Gunnedah Successful at National Titles

The 2006 Australian Field Archery Championships, held in Orange, have been dominated by the twenty three member team from Namoi Valley Archers. The Gunnedah club sent the largest ever contingent to represent the club at a National titles and their amazing performance in winning 15 gold, 14 silver and 11 bronze medals across the three disciplines was the talk of the eight day event. Steve Jaeger proved beyond doubt he is the best Freestyle Limited archer in Australia winning his fourth consecutive ABA title, his second consecutive 3D title and dethroning former champion Randall Wellings to win his first IFAA Australian title in a stunning performance. The husband and wife team of Stuart and Jodi Dolbel have yet to settle who has bragging rights in the Dolbel household after they both finished with two gold and one silver medals. Bowhunter Limited archer, Stuart Dolbel, proved what a talented competitor he is winning gold in the 3D and ABA events and finishing a very narrow second in the IFAA event in his best ever showing at an Australian Titles. Jodi Dolbel put it all together when it mattered most to win her first Australian medals. Jodi blitzed the field in the 3D event, grabbed a silver in the ABA event and then saved her best performance for the IFAA event to grab a very hard fought gold medal. Ben Ireland realized his dream of defending his Australian ABA Freestyle Unlimited title with a brilliant performance. Ireland had watched his chances evaporate in the 3D event after an uncharacteristically slow start but made every arrow count in the ABA event to achieve the historically difficult feat of defending his title in a division where one poor shot usually ruins your chances. Outstanding junior, Wade Hudson, stamped himself as the best unmarked barebow archer at the Australian Titles winning the Advanced division in both 3D and ABA in very impressive fashion. Hudson handled the pressure of the big occasion with real maturity shooting brilliantly in every round to leave his opposition no chance as he claimed two Australian titles at his first attempt.

Australian 3D Championships.
The 3D event consists of four twenty target rounds held over four days with competitors shooting at life size foam targets set at unknown distances. Namoi Valley Archers 20 competitors won a total of 7 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals in this event with the previously mentioned Steve Jaeger, Stuart Dolbel, Jodi Dolbel and Wade Hudson all winning their respective divisions. Cameron Hill burst onto the national stage shaking off some indifferent from to win his first Australian title with a great performance across the four days in the Junior Bowhunter Limited division. The confidence gained from this win will no doubt help Hill in future events and was wonderful result for the quietly spoken young archer. Jamie Thompson also shot well to grab a bronze medal in the same division. A clean sweep of medals at a National event by one club is a fairly rare event but when the competitors are all sisters the feat becomes even more impressive. Katie, Jackelyn and Sammy Patrick achieved this rare honour when they swept all before them in the Cub Recurve D grade division in a fantastic result. Peter Stubbs shot personal best scores on his way to a bronze medal in Masters Recurve. Stubbs thought he was there to just make up the numbers but turned on a great performance to grab third place in the top grade. Michael Patrick showed his liking for the 3D targets scoring a very well deserved silver in C grade Recurve. Ken Thompson flew the flag in the barebow Compound ranks winning a bronze medal in a very hard fought A grade event with a polished performance. Christopher Patrick scored the silver in Cub Compound D grade and Shane Thompson won a gold medal in Cub Freestyle Limited with a typically determined performance while juniors, Keegan Patrick, D grade compound and Josh Dolbel, Freestyle Unlimited finished with well deserved silver medals.

Australian ABA Championships.
The ABA event consists of four rounds of twenty targets held over two days with competitors shooting at hand drawn animal targets set at unknown distances. All 23 competitors from Namoi Valley Archers contested this event winning 6 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze medals with the previously mentioned Steve Jaeger, Stuart Dolbel, Ben Ireland, Wade Hudson all winning gold with Jodi Dolbel taking silver in their respective divisions. The Patrick sisters were back in action for this event in Recurve D grade with Katie taking the gold, Jackelyn the silver while the youngest Sammy, just missed a medal finishing fourth in another great performance from the trio. Another of the club’s young brigade, Meg Jaeger, showed plenty of courage to finish with a very cherished silver medal in Cub Compound D grade. The outstanding performance for the youngsters continued with Shane Thompson making it back to back gold medals winning Cub Freestyle Recurve putting together four good rounds. Christopher Patrick added to the medal haul with a gutsy performance to take silver in Cub Compound D grade. Ken Thompson continued his fine form in this event taking the bronze in Compound A grade in a division widely considered one of the hardest fought in the barebow ranks. Recurve exponents Darrell Hudson and Michael Patrick renewed their friendly rivalry in Barebow Recurve C grade with Hudson finishing with the silver and Patrick grabbing the bronze. Ray Sweeney, Freestyle Limited and Josh Dolbel, Junior Freestyle Unlimited added hard won silvers to their trophy cabinets. Cameron Hill continued his fine tournament to take silver in Junior Bowhunter Limited with Jamie Thompson taking his second bronze of the weekend in the same division. Keegan Patrick rounded out his tournament with a silver medal in Junior Compound D grade.

