MEMBERS of Namoi Valley Archers have turned in a memorable performance at the Australian Bowhunting Association national titles in Victoria.
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In total, the group of 13 Gunnedah locals took home 18 medals: nine gold, four silver and five bronze.
Hosted by Mallee Sunset Field Archers near Mildura, the four-day event involved eight rounds of archery with more than 270 competitors battling it out.
Club secretary Kirsty Dunshea said the swag of medals was "an awesome achievement" for the club.
"This really is a fantastic achievement for a smaller club like ours," Dunshea said.
"Everyone had a really enjoyable time at the championships - in fact, I think pretty much everyone who went brought back a medal.
"I think everyone walked about 50 kilometres throughout the competition as well, so physically it was a massive achievement."
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Highlighting the club's impressive performance were Leanne Moore and Ann Stubbs, who became national champions in their respective categories.
"Those guys were amazing throughout the championships," Dunshea said.
"For those guys to cap off what was a really successful event for our club with a national championship is just fantastic. We as a club are very proud and it was a very well-deserved result for those guys."
Dunshea was close to joining Stubbs and Moore in the national champion ranks, claiming silver in her category.
"I was pipped in the very late stages of the competition," she said.
"That's the beauty of this sport: anyone from any division can win and it can come right down to the wire.
"It was a lot of fun and I was thrilled to claim a silver medal."
Dunshea said the sport was "rapidly growing" in the region.
"Given archery is a very inclusive sport, I certainly think it is growing," she said.
"We have members as young as 10 and some as old as 80.
"To have that kind of dynamic around the club is fantastic and not easily matched by other sports.
"Our club meets every two weeks to shoot, and we are now going to more schools around the region and getting kids involved in the sport.
"I'd say the future is looking pretty bright."
The club will host a shoot in Gunnedah on May 26, with newcomers invited to attend.
"It is a great environment and it would be great to see some new faces come along," Dunshea said.
"Archery is a really inclusive sport, so anyone thinking of giving it a go is more than welcome."
Winners:
- Leanne Moore (ABA GOLD, National Champion) (3D GOLD, National Champion)
- Ann Stubbs (ABA SILVER) (3D GOLD, National Champion)
- Cormac Dunshea (ABA SILVER) (3D GOLD)
- Callan Webster (ABA GOLD) (3D GOLD)
- Kirsty Dunshea (ABA SILVER) (3D SILVER)
- John Dunshea (ABA GOLD) (3D 7th)
- Peter Bush (ABA GOLD) (3D BRONZE)
- James Bush (ABA 9th) (3D BRONZE)
- Norm Webster (ABA BRONZE) (3D BRONZE)
- Thomas Webster (ABA 5th) (3D BRONZE)
- Peter Stubbs (ABA 10th) (3D GOLD)
- Brian Taylor (ABA 7th) (3D 6th)
- Daryl Phillips (ABA 7th) (3D 8th)
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
