules to confirm the ranking round for your age group.
Not only will you sharpen your skills and boost your confidence, but you’ll also have a blast with your fellow archers. Buckets of fun and invaluable experience—what’s not to love?Don’t miss this chance to shoot, learn, and shine. See you on the range!
21 June – Penrith City Archers
It’s Time to Think Small!
Indoor archery is all about precision, focus, and aiming small to win big! Everyone shoots a 40cm face from 18m, so while the target is smaller, the good news is—it’s closer than most of what you have to shoot!
But here’s the twist: the more experienced you are, the tougher the challenge gets with the option of using the three spot target face to get those perfect scores. Are you ready to test your skills on a more challenging target?
Have you tried practicing this at your club? If not, now’s the perfect time to start. This event is an awesome way to gear up for the National Indoor Titles, held every July.Small target, big challenge, and even bigger fun—are you ready to take it on? Let’s go!
Date 19 July 2025 – Troy Adams Oval, PCA, Werrington
Exciting News for Youth Archers!
The Hawkeye Clout event has been rescheduled to a new date, separate from the State Clout Championship weekend.
Join the Fun!
This event is all about having a blast with friends, enjoying a delicious BBQ lunch, and shooting some arrows. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, all are welcome!
Learn and Compete!
During the event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of clout shooting. Then, put your skills to the test in a Single Clout round of 36 arrows. Don’t forget to check the distance requirements for your age group and equipment!When: 19 July 2024 Where: Penrith City Archers, Werrington Road, Werrington Who: All archers, beginners and experienced alike! What to bring: Yourself, your gear, and a smile!
10 August 2025 –Northern Archers of Sydney – Youth Funnel Web and 3D
Are You Ready to Take on a Brand-New Challenge?
Here’s your chance to mix it up and take your skills to the next level at Northern Archers’ exciting Funnel Web 12-Target Field Shoot with a 3D Twist!
What’s the twist? We’re bringing in 3D animal targets for an extra dose of fun and challenge!
Here’s how it works:
Shoot 3 arrows at the field targets (Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green Pegs).
Then, take 1 arrow at the 3D animal target.
Scoring:
Field Round: Scored on Archer’s Diary.
3D Round: Scored on paper (IBO scoring).
All participants must complete both rounds to compete, and Archery Australia rules apply for the field round.
This event is all about pushing your limits, honing your accuracy, and having a blast! Don’t miss out on the chance to try something new and challenge yourself in a whole new way.
Are you ready to step up and take on the 3D twist? Let’s do this!
1 November – Warringah Archers Kidbow
Ready to Take on an Iconic Challenge? This event is a true test of skill and focus! With 90 arrows shot at 20 metres, it’s a chance for the best of the best to aim for a perfect 900/900, while also offering newcomers a relaxed, welcoming environment to join the fun. You could be the first Recurve Archer to shoot a perfect 900 score. This has never been done before at Warringah Kidbow! Here’s what makes it special: All-Gold Range Award: Score all 9s, 10s, or ‘X’s across 5 ends to earn this prestigious achievement. All Round Award: Take it to the next level by keeping all your arrows (15 ends) in the 9/10 or ‘X’—a true mark of consistency and excellence! 900/900 Cash Incentive: Hit perfection, and you’ll walk away with a cash prize to celebrate your incredible achievement. And if that’s not exciting enough, the day wraps up with an elimination shoot, where the action gets even more intense! Whether you’re aiming for awards, perfecting your skills, or just soaking in the atmosphere, this event has something for everyone. Think you’ve got what it takes to join the ranks of legends? Let’s see you on the line!
General Information about the Youth Series 2025 Who can take part: All youth archers must be financial members of Archery Australia/Archery NSW for each event. Archers from other states may participate in the events but will not be eligible to win a trophy. Only Youth Archers registered in NSW are eligible to win a trophy. The series is open to all youth and bow divisions:
NEW for 2025 Youth Series Tournaments Only- Under 12 (U14) Unisex division – Athletes born in the year 2014 or since 2014– An athlete may compete in the U12 class in the Youth Series Tournaments until December 31 of the year of their 11th birthday.
