


South West Slopes Sporting Field Archers, the Tumut Archery Club, played host to the NSW State 3D Titles on September 21st and 22nd in spectacular surroundings.
The event brought over 70 competitors and their families to Tumut for the 2-day competition.
Saturday morning started with registrations, equipment checks and shoot groups being carried out before the competitors headed out for the first of four rounds.
Archers faced almost perfect shooting weather with a little cloud cover, a nice temperature and no wind, the only challenge was Will Tilbrook’s (Tumut’s Range Captain) courses. Will set some excellent courses with good use of terrain which made distance judging very difficult.
After 20 targets the competitors gathered at the Clubhouse for a short lunch break before heading out to shoot the next 20 targets.
On Saturday afternoon, once the main competition was completed the Tumut club conducted a Knife and Axe throwing Round. Knife and Axe throwing has been a long-lived tradition within Archery.
Knife and Axe Throwing is divided into two divisions, Junior (under 17) and Senior.
Tumut’s member, Ned Henshaw at only 8 years old came into his own and won the Knife competition beating out some much older competitors (second and third place getters were aged 17).
The next 40 targets were completed on Sunday on another challenging set by Will Tilbrook.
Junior archer, Max Niikkula, faced a compound bow string issue part way through the first 20 target round but to his credit he continued the competition using a recurve bow. Max had to stay in the Compound Division but his decision to continue and stay in the competition showed true strength of character and impressed many of his competitors.
After the 80 targets were completed archers and their families gathered at the Tumut clubhouse for a Raffle which consisted of prizes generously donated by local Businesses.
Following the raffle the trophy presentation was held. The Tumut club is proud of all 15 members that competed and especially the 7 State Champions.
Club member results –
Ned Henshaw – STATE CHAMPION -1st – Cubs Bowhunter Compound
Bill Henshaw – STATE CHAMPION – 1st – Cubs Freestyle Limited
Max Niikkula – 2nd – Junior Boys Bowhunter Unlimited
Chloe Thomas – STATE CHAMPION – 1st – Junior Girls Freestyle Unlimited
Jess Frowd – 2nd – Junior Girls Freestyle Unlimited
David Buckingham – 2nd – Bowhunter Recurve
Brian Bush – 6th – Bowhunter Recurve
Matt Henshaw – 7th – Bowhunter Recurve
Paul Frowd – 1st – Bowhunter Unlimited (B)
Ryan Tilbrook – STATE CHAMPION -1st – Bowhunter Unlimited (A)
Will Tilbrook – 2nd – Bowhunter Unlimited (A)
Kylie Frowd – 2nd – Bowhunter Unlimited Ladies (C)
Ella Tilbrook – STATE CHAMPION -1st – Bowhunter Unlