2024 AUSTRALIAN ARCHERY
OLYMPIC TEAM ANNOUNCENENT
We are thrilled to announce that Laura Paeglis and Peter Boukouvalas have been selected to the Australian Olympic Team , and will make their Olympic debut at Paris' iconic Esplanade des lnvalides Twenty-two-year-old Laura Paeglis will compete in the women's individual event, while twenty-five-year-old Peter Boukouvalas was selected for the men's individual event. Nations for the mixed team's event will be determined by the top 16 ranked teams based on the combined scores from the individual qualification round on 25 July.
Paris 2024 represents the 14th consecutive Olympic Games in which Australia will compete in archery, continuing a legacy that began at the Munich 1972 Games While Australian men have participated in every Games since then, this will be the 12th appearance for Australian women
"I'm delighted to announce Laura and Peters selection to the Australian Olympic Team for Paris 2024," AOC President Ian Chesterman said "Being selected to your first Olympic Team is a remarkable achievement Both Laura and Peter should be very proud to represent our country in Paris "
"An athlete's journey is filled with ups and downs, but today is a testament not only to their sporting prowess but also to their resilience and determination " "I had the honour of witnessing both athletes compete at the 2023 Pacific Games, and I look forward to seeing them perform on the Olympic stage in just 21 days' time "
Laura Paeglis was part of the Australian Team that secured the mixed team quota for Australia at the 2023 Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, earning Australia an individual men's and women's quota Over the past six months, the Victorian solidified her place on the team across five qualifying events
"It feels amazing to be selected for my first Olympics; this has been a dream of mine for a long time and to be selected is just the best feeling in the world," Paeglis shared "It's almost hard to believe, after so many years of training and striving towards this goal, to be in this position is incredibly exciting "
"I have been working so hard over the last few years to make this happen, so I really want to go into the Olympics and perform my absolute best " "I want to thank everyone who helped get me here, particularly my family My dad has helped coach me, my mum has always been my biggest fan, and both my siblings have always been so supportive They've all been amazing through this whole journey ”
Sydney-local Peter Boukouvalas expressed his honour in being selected to his first Olympic Team "It feels surreal I am not sure it has fully sunk in yet that I have been selected for my first Olympic Games," he said "I have been so focused on the task at hand, which was to qualify, that I haven't had the chance to stop and fully appreciate what I have achieved " "To wear the Olympic rings and the green and gold has always been a dream of mine I am really looking forward to taking it all in, enjoying everything the Olympics has to offer, and savouring every moment "
Archery Australia CEO Mick Maclennan welcomed the announcement. "I would like to congratulate Laura and Peter on their Australian Olympic Team selection representing archery," Mr. Maclennan said "Thank you to the coaches, support systems, institutes, and clubs who fostered a community playing an integral role in preparing these athletes for the qualifying competitions and upcoming Games. You should all be very proud of the work you have done to be here "
2024 AUSTRALIAN ARCHERY
PARALYMPIC TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT
Archery Australia's Largest Paralympic Team in 40 Years Announced
Australia's largest Paralympic archery team in four decades was proudly unveiled at a special event at Admiralty House in Sydney, hosted by Paralympics Australia's Patron-in-Chief, the Governor-General David Hurley, and Mrs. Linda Hurley.
Their Excellencies, who are dedicated supporters of the Australian Paralympic Team, presented a framed Coat of Arms and beret to each athlete, announced by Chef de Mission Kate Mcloughlin. The event also saw the presence of Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh, representatives from Archery Australia, and distinguished guests representing Major and Official Partners of Paralympics Australia
The six Para-archers named for the Paris Paralympics are:
Jonathon Milne, a bronze medallist at Rio 2016, competing in his third Paralympic Games
Taymon Kenton-Smith, was selected for his second Paralympic Games
Amanda Jennings, a Rio 2016 Para-canoe silver medallist and two-time Paralympian who transitioned to archery after Tokyo 2020
Ameera Lee, making her Paralympic debut after narrowly missing selection for Tokyo 2020
Melissa Tanner, a former canoeist is making her Paralympic debut
Patrick French, a rising star making his Paralympic debut
While Australia won seven quota spots, reigning W1 Men's World Champion Christopher Davis had to withdraw due to injury, having undergone shoulder surgery
This six-strong team is the largest Australia has sent since 1984 The last time Australia had seven archers qualify for the Paralympics was in 1976
Australia has historically won three gold medals in Paralympic archery, with the last podium finish being Jonathon Milne's bronze in 2016 National Para-archery coach Ricci Cheah believes this squad has the potential for breakthrough results
''Jono has a strong chance for a medal given his current performance," said Cheah "Our mixed teams in compound and recurve also show promise for team medals, depending on consistent performanceI' Cheah has been instrumental in the resurgence of Para-archery, especially after no Australian archers competed in Beijing 2008 or London 2012
"I'm always pleased with the progress, and I'm driven to keep improving Building a robust team of assistant coaches post-Tokyo was crucial," Cheah shared "We've seen a significant increase in participants, and our focus has been on developing them "
Archery Australia has invested significantly in Para-archery over the past few years, embracing the philosophy that "Archery is a sport for all." This commitment has been reflected in the support, resources, and development programs dedicated to growing thesport and nurturing talent at all levels. The organisation's efforts have led to a vibrant and competitive Para-archery community, contributing to the success and growth of the sport in Australia.