Under 14 (U14) (Male, Female)- Athletes born in the year 2012 or since 2012 – An athlete may compete in the U14 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of their 13th birthday.
Under 16 (U16) (Male, Female) – Athletes born in the year 2010 or since 2010 –An athlete may compete in the U16 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of their 15th birthday.
Under 18 (U18) (Male, Female) (Para, VI 1, VI 2/VI 3, Para W1)- Athletes born in the year 2008 or since 2008 – An athlete may compete in the U18 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of their 17th birthday.
Under 21 (U21) (Male, Female) (Para, VI 1, VI 2/VI 3, Para W1)- Athletes born in the year 2005 or since 2005 – An athlete may compete in the U21 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of his or her 20th birthday.
Scoring: Each event will be a standalone whereby the actual score will count. You do not have to attend each event, but you will stand a better chance of a final placing if you do. The series results will not be per age class, but the overall attendance. For the Youth Spirit Event, it will be the combined handicap scores from the two days that will determine the placings. For the Newcastle 720 plus Matchplay, the Youth Series point scores will be based on the Matchplay Round. Prizes may be awarded for divisions on the day at the discretion of the Club. A handicap system will operate on the Warringah Kidbow Round as everyone will shoot 20 metres. All Archers who score the perfect 900 in Kidbow will be allocated 20 points for being amazing! Points for each event will be awarded to the top 20 positions, with 20 points given to 1st place: 1st 20 points 2nd 19 points 3rd 18 points 4th 17 points 5th 16 points 6th 15 points ––––––– 19th 2 points 20th 1 point 21st 0 points Over the seven events, the points will accumulate as they are added together. So, say an archer places 3rd in event 1, 6th in event 2, 1st in event 3, 19th in event 4, 5th in Event 5, 2nd in Event 6, 18th in event 7 they will accumulate 93 points overall.
series: 1st Place Compound and 1st place Recurve.
2nd Place in Recurve – Medal 2nd Place in Compound – Medal
3rd Place in Recurve – Medal 3rd Place in Compound – Medal
Trophies will be awarded at the 2025 Archery NSW Presentation Night.
Any questions about the Series Rules of for further information please contact Tracey Hansford Youth Coordinator via email: [email protected]
What do I Shoot?
Under 12 (U12) can only shoot as Under 12 – Clubs and RGBs may develop younger or older age divisions to cater for their own needs.
Under 14 (U14) can shoot as U14, U16, U18, U21 or Open
Under 16 (U16) can shoot as U16, U18, U21 or Open
Under 18 (U18) can shoot as U18, U21 or Open
Under 21 (U21) can shoot as U21 or Open
Note 1: –The U14-U21 age divisions above are the only age divisions recognised for Archery Australia Tournaments, National Records and National and Youth Championships.
TARGET ROUNDS
The following target rounds are shot for each class and division for National Championships and other major events CLICK HERE.
FIELD ROUNDS
The following pegs are shot for each class and division for National Championships and other major events CLICK HERE
CLOUT ROUNDS
The following Clout rounds are shot for each class and division for National Championships and other major events CLICK HERE
UNDER 12 Age Group Rounds and Distances
Should there be sufficient archers (minimum 4 competing archers) aged Under 12, a special division for the Under 12 Archers will be available. This will be a combined Male/Female Division. A series trophy will be issued for the highest scoring Under 12 Archer.
There should be about 10 years worth in the booklet below under Records & Awards.
Note all care was taken with spelling of names, so apologies in advance if any errors made, send a kindly note and we can fix if you see an error. This is a snapshot of awards that were achieved in 2023, World Cups / National events we kept to a minimum as these have been well documented through facebook & Archery Australia.
