Meet the NSW team at the National Youth Archery Championships, Tuggeranong, ACT
From salmon-loving sharpshooters to a horse riding gold medallist, NSW’s rising archers head to Canberra for the Youth National Champs. Meet the stars, full list of every NSW competitor.
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The spotlight is on New South Wales as the state’s next generation of archers prepare to compete for bragging rights and national selection at the highly anticipated Youth National Championships in Canberra.
Kicking off on April 17 at Tuggeranong, over 150 of Australia’s top young archers will converge for five thrilling days of competition, battling it out for medals in compound, recurve, barebow, and longbow categories.
NSW will field more than 40 talented archers from clubs across the state, including an elite squad of 15 vying for the coveted State Award.
But the stakes are even higher this year. After the championships conclude, a select group of up to 24 outstanding individuals will be chosen to represent Australia at the Youth World Championships next August in Winnipeg, Canada. With 60 countries set to compete, this is a rare opportunity to shine on the global stage.
Meet the NSW squad, and see the entire list of NSW competitors on show in Canberra.
INTERESTED IN TRYING ARCHERY: Click HERE for your nearest club
BRANDEN TSE (SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK ARCHERS – SOPA)
School: Australia Catholic University, Strathfield
Division/ Bow: U21 male/recurve
The king of the bullseye, Branden is among Australia’s finest young talents and turned heads globally when he fell agonisingly short of the podium at the 2023 World Archery Youth Championships in Ireland.
Loves consuming salmon and dreaming about shooting gold, and with nine years of competition under his belt, the recurve specialist is heavily favoured to feature among the medals in Canberra.
TRISTAL HOARE (PENRITH CITY ARCHERS)
School: Hawkesbury High School
Division/ Bow: U18 female/compound
In just over two years on the circuit, Tristal has rarely strayed from the target. Nailed a bronze at last year’s nationals and won a spot in the state side for the second year running.
Fuelled by a secret diet of muesli bars, she hopes to win selection in September’s Trans Tasman Challenge in Christchurch.
IRIS CHEN (SOPA)
School: Our Lady of Mercy College, Parramatta
Division/ Bow: U16 female/recurve
Still only 14, Iris is already a proven competitor. In addition to winning gold in the U14 NSW State Short Course, she rounded out 2024 with four silvers and one bronze.
Caring and thoughtful, she upholds the values of her idol, Martin Luther King Jr, and enjoys mixing with friends. “Totally obsessed” with munching on Fuji apples, she’ll be easy to spot in Tuggeranong.
EVE WHITEAR (WARRINGAH ARCHERS)
School: Marist Catholic College North Shore
Division/ Bow: U18 female/compound
Another with minimal experience who continually finds the middle of the target, Eve won last year’s NSW State Target and Field Championships in just her second season of competition.
Away from the range, she chills out to her favourite tunes and hopes to be on the plane to Canada for the World Champs.
OLIVIA ROSS (NEWCASTLE CITY ARCHERS)
School: Chatham High School, Taree
Division/ Bow: U16 female/recurve
Based on the Mid North Coast, not much gets past this Cundletown local. Typically kicks off her day with a cream cheese bagel, and despite a commitment to netball and hockey, still found time to win gold at the National Field Champs.
Always shoots in her favourite “Green Frog Hat”, and is forever counting down the days until she catches up with her besties, “Ashley and Jayden”.
JASMINE BULL (SOPA)
School: Riverside Girls High School
Division/ Bow: U14 female/recurve
After picking up gold in the U14 recurve 12 months ago, Jasmine is one member in the squad who can’t wait to get back to Tuggeranong.
A national and state record holder, the 12-year-old enjoys the words of famous author Terry Pratchett, and a spot of horse riding on the side.
HANNAH PARK (SOPA)
School: Ravenswood School for Girls
Division/ Bow: U16 female/recurve
Committed to the archery journey, Hannah views her selection as a stepping stone to brighter days on the range.
No stranger to success, the Wahroonga local shot a PB to win gold at the National Indoor Championships.
LOGAN MERRICK (BATHURST ARCHERS)
School: Completing mechanical apprenticeship
Division/ Bow: U18 male/compound
With a proud history of gold mining surrounding his home town of Bathurst, it was hardly surprising to hear Logan struck gold in his very first archery competition.
Fires up each morning with an Up & Go, and enjoys mixing serenity on the range with the roar of his favourite motorbike.
TARA CHOO (SOPA)
School: Chatswood High
Division/ Bow: U18 female/recurve
A regular on the representative scene, Tara’s greatest achievement to date is an impressive Oceania Champs silver medal.
Keeps fit with Muay Thai martial arts, and all going to plan, is aiming for a top-two finish and qualification for the Youth World Champs later this year.
HARSHAVARRDHAN KALIDAS (NORTHERN ARCHERS OF SYDNEY)
School: Glenwood High School
Division/ Bow: U14 male/compound
After switching from recurve two years ago, Harshavarrdhan has excelled, collecting multiple gold medals and being honoured last year as the Best All-Round Junior Boy in U14 Compound.
He loves to kick off the morning with two eggs, and on game day can be heard talking to his bow, encouraging his teammate with words of motivation like, “let’s do this!”.
MAJA KECSKES (WARRINGAH ARCHERS)
School: NBSC Freshwater Senior Campus
Division/ Bow: U18 female/recurve
With nine years of competition behind her, this 16-year-old has been on the range for more than half her life.
One of the more experienced members on the team, Maja claimed first place at the World Archery Oceania Championships in ranking and individual match-play. Chills out with classical guitar and crochet.
TIAH ALLEN (BELLINGEN ARCHERS)
School: St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
Division/ Bow: U14 female/recurve
Having already represented NSW U21s at the Indoor Nationals, Tiah is primed for a strong showing in Canberra.
A keen hockey player, the 13-year-old can’t get enough of repelling oncoming shots as team goalkeeper.
ZALI ALLEN (BELLINGEN ARCHERS)
School: St John Paul College, Coffs Harbour
Division/ Bow: U16 female/compound
The older sister of Tiah, Zali doubles as a volleyballer who lists Avatar as her favourite movie.
Marches to her own beat on the range, and has the distinction of winning three different national titles in the same year.
LILY YOUNG (WARRINGAH ARCHERS)
School: Barrenjoey High School
Division/ Bow: U14 female/compound
Lily, another of the squad’s keen horse riders, has made a remarkable impact on the competitive circuit in just nine months and wouldn’t look out of place on the podium in the ACT.
Destined for higher honours, her greatest achievements to date include the NSW Performance Award for U14 female compound and picking up the Novice of the Year award at Warringah Archers.
EMILY GRIFFITHS (PENRITH CITY ARCHERS)
School: Centre of Excellence in Agriculture, Richmond
Division/ Bow: U18 female/compound
Look out Canberra, Emily is back in town. Last year she walked away from the Youth Nationals with five U16 golds, and now returns stronger than ever after adding crossfit boxing to her preparation routine.
She loves the support of her mum and dad, but in a quirky twist, she can’t help annoying them by poking her tongue out every time she smiles.
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