Archery Australia ramps up grassroots development for global success with next generation

Archery Australia has ramped up its pathways program in an effort to claim its first Olympic medal since 2016. With an eye on Paris 2024 and beyond, see what’s bubbling below the surface.

Archery Australia pathways program, 2023.

In a sport where hitting the target is a non-negotiable, Archery Australia’s sights for identifying the next generation of talent are firmly focused on the grassroots.

In the years since Simon Fairweather shot to gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Australia has only added another two medals, the most recent in 2016.

With an eye on Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028, Archery Australia’s pathways program continues to gather momentum. Next month a team of 18 archers - the largest ever - will compete in Ireland at the World Youth Championships.

Structured one tier below the Australian squads, the pathways program challenges aspiring elites to achieve their national dreams.

Australia’s next generation of archers prepare for the World Youth Championships in Ireland. Picture: Supplied.

“The National Pathways Squad program is focused on building archers into more well rounded athletes, with the aim to prepare them to join our national squad system,” said Archery Australia pathways manager Robert Turner.

This year 20 rising stars have been coached, mentored and educated at camps hosted at the Australian Institute of Sport.

“It’s great to see the NPS working so well and engaging so many archers and coaches across Australia,” said Turner.

“This year is the first time we have really added personal coaches to our camps and the feedback has been extremely positive.

“The programs began in 2020 and have grown significantly in 2023. Archers from our previous pathways programs make up almost 50 per cent of our current national teams for world championships this year, and four current NPS members will shoot at next month’s World Youth Champs.”

Pathways archer Ella-Rose Carson will be in Ireland for the World Youth Championships. Picture: Supplied.

With a ticket to Limerick, Ella-Rose Carson is one NPS member about to expand her craft in the women’s under-21 recurve.

Based in the northern tablelands of NSW, Carson joined the Armidale Archers as an 11-year-old in 2014. Now following in the footsteps of her father who twice attended world youth champs, the qualified Zumba instructor is eager to cash in on a six-day a week training program that includes up to 30 hours on the range.

In a career highlight, Carson competed in last year’s live streamed Australian Open gold medal match.

But it's archery’s tight family-like community where Carson continues to thrive, seeking and gaining advice from the likes of Australian Olympic bronze medal winners Ryan Tyack and Alec Potts.

As a passionate contributor to the sports long term future, Turner believes the future is bright.

“There is no doubt that this group houses a great group of young shooters, and we are excited to see them grow in the sport”