It is our aim over the next month or two to put the trophy / criteria and honour roll on the website, however, this will take time.
What a great night and wonderful to see everyone in their beautiful outfits at Balgowlah RSL. Congratulations to the award recipients, to recognise the members’ achievements in 2023.
In the fast-paced world of Australian youth sports, striking a balance between academics, athletic pursuits, and other commitments can be a challenging juggling act for both kids and their parents. With the increasing emphasis on holistic development, finding the right equilibrium has become crucial for fostering well-rounded individuals.
For Aussie youngsters passionate about sports, the commitment to training and competitions often collides with the demands of school life. Balancing academic responsibilities with the physical and mental demands of sports can be overwhelming, and finding the right strategy is imperative.
Parents play a pivotal role in helping their kids navigate these challenges. It’s essential for them to understand the importance of maintaining a healthy equilibrium between education and sports. Encouraging effective time management and open communication can foster a supportive environment.
Strategies for Success
Establish a Schedule: Creating a well-structured daily or weekly schedule that includes dedicated time for both academics and sports ensures that neither aspect is neglected. Prioritise tasks and allocate specific time slots for homework, training, and downtime.
Foster Time Management Skills: Teach kids the importance of effective time management. Encourage them to set realistic goals, prioritise tasks, and understand that completing assignments ahead of time allows for a smoother integration of sports and academics.
Open Communication Channels: Establishing open lines of communication between parents, teachers, and coaches is essential. This ensures everyone is on the same page regarding a child’s commitments and allows for adjustments when necessary.
Encourage Breaks and Downtime: It’s crucial to strike a balance between academics and sports without sacrificing much-needed downtime. Adequate rest is vital for both physical and mental well-being. Parents should be vigilant about avoiding burnout.
Set Realistic Goals: Help kids set achievable goals both in academics and sports. This not only provides motivation but also instills a sense of accomplishment when goals are met.
Several Aussie families have successfully navigated the challenges of balancing school and sports commitments. The key, they say, lies in finding a rhythm that works for both the child and the family.
Achieving balance between school, sports, and other commitments is an ongoing process that requires collaboration between parents, teachers, and coaches. In Australia, where sports are deeply ingrained in the culture, fostering this balance ensures that young athletes not only excel on the field but also thrive academically and personally. With the right strategies in place, Aussie kids can continue to chase their dreams, both in the classroom and on the playing field.
Applications are open for the Lorraine Cook Memorial trophy for the Most Improved Archer, which will be presented at the 2024 ASNSW Presentation Dinner. Applications close 30th December 2023, by sending directly to the Vice President Publicity officer at [email protected] Click here for all the details.
If anyone has any questions about this program or any pathways related issues, Robert can answer these directly on [email protected].
Archery Australia new Pathways program was recently released in the latest AA newsletter. The NPS (National Pathways Squad) is the next phase of our pathways work and follows on from the work of our previous P24 programs. The NPS focusses on developing young athletes in the Recurve realm and a wider age range in Para space, who are aiming towards the 2028 and 2032 Games (Olympic and Paralympics).
The closing date of the first intake is 27th of January.
Attention All Youth Members. ArcheryNSW has put as much information as we can about the Youth Series Event for 2024 in our first newsletter to you. This does not mean that you cannot shoot other tournaments on the Society Calendar, but we thought we would entice you to compete in your own Youth Series Events.
ArcheryNSW runs these events for YOU, Youth Members of ArcheryNSW, we will be supply coaches to assist you on your archery journey at each event, and this is kick started by….
12- 14 January – Armidale Archers (Which peg would your age group shoot from?).
Day 1 Development Day, coaching with Dennis Carson followed by BBQ Dinner.
Day 2 24T marked field course.
Day 3 24T marked field Course. Final day of competition
18 February –Coast Archers, Erina This has become one of the coolest events on the calendar and has something to offer for everyone! WA 60/900, Short Canberra, Junior Canberra, Mini Canberra (Which round would you shoot) BBQ lunch included for archers!