Australian IFAA Championships
The IFAA event is vastly different from the ABA and 3D event with round paper targets set at known distances with competitors required to shoot four arrows at each of the 28 targets. In the ABA and 3D events the minimum numbers of arrows to complete the event is 80 but in the IFAA event the minimum number of arrows is a very demanding 476 with five rounds shot over four days. Namoi Valley Archers was represented by 8 competitors in this event finishing with 2 gold, 1 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Steve Jaeger shot personal bests in virtually every round of the IFAA event leaving Randall Wellings, a multiple Australian representative who has made this division his own over the last few years, stunned as he watched Jaeger waltz away with the gold medal in Freestyle Limited. Ray Sweeney, also a former holder of this title also shot well to take third place. Jaeger was thrilled with the win and can’t wait to renew rivalries at the World IFAA Championships in June. Jodi Dolbel showed what a fine archer she is winning her first Australian title in Freestyle Unlimited with an outstanding performance over the five rounds and this confidence boosting win was well deserved. Stuart Dolbel had fought his way to the lead in Bowhunter Limited with just fourteen targets to go in the IFAA event but a simple mistake on target 16 cost him the title. Dolbel will have learnt a lot from this battle which will stand him on good stead for future events. Ben Ireland showed plenty of fight as he grimly hung onto third place in Freestyle Unlimited finishing with the bronze, his first ever Australian IFAA medal in a great performance from this talented archer. Josh Dolbel finished the championships with his third medal taking the bronze in Junior Freestyle Unlimited underlining his versatility and consistency in all styles of archery.

Knife and Axe
The Knife and Axe throwing events are always a keenly contested and fun filled part of the National championships and this year Steve Jaeger won the silver in the Knife throwing. Jamie Thompson grabbed third place in the Junior Axe event and Shane Thompson won both the Knife and Axe throwing for Cubs.

National Titles Medal Haul

Orange lived up to it's cold reputation turning on a huge frost and -6 temperatures one morning. This effected some gear and fine tuning at the practise butts was nesseccary. I also overheard one visitor from the Northern Territory state it was the first time he had seen frost, and he didn't go much on it.



Team Gunnedah after the medal presentation on Monday.








Ben Ireland with his first National IFAA medal.



















Ben also managed to defend his ABA titles gained at Charleville last year.













Steve Jeager defeated long standing FSL champion Randell Wellings convincingly over the weekend putting Steve in good position to bring a medal home from the World Titles in Hervey Bay this June.












Some archers were more impressed with their scorecard than others. Jodi was that impresed with her PB of 378 that she took a photo of it for her scrapbooks. Lucky for Stuart he came in with 380 that morning leaving his pride along with other things still intact.












Here is Jodi after an outstanding effort at her first National event.















Although equipment problems plauged Jodi in this event it was still good to see she remained competetive enought to bring a medal home.















The ranges were harder than a walk up porky lookout but Jodi put the head down and came out on top after 4 arduous days of solid archery.













After picking up ten points and the lead for the BHL division on the last day by target 14, I managed to wrong pin twice on target 16 thus putting an end to my hopes of a IFAA gold medal in 2006. After a couple of drinks that night I just put it all down to experience, bit like learning to drive by crashing your fathers Merc.












Josh shot well in all three events but found stiff competition in all three disiplines, good training for future events.





















The barebow compound style is probably the most hotly contested division at the national ABA / 3D events, to come home with a medal of any description is a big achievement, well done Ken.



