Local Sports Star nominee Blake Archer on target for more successes
IF HE maintains his brilliant start to the year, there is no limit to what Blake Archer can achieve.
Local Sports Stars
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sports Stars. Followed categories will be added to My News.
IF HE maintains his brilliant start to the year, there is no limit to what Blake Archer can achieve.
The Rouse Hill Rams star is a record-breaking track and field athlete who will be taking his superb form to next week’s Little Athletics Nationals in Sydney.
Blake, this week’s nominee for the Local Sports Star Award, is eyeing more glory in his pet event, the 400m where he has slashed his timings by six seconds over the past five months.
Training under running coach Graham Garnett twice a week and throwing under the guidance of Jorg Probst, Blake, 14, has surpassed all expectations so far.
“I finished third in NSW State Championship this year, with many PBS along the way and I’m hoping to get in the low 50 seconds by next season,” Blake said
“I will be competing in javelin and shot put at the nationals and my goal will be achieving my PBS in both of my events.
”My first 400m run was at my school athletics carnival last year and I broke the school record.
“I was successful in Hills Zone and other competitions, along with my three throwing events, javelin, shot put and discus.
“I ran the finals at All Schools competition and I would like to finish in top three in this event next year.
“My dad suggested that I tried running the 800m early this year — he was a 800m and 1500m runner at nationals level in LA — and I ended up breaking our club record.”
Blake also went on to win the 800m at the zonal and regional levels to maintain his cracking form in the event.
He smashed the 400m record in 57.98 seconds and ran the 800m in 2:18.95, just missing out on the zone record by less than 0.6 of a second.
“I used to play soccer, cricket and basketball as well, but I’m now only focusing on my athletics and AFL,” Blake said.
“I also train with the GWS Giants Academy under-4s squad and my aim is to make it in the final team to compete in Albury later this year.”
Blake, whose PBS for javelin is 37m, and shot put is 14.11m, also helped his Rams under-13 throws team — including Sylvester Amun and Thomas Colcomb — win the LA state relays gold medal
He holds the Rams records for his age group in the 800m, discus, javelin and being a glutton for training, joins his dad’s running group on an additional night of the week.
■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.
■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au
Nominate now
■ The Local Sports Stars program is searching for outstanding athletes aged under 18, as well as those that love and contribute to making sport a great experience for everyone.
■ We also want to celebrate the parents, coaches and volunteers that help make it all possible.
■ There are five categories to nominate people in: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Star Team and Service to Sport.
■ The awards are sponsored by rebel, Featherdale Wildlife Park, Rooty Hill RSL, SportsTG and Your Local Club.
■ To nominate someone or find out more about the program visit: localsportsstars.com.au
Deep dive: Stars to watch at Aus Interschool Surfing Titles
More than 2000 of the country’s best young surfers will compete in the inaugural Australian Interschools Surfing Championships on the Gold Coast. We reveal the must-watch stars who will make history here.
Revealed: Players you need to watch at National Netball Championships
Future Diamonds will shine on the court at the National Netball Championships. Find out which players you should be keeping an eye on during the week-long tournament.