18 May – Newcastle City Archers
720 Ranking Round +Matchplay, remember to check your tournament & shooting rules as to what round you would shoot for your age group!
22nd June – Penrith City Archers
Youth Indoor – the distance for this is 18m on 40cm face. Have you ever practised this at your club? as the State & National Titles are held in July annually.
2 November – Warringah Archers This is an iconic event. 90 Arrows, 20 metres – it is a challenge for the best of the best to get 900 and allows for newcomers to take part in a relaxed environment!
Archers can gain an All-Gold Range if a bracket of 5 ends scores 9/10 or ’x’, then the next step is to achieve an All Round Award, where all your arrows for the whole round (15 ends) are either in the 9/10 or ‘x’. Any archer that gains 900 out of 900 also receive a Cash Incentive.
At the conclusion of this event, we have an elimination shoot.
9th November – Troy Adams Oval, PCA, Werrington
Shoot some arrows in the air, hang out with your friends for a big BBQ lunch and have a great day out!
Have you ever tried clout? or are you a seasoned clout archer? Come along to this event and let some of our mingle and show how shooting Clout works. Again, know what distance you would be required to shoot for your age group & equipment!
Who can take part: All youth archers must be financial members of Archery Australia/ArcheryNSW for each event.
The series is open to all youths and bow divisions:
Under 14 (U14) (Male, Female)- Athletes born in the year 2010 or since 2010 – An athlete may compete in the U14 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of his or her 13th birthday.
Under 16 (U16) (Male, Female) – Athletes born in the years 2008 or 2009 –An athlete may compete in the U16 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of his or her 15th birthday.
Under 18 (U18) (Male, Female) (Para, VI 1, VI 2/VI 3, Para W1)- Athletes born in the years 2007 or 2006 An athlete may compete in the U18 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of his or her 17th birthday.
Under 21 (U21) (Male, Female) (Para, VI 1, VI 2/VI 3, Para W1)- Athletes born in the years 2003, 2004 or 2005 – An athlete may compete in the U21 class in tournaments until December 31 of the year of his or her 20th birthday.
Archers from other states may participate in the events but will not be eligible to win a trophy. Only NSW Youth Archers are eligible to win a trophy.
Scoring: Each event will be a standalone whereby the actual score will count. Organisers of these events may or may not issue medals or prizes.
You do not have to attend each event, but you will stand a better chance of a final placing if you do.
For the series, handicapped scores will count based on your‘floating handicap’from Archer’s Diary. It will be handicapped scores that will determine placings. For the purpose of the Youth Spirit Event, Handicaps will be based Outdoor Target Archery, not Field because a number of youth archers do not have a separate rating for field archery.
Archers will need to have a base rating to qualify for scoring in the series which is based the best scores from three previous target rounds. Should an archer not have previously competed in at least three target rounds with scores recorded in Archer’s Diary, then the series organisers reserve the right to adjust the archer’s handicap to keep the competition fair.
The series results will not be per age class, but the overall attendance. The handicap system allows for an archer with a lower rating to compete against an archer with a higher rating and will even the scores up.
For the Youth Spirit Event, it will be the combined handicap scores from the two days that will determine the placings.
Points for each event will be awarded to the top 20 positions, with 20 points given to 1st place:
Over the four events, the points will accumulate as they are added together. So, say an archer places 3rd in event 1, 6th in event 2, 1st in event 3 and 19th in event 4, they will accumulate 55 points overall.
There will be two perpetual trophies awarded at the end of the series: 1st Place Compound and 1st place Recurve.
In 2022, the Compound Trophy was won by Alban Thornycroft (Coast Archers) with the Recurve Trophy won by Maja Kecskes (Warringah Archers).
Trophies will be awarded at the 2024 Archery NSW Presentation Night.
Any questions about the Series Rules of for further information please contact Tracey Hansford Youth Coordinator via email: [email protected]