Mick Patrick slogged it out with his local rival and others but still managed to stay on the podeum, must have been something to do with the accomodation.



Peter Stubbs was the dark horse, graded into a division though well above his grade but still shone through with some exceptional archery, watch out Darryl and Mick.


Cameron Hill and Jamie Thompson also had success in the JBBHL division, well done and stay away from those release aids and adjustable sights, BHL is where the fun is guys.




Wade Hudson proved beyond a doubt he is one of the best Junior Barebow archers around easily taking out his division at the National level this year.






Branch E, NNSW, also took out the gold in the Branch titles for the second year in a row.


Some had better weeks than others............hey tingle.

National Titles Easter 2006 The After Party

IFAA Animal Round

This Sunday saw forty eight local archers take to the Wondobah Range for an IFAA Animal round. The IFAA Animal target utilises two score zones, a larger than normal kill zone and then the remainder of the animal being a wound zone. Three arrows maybe shot with the first scoring arrow the only scoring arrow. Each arrow must be numbered one two and three and shot in sequence. A first arrow kill = 20 pts, a wound 18 pts, each subsiquent arrow and zone losing 2 points if needed. A possible total of 560 is available from the 28 targets.

The IFAA Animal round is one that many good archers will score close to or 100% on, but at the same time it can be frustrating and is not to be taken lightly due to it revealing form or equipments flaws quiet quickly. Twenty eight targets in all can also test most archers concentration and stamina.

All in all some very good scores were shot, Ben Ireland only dropping 2 pts for the entire round. Club records were also set by Jodi Dolbel in the womens open division and Sebastian and Sophie Donovan in their respective cub divisions. Shane Thompson also shot well in Cub Olympic style setting a new club record too.

Jodi Dolbel 542 Womens Open
Cassie Neuendorf 488 Womens Open

Karen Hudson 360 Womens Compound
Mega Readett 186 Womens Compound
Shelly Abra 150 Womens Compound

Jackson Howes 346 Ungraded
Kye Oliver 286 Ungraded

Darryl Hudson 368 Mens Traditional
Peter Stubbs 320 Mens Traditional

Ben Ireland 558 Mens Open
Steve Jaeger 556 Mens Open
Sam Bates 552 Mens Open
John Clark 548 Mens Open
Simon Marquett 526 Mens Open
David Buckingham 520 Mens Open
Lloyd Jauja 172 Mens Open

Philip Porter 518 Mens Compound
Ken Thompson 500 Mens Compound
Col Hall 490 Mens Compound
Steve Woodward 434 Mens Compound
Ken Hill 396 Mens Compound
Glen Readett 384 Mens Compound
Peter Hampton 346 Mens Compound
Neal Morris 338 Mens Compound

Stuart Dolbel 550 Mens Bowhunter Limited
Greg Donovan 496 Mens Bowhunter Limited
Scott Porter 490 Mens Bowhunter Limited
Rob Porter 470 Mens Bowhunter Limited

Amy Stubbs 210 Girl Junior Compound

Sophie Donovan 358 Cub Girl Compound
Janika Readett 344 Cub Girl Compound

Jarrod Stubbs 344 Cub Boy Traditional

Sebastian Donovan 538 Cub Boy Open
Mathew Jauja 424 Cub Boy Open

Shane Thompson 454 Cub Boy Olympic

Shaun Boyd-McCaw 384 Cub Boy Compound
Jordan Hampton 364 Cub Boy Compound
Dan Morris 232 Cub Boy Compound

Hayden Baker 328 Boy Little Archer

Mathew Whitman 440 Boy Junior Open
Cameron Hill 318 Boy Junior Open

Wade Hudson 500 Boy Junior Compound
Blake Hampton 432 Boy Junior Compound
Ben Stubbs 420 Boy Junior Compound
Ben Morris 340 Boy Junior Compound
Codie Oliver 284 Boy Junior Compound
Aydan Wharton 262 Boy Junior Compound
Damian Woodward 120 Boy Junior Compound

Hunter: Two Day Shoot Results

The first ABA two day shoot event for the callander year was held last weekend at the Hunter Bowman range at Maitland.

A good field of 107 archer took to the range to shoot and ABA three arrow / one arrow round on Saturday and then a two arrow round with both arrows counting on Sunday.