Chef de Mission Mcloughlin acknowledged archery as one of the success stories since Tokyo, citing consistent global competition results and Australia's first Para-archery world championship gold medal "Congratulations to the athletes named today The competition at Esplanade des lnvalides will be spectacular, and we eagerly await your performances,'' Mcloughlin said "We thank Their Excellencies for hosting this event and their unwavering support "
CEO REPORT
Mid-Year Reflections
As we pass the halfway point of the year, it has certainly been jam-packed major events We've seen senior staff members depart and welcomed ne seamless transition and continued progress with some exciting times ahead of us
2024 Paris Olympic/Paralympic Teams
Congratulations to all athletes, coaches and staff selected to the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams Olympic team will feature Laura Paeglis (VIS) and Peter Boukouvalas (NSWIS) Coach Ya Ping Shih (NSWIS), Team Leader - Graeme Rose (AA) Paralympic team will be Jonathon Milne (NSWIS), Patrick French (VIS), Taymon Kenton-Smith (QLD), Ameera Lee (NSWIS), Amanda Jennings (QAS), and Melissa Tanner (QAS) Head Coach – Ricci Cheah, Assistant Coaches – Sarah Fuller and Alex King, Carer – Lee Louden, Team Manager – Andy Burns (NSWIS)
We extend our best wishes to all the athletes and are confident they will make Australia, their families, and friends proud.
Play Well Grant Funding
I would like to thank the Australian Sports Commission again for awarding Archery Australia funding for our Play Well grant proposal. Our proposal advocated for the growth of our sport by increasing participation at the grassroots level, building partnerships with organisations such as Sporting Schools Australia and supporting RGBs and clubs helping alleviate administrative work for volunteers at the RGB level
In the coming weeks, we will begin advertising for participation development leads across the country
Strategic Planning for LA 2028
While we are eagerly anticipating the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games, our High Performance (HP) team and administration have been working behind the scenes on a new strategy for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle Stay tuned f d d elop and refine the Australian HP programs
Major Competitions
A jammed packed start to the year saw 4 major national competitions all within three months of each other The National Youth Championships, Para National Championships, World Oceania Para Grand Prix and, the National Field and Open Field Championship has been a highlight of the year so far
National Indoor Championships
The recent National Indoor Championships, held in early July, were a tremendous success It was especially encouraging to see a significant number of youth archers competing, showcasing the future talent of our sport
Thank you to all the clubs for hosting these major events, The countless volunteers who helped make these events a success and all the judges and officials that ensure all competitions were fair and ran seamlessly
Congratulations to the athletes selected to represen anada, for the 2024 World Archery Field Championships in September
We are looking forward to the National Target Championships this October in Canberra It is fantastic to see so many registrations already. The high level of interest and participation bodes well for the event
22ND-28TH
OCTOBER
National Target Championships
INTEGRITY UPDATE
Sport Integrity Courses
Calling all coaches to join us in our upcoming webinar Clean Sport for Coaches as part of our Clean Fair Sport series.
This webinar will explore practices for promoting clean sport and embedding integrity values in your coaching approach. It is suitable for coaches at all levels of sport The session will include a Q&A with a panel of coaches who will provide actionable advice and share their experiences in fostering a culture of clean sport.
Share this with your coach or club! Register now: https://shorturl at/3eGPv
Latest edition of Sport Integrity Matters is out now!
Lots covered including hearing from Kate McLoughlin and Anna Meares ahead of the upcoming Paris games, learn more on the impacts of concussion in sport, safeguarding, celebrating four years of Sport Integrity Australia and more.
AA OBITUARY
In
Memoriam: Kate Turner
Archery Australia mourns the loss of Kate Turner, a cherished member of our community who passed away on the 22nd of June after a battle with cancer. Kate’s passing is a significant loss for all who knew her, especially her family, friends, and fellow archers
Kate Turner was an integral part of Archery SA, serving as the Youth Committee Coordinator from 2021 to 2023 Known for her warm nature, engaging smile, and infectious laugh, Kate treated everyone with respect and kindness Her dedication to the sport and her unwavering support for young archers made a lasting impact
Kate joined Eden Field Archers in 2017, transferring from Southern Vales. She quickly became involved in club matters, volunteering for the Club’s Member Protection Group and assisting with events and tournaments Her most notable contribution was advocating for Junior Members, organizing events, and promoting their views and suggestions
In June 2021, Kate assumed the co-role of Youth Committee Coordinator with ARCHERY SA, where she continued to champion the interests of young archers Her efforts were instrumental in securing ARCHERY SA's support for the 2023 Trans Tasman Tournament.
