Nationals, NVA Shines

Namoi Valley Archers returned from the Australian Field Archery Championships held in Charleville, Queensland with a massive haul of 34 medals across the 2 disciplines contested over the Easter weekend. The club has big contingent of 20 archers at the 4 day tournament winning medals across all styles of archery underlining the clubs’ all round strength. Australian championships were contested in the ABA National event held over 4 rounds and the 3D event held over 2 rounds. The organizers made a major change in the ABA National event this year dropping one of the 3 arrow rounds for a 2 arrow all count round on Sunday while the 3D event was contested under the IFAA rules which will be used at the 2011 World Bowhunter Championships to be held in Wagga Wagga.

Wade Hudson stamped himself as the best barebow compound archer in the country winning both the ABA and 3D titles in the elite Masters division with a sublime display of precision archery. Hudson was streets ahead of his opposition in both events winning the ABA crown by 74 points and the 3D event by a massive 113 points. A remarkable achievement as Hudson has had limited time on the range due to his studies at the University of New England. Hudson also achieved the rare feat of winning four gold medals at the championships, after being selected in the Northern NSW team which won both the ABA team event and the 3D team event. Organizers were so impressed with the level of Hudson’s performance that his scores were announced round by round at the presentation in acknowledgement of his prowess over the tournament.

The club finished with a total of 9 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals in the ABA Championships. Matt Wittman had a wonderful tournament finishing with the silver medal in the premier sighted division, Freestyle Unlimited -Flight 1. Wittman was tied for the lead after the first 2 rounds but lost ground during the 2 arrow round and despite turning in a brilliant last round Wittman could not close the gap. This was a superb performance by Wittman who at just 18 gave away years of experience to his opposition. Greg Donovan scored a big win in Freestyle Unlimited – Flight 2 with a terrific performance across the 4 rounds and will be joining Matt Wittman in the elite Flight 1 after this outstanding showing with club mate Gordon White also shooting well to take third. Ken Thompson scored another an Australian title taking out the Freestyle Limited Recurve event with a dominating performance while Lloyd Jauja took home the silver in Bowhunter Unlimited - Flight 2 missing out on top spot by just 6 points. Bernie Hayne finished with the silver in the Hunter division with a typically courageous display showing real strength of character across the 4 day tournament. Denise Stevenson seems to have found her home in Freestyle Limited showing some excellent form to win the silver medal with a consistent display across the 4 rounds. The clubs’ traditional archers performed well with mark Stevenson winning his first Australian medal taking out the Longbow Modern event posting some top scores across the weekend. Peter Stubbs finished with the silver in the Recurve B grade contest with club mate Darrell Hudson taking third. Stubbs was right in contention for the win after the first day of competition but the eventual winner found another gear to finish too strongly for Stubbs to take the win. The newly promoted Ann Stubbs rounded out the medal haul with a great display in Compound B grade to take the silver medal. The clubs junior archers also performed extremely well with Matthew Jauja showing his class to take the Freestyle Unlimited – Flight 1 crown with a dominant display while Zac Hayne underlined his rapid improvement to finish with gold in Freestyle Unlimited – Flight 2. Shane Thompson shot particularly well to take the title in Freestyle Recurve with youngsters Krystal Jauja, Freestyle Unlimited and Sophie Donovan, Freestyle Limited both taking home Australian gold medals in the Cub competition.

The club also dominated in the 3D event winning 9 gold, 3 silver and 5 bronze medals. Matt Wittman again showed why he is regarded as one of the country’s best up and coming archers scoring a bronze in the ultra competitive Freestyle Unlimited division. Greg Donovan stamped his class in Flight 2 of the same division with his second gold medal of the weekend with team mate Gordon White battling hard for third place. Ken Thompson scored double gold taking out the Freestyle Rcurve contest with another consistent performance and Lloyd Jauja grabbed bronze in a tough Bowhunter Unlimited - Flight 2 field with a polished display. Bernie Hayne showed his liking for the 3D style taking a silver in the Hunter division with Denise Stevenson shooting well to finish with the bronze in Freestyle Limited. Ann Stubbs scored an impressive win in Compound B grade, her first win in this division since her recent promotion while Karen Hudson battled equipment problems all weekend but did enough to take the bronze in Compound A grade showing her mental toughness over the 2 rounds. Longbow exponent Mark Stevenson added another gold to his collection with a win in Modern Longbow while Peter Stubbs finished third in Recurve B grade. The clubs junior brigade were once again on song with Shane Thompson to good for his opposition on his way to winning Freestyle Limited Recurve with Zac Hayne scoring well to take the Freestyle Unlimited – Flight 2 crown. Sebastian Donovan showed real tenacity to score a great second place in a very competitive Bowhunter Unlimited event underlining his recent surge in form. Cubs, Krystal Jauja and Sophie Donovan completed a golden weekend each taking their second gold medal in their respective divisions to complete a hugely successful tournament for the local club.