Scores were mixed with some dissapointing and excellent scores in on the first day. Sunday was much more of a fun day and most scores reflected the more relaxed environment. If was the last chance for most archers to get in some ABA practise prior to the Natinals at Oranage in a couple of week.

By the end of the two days the nine person team from Namoi Valley Archers bought home 6 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medal.

Scores:
2006 ABA Invitation
Hunter Bowman
CUB GIRLS COMPOUND D GRADE
1 Salter Laura 146 120 0 222 488
2 Almond Samantha 170 104 0 188 462
3 Yarnold Iaisha 96 54 0 138 288
4 Peck Ashlee 0 0 0 0 0

CUB BOYS RECURVE D GRADE
1 Wells Tim 44 16 0 96 156

CUB BOYS COMPOUND D GRADE
1 Wells Matthew 188 216 0 450 854
2 Taylor Brenden 210 178 0 304 692
3 Young Shaun 170 122 0 338 630
4 Lynch Mitchell 98 18 0 170 286

CUB BOYS COMPOUND C GRADE
1 Morrissey Jarrod 312 326 0 362 1000

CUB BOYS COMPOUND B GRADE
1 Salter Brendon 288 240 0 626 1154

JNR GIRLS FREESTYLE UNLTD FLT 2
1 Elliott Jessica ug 376 386 0 756 1518
2 Davidson Melinda ug 292 84 0 432 808

JNR GIRLS RECURVE D GRADE
1 Dein Shannon 190 122 0 238 550

JNR GIRLS RECURVE A GRADE
1 Maile Lorrin 56 0 0 108 164

JNR GIRLS COMPOUND C GRADE
1 Gorton Kimberley 254 270 0 388 912
2 Pender Shari 190 124 0 304 618

JNR GIRLS COMPOUND A GRADE
1 Everingham Melissa 136 140 0 286 562

JNR BOYS BOWHUNTER LIMITED FLT 2
1 Hanrahan Ben 262 242 0 558 1062
2 Hill Cameron 238 214 0 366 818

JNR BOYS FREESTYLE LIMITED COMPOUND FLT 1
1 Fulton Alex 314 284 0 482 1080

JNR BOYS BOWHUNTER UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Waters Stuart 364 334 0 680 1378

JNR BOYS FREESTYLE UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Dolbel Josh 350 384 0 754 1488
2 Cummins Daniel 364 348 0 724 1436
3 Elliott Mathew 294 336 0 726 1356
4 Young Jesse 234 252 0 626 1112

JNR BOYS FREESTYLE UNLIMITED FLT 1
1 Munns Tom 380 378 0 776 1534
2 Baker Jake 322 284 0 698 1304

JNR BOYS COMPOUND C GRADE
1 Woodward Damien 172 124 0 342 638

JNR BOYS COMPOUND B GRADE
1 Salter Timothy 340 304 0 558 1202
2 Stephenson Brandon 232 72 0 370 674

JNR BOYS COMPOUND A GRADE
1 Gill Patrick 276 242 0 510 1028
2 Thornton Stephen 256 190 0 482 928
3 Martin Andrew 248 212 0 392 852

JNR BOYS COMPOUND ADVANCED GRADE
1 Pryce Dane 358 326 0 708 1392

MENS VETERANS - SIGHTED DIVISION
1 Swan Milton 324 320 0 544 1188

LADIES BOWHUNTER LIMITED FLT 2
1 Coote Vera 336 318 0 676 1330
2 Derrick Reyna 324 302 0 690 1316
3 Miller Kate 316 274 0 690 1280

LADIES FREESTYLE LIMITED RECURVE FLIGHT 2
1 Gorton Wendy 236 210 0 412 858

LADIES FREESTYLE LIMITED COMPOUND FLT 2
1 Stephenson Judy 352 248 0 460 1060

LADIES BOWHUNTER UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Neuendorf Cassie 320 212 0 588 1120

LADIES FREESTYLE UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Fairhall Lynne 366 336 0 716 1418
2 Wagner Linda ug 346 320 0 702 1368

