By LIAM HAUSER
A trio of rookies competed in an Australia Bowhunters Association (ABA) round at the Namoi Valley Archers club last Sunday, as they were among 11 participants at the Gunnedah archery venue.
Dakodah Ashford and Jayne Smith were in their maiden archery competition after taking part in a recent come-and-try event at the club, while last Sunday was also the first time Dakodah’s mum Debbie competed in archery.
There were round targets and animal targets, with some of the shooters referring to cartoon character Elmer Fudd’s renowned catchphrase ‘Wascally wabbit’.
With the participants split into two groups of four and a group of three, Debbie and Dakodah received plenty of tips from local archery coach Greg Donovan.
Jayne meanwhile benefited from being in a group which included experienced campaigners Peter and Ann Stubbs.
As for why she recently chose to give archery a go, Jayne said she was “umming and ahing about it” when she saw the come-and-try event on social media.
“I was looking for something new to try as a hobby,” she said.
“It was good timing, I was thinking about it and it was there.”
Jayne said she liked the fact that the sport was played outside, while she was also given good tips about the sport.
“The tiniest change can make a big difference,” she said.
Dakodah said she had played archery on a Nintendo Wii, and had the chance to experience the “real thing” on a Year 9 camp earlier this year.
Having hit the bullseye twice and narrowly missed it another time, Dakodah said she was keen to take up archery as it was good to have an activity in addition to school and work commitments.
Debbie meanwhile came on board due to Dakodah’s interest, and she looked forward to spending more time with Dakodah in this chosen sport.
RESULTS
ABA – Black Stump Range:
Norm Webster AMBHR 264 and 258 (total 522)
Scott Smith AMBH U/Ltd 322 and 270 (592)
Brody Smith JBBH U/Ltd 272 and 158 (430)
Bernie Hayne AM TRAD 304 and 260 (564)
Peter Stubbs AMBHR 276 and 184 (460)
Ann Stubbs AFBHC 318 and 276 (594)
Michael Dwyer AMBH U/Ltd 252 and DNS (252)
Conan Dwyer JBBH U/Ltd 290 and DNS (290)
Jayne Smith (Beginner) AFBHR 208 and 228 (436)
Dakodah Ashford (Beginner) JGBHR 136 and 102 (238)
Debbie Ashford (Beginner) AFBHR 130 and 98 (228).
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