Meet 11 of the state’s top archers shooting for glory at the Victorian Short Range Championships

We name 11 of the state’s top archers set to take aim at Angel Archers in this weekend’s Victorian Short Range Championships.

Dawn Nelson-Furnell is a world record holder back from a two-year break after shoulder surgery.

All roads lead to Angel Archers in Balnarring this Sunday, where the state’s best archers will take aim during the 2024 State Short Range Championship.

From under-11 young guns through to the veterans category (70+), more than 100 entrants from across the state will compete in the first event of the year which is part of the State Championships Grand Prix.

Here are 11 archers to watch this weekend:

Gerard Middendorp: a World Masters Champion still winning in the 50+ division even though he is in 70+ division. He will be up against some quality opposition, including Malcolm Barker from Geelong.

Gerardine Middendorp: a star in the 60+ division, she will be up against Fiona Barclay from Geelong Archers.

Peter Nelson-Furnell (left) with Gerardine and Gerard Middendorp, Pan Pacific champions.

Jakob Wray, Archer Gary, Fiona Barclay and Malcolm Barker.

Deb Tremelling: an Australian representative many times over, she is the Open Barebow Recurve Champion.

Ross Gooding: the Open World Oceania Barebow recurve champion will be a must-see this weekend.

Dawn Nelson-Furnell: awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in the first King’s Birthday honours for services to archery. A world masters champion back from a two-year break after shoulder surgery. Still holds a current world record and is ready to start collecting gold once again.

Dawn Nelson-Furnell is a world record holder.

Peter Nelson-Furnell: the president of Angel Archers is going for gold after winning a medal last year.

Maddison Forecast and Harrison Forecast: grand children of Dawn and Peter. Maddison, 12, and Harrison, 10, are showing plenty of talent after winning medals in the last state championships.

Leigh Cornish: as a 13-year-old fascinated with Robin Hood, Cornish discovered a knack for the sport...and 66 years later the 79-year-old is a legend of the sport, a former World Masters champion who has represented Australia on many overseas teams.

Archer Leigh Cornish.

Ronald Hardy: at a spritely 82, Hardy’s passion for the sport is boundless and he will use all his experience of winning state titles when he competes in the 70+ Recurve.

Ryan Pate: a former state junior champion now making his way in the senior division after returning to the sport after a seven-year absence.