The Victorian State Short Range Championships returned to Werribee for the first time in 15 years on Sunday.
The event, held at the Werribee Archery grounds at Lawrie Emmins Reserve, Laverton North, brought together 116 archers from across the state.
Archers travelled from all corners of Victoria, including Warrnambool, Wangaratta, Chewton, Benalla, Geelong, Ballarat, and various clubs in the Melbourne metropolitan area to compete in the event.
Despite the challenging weather, with gusts of wind reaching up to 54 km/h, the athletes persevered and there were some impressive scores achieved across all age groups with athletes ranging from 11 to 77 years old.
Werribee president Irene Norman said they were particularly proud of their local athletes that excelled on the day.
“Thirteen members of the club competed, earning an outstanding five gold and four silver state medals,” she said.
“Additionally, three other club members finished in the top ten in their respective divisions, placing fourth, seventh, and 10th. This remarkable performance demonstrated the strength and skill of Werribee Archery’s competitors.”
Among the competitors for Werribee, was Lily Helleren who won the under-16 female compound event and Sophie Helleren who won the under-18 female compound event.
Ayaan Qureshi and Arjun Guha went one-two in the under-16 male barebow recurve event, while Tim Lu won the under-16 male recurve event.
Norman said the championships were a remarkable success, showcasing not only the competitive spirit of archers from across the state but also the warmth and hospitality of Werribee Archery.
“This was one of the largest and most successful state championships in recent years,” she said.
“It was a privilege to host such a talented group of athletes. A huge thanks to our dedicated volunteers who helped organize and execute this professional and inspiring event. Well done to everyone involved.
“The club looks forward to hosting future events and continuing to support the growth of archery in Victoria.”
Meanwhile, Archery Victoria president Ross Gooding and board members Malcolm Barker and Marcus Anear presented Norman, with a plaque for her 15 years of dedicated service on the Archery Victoria board.
