Young archers keep focus to secure national medals

Maintaining focus and faith in yourself is the key to hitting the point target, according to two Rockingham girls shooting for the stars in archery.

Baldivis Archery Club members Samantha Cullen, 16, and Elana Kardol, 14, travelled to the Australian National Youth Archery Championships in Penrith, NSW earlier this month to compete against more than 200 youngsters.

Samantha, who competed in Cadet Female Recurve, won two gold medals in the field and clout events, while Elana, who competed in the Intermediate Female Recurve, came home with three silver medals in the target, match play, and clout events.

To keep in form, the girls shoot twice a week, firing at least 72 arrows each time, and do strength training every day to build up muscle for pulling back the bow.

Samantha said she was overjoyed with her results.

"I was so happy for myself for achieving this because it is what I have dreamed of from when I started shooting," she said.

Samantha said the championships were a bit nerve wracking because of the high quality of competitors she was up against.

"I ignored the nerves - the training kicks in and you have to maintain focus," she said.

"You can't doubt yourself at any time - you have to have the faith that you can do it and keep going.

"I went there wanting one bronze medal and I came home with two gold medals, so I was over the moon."

Elana said it was her second time competing in nationals and she knew what to expect.

"The championships had a great atmosphere and it was great to be doing what I love," she said.

"I was very happy with winning silver."

Archery WA coach Ken Birch said the girls' performance was impressive and he rated them among the top six archery youth in Australia.

"I was very happy with their performance and the way they maintained their shooting technique," he said.

"They were excellent."

Both girls were inspired to pick up their first bows in 2011 and have been shooting ever since.

The girls will have a break before they start training for selection in next year's State Championships.