Beyond her contributions to archery, Kate was a devoted partner and a dedicated mother to Josh and Jenna She celebrated her children's achievements with immense pride and was a constant source of encouragement to them.
On the 6th of July, a bright sunny day, we said our final goodbyes to Kate Kate's legacy of kindness, enthusiasm, and commitment to the archery community will be remembered fondly
Kate, we will miss you every day. Rest in peace, dear friend. Your memory will forever remain in our hearts
Archery Australia Community
AA OBITUARY
In Memoriam: Andrew Fluck
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of previous board member Andrew Fluck On behalf of the entire Board and staff of Archery Australia, I extend our deepest condolences to Andrew’s family, friends, and the broader archery community
Andrew was elected to the Archery Australia Board in 2018 Throughout his tenure he had an unwavering passion and commitment for the sport and ensuring unity throughout all levels of the organisation Andrew’s expertise and experience in education, information technology and governance supported the innovative and strategic directions of the organisation as a whole When making decisions he focused on the bigger picture and had an uncanny ability to accurately depict the reactions by members to many decisions. Andrew always considered the members and the grassroots of the sport and understood the contributions made by volunteers at club level
His dedication and contributions were not limited to the board room He became a national and Continental Judge, being a constant presence at events and competitions locally, nationally and within the Oceania region He actively promoted judge education and improvement and was instrumental in creating the calibration range at Hobart Archers to allow for consistency in judges range finding devices This passion for education also stemmed to his coaching role where he supported the initial development of online learning platforms with the updated accreditation framework Andrew also undertook numerous volunteer and committee positions, from club secretary through to officials and IT committees at a national level Andrew embodied the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that defines our organisation and was always keen to share he passion for his longbow! Anyone who interacted with Adnrew saw the evidence of his enjoyment and connection to the sport and the people in it
In remembering Andrew, we celebrate his legacy of service, his enthusiasm and passion for archery, as well as his friendship and kindness His leadership and influence will continue to be remembered We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Andrew for his contributions and steadfast dedication to this amazing sport May their memory inspire us all to continue with his passion and energy and keep the spirit of archery thriving.
With deepest sympathy and respect,
Melissa Mongan Board Chair, Archery Australia
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
provided some resources to help guide you through this process
On the Archery Australia website via the links below, you can find the following resources:
How to renew your membership
Finding your online membership cards
How to find and register for an event
Note to our valued Archery Australia members regarding your renewal for the first time on the new Assemble database.
Please note that when renewing an individual membership your new expiry date will be exactly 1 year from when you have renewed with Assemble. This mean if you have renewed a lot earlier than your current expiry date it will shorten your membership period.
With any change there can be some challenges and unfortunately this one area which can not be changed due to date imported from the old system to the Assemble platform.
It is recommended where practically possible to renew as close as possible to your expiry date Archery Australia can edit expiry dates if required
Moving forward, any future renewals on Assemble won’t cause this issue and the expiry date will remain the same.
If you have renewed your membership early, have any further questions or require assistance we are happy to help where we can, please communicate with Casey to work through any technical issues via email Support@archery.org.au
Get Ready for the Pan Pacific Masters Games 2024
Archery Australia is in full support on the upcoming Pan Pacific Masters Games, set to take place from November 1st to 10th, 2024, on the beautiful Gold Coast. This biennial event promises to bring together thousands of master athletes from around the globe for a celebration of sport, competition, and camaraderie.
About the Pan Pacific Masters Games
The Pan Pacific Masters Games is the largest biennial masters games in the world, attracting over 13,000 participants from more than 30 countries. The event offers competitions in over 40 sports, including archery, providing a unique opportunity for athletes aged 30 and above to compete in a friendly yet competitive environment
Archery at the Games
The archery competition will feature a range of categories and formats, ensuring that participants of all skill levels can take part and enjoy the event Whether you're a seasoned competitor or new to the sport, the Pan Pacific Masters Games offer a fantastic platform to showcase your skills and meet fellow archery enthusiasts.
Event Details
Dates: November 1st - 10th, 2024
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Venue: Specific venue details for archery will be provided closer to the event
Registration Information
Registration for the Pan Pacific Masters Games is now open. Athletes are encouraged to register early to secure their spot and take advantage of early bird discounts. Detailed information about registration, competition schedules, and accommodation options can be found on the official Pan Pacific Masters Games website