LADIES RECURVE D GRADE
1 Taylor Gail 162 86 0 232 480

LADIES COMPOUND D GRADE
1 Salter Noeline 256 198 0 358 812

LADIES COMPOUND C GRADE
1 Pender Lynne 0 0 0 0 0

LADIES COMPOUND B GRADE
1 Brooks Michelle 232 160 0 386 778

LADIES COMPOUND A GRADE
1 Taylor Nicole 140 74 0 134 348

MENS BOWHUNTER LIMITED FLT 2
1 Dolbel Stuart 380 344 0 768 1492
2 McCarthy John 290 218 0 588 1096
3 Gorton Malcolm 322 254 0 434 1010
4 Nolan Mitchell 294 170 0 288 752

MENS BOWHUNTER LIMITED FLT 1
1 Miller Barney 392 386 0 770 1548

MENS FREESTYLE LIMITED RECURVE FLT 2
1 McCarthy Bill 348 302 0 632 1282

MENS FREESTYLE LIMITED RECURVE FLT 1
1 Fairhall Tynan 328 346 0 694 1368

MENS FREESTYLE LIMITED COMPOUND FLT 2
1 Taylor Robert 302 324 0 624 1250

MENS FREESTYLE LIMITED COMPOUND FLT 1
1 Sweeney Ray 362 366 0 760 1488

MENS BOWHUNTER UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Wells Fenn 364 322 0 690 1376
2 Smith Jason 342 350 0 606 1298
3 Dein Daniel 294 300 0 510 1104
4 Weir Simeon 0 0 0 0 0


MENS BOWHUNTER UNLIMITED FLT 1
1 Billet Chris 388 380 0 784 1552
2 Bonanno Michael Ug 378 370 0 716 1464
3 JenningsJeff 378 324 0 756 1458
4 Elliott Ian ug 374 348 0 724 1446
5 Derrick Keith 366 300 0 724 1390
6 Nicholls Damien ug 320 290 0 676 1286
7 Weir Simeon 314 266 0 632 1212
8 Featherstone Cameron 370 320 0 0 690

MENS FREESTYLE UNLIMITED FLT 2
1 Bates Sam 390 394 0 788 1572
2 Wall Greg 376 342 0 738 1456
3 Apps Cecil 332 374 0 726 1432
4 Freeman Glen 338 290 0 638 1266

MENS FREESTYLE UNLIMITED FLT 1
1 Miles Gerard 392 390 0 796 1578
2 Clebsch Eddie 386 392 0 780 1558
3 Ireland Ben 380 390 0 782 1552
4 Tilbrook Adam 388 392 0 766 1546
5 Carney Jack 382 388 0 730 1500
6 Nichols Gary 372 366 0 750 1488
7 Smedley Alastair 372 334 0 686 1392

MENS LONGBOW D GRADE
1 Key Stuart 130 16 0 0 146
MENS RECURVE B GRADE
1 Peck Karl 264 200 0 358 822
2 Wheeler Mark 240 176 0 400 816
MENS COMPOUND D GRADE
1 Young Tony 248 126 0 304 678
2 Morrissey David 210 106 0 308 624
MENS COMPOUND C GRADE
1 Woodward Stephen 282 138 0 312 732


MENS COMPOUND B GRADE
1 Salter Robert 354 334 0 600 1288
2 Pryce Geoff 300 306 0 546 1152
3 Pender Stuart 300 224 0 558 1082
4 Courtney Paul 312 260 0 456 1028
5 Renolds Bob 298 244 0 470 1012
6 Smith Ken 266 212 0 462 940
7 Almond Peter 292 256 0 364 912
8 Hill Ken 220 218 0 464 902
9 Gill Mal 278 196 0 406 880
10 Chalker Peter 282 146 0 430 858
11 Brooks Wes 232 202 0 412 846
12 Nolan Matthew 0 0 0 0 0

MENS COMPOUND A GRADE
1 Scott Ron 368 276 0 680 1324
2 Mitchell Grahame 348 310 0 646 1304
3 Everingham Mark 328 314 0 574 1216
4 Fairhall Peter 346 266 0 566 1178
5 Lucas Keith 302 252 0 564 1118
6 Mitchell Ty 196 178 0 346 720
7 Yarnold Malcolm 198 128 0 308 634
8 Lynch Scott 184 194 0 246 624
9 Jefferson Jamie 102 34 0 192 328

MENS COMPOUND MASTERS GRADE
1 Smith Bob 270 232 0 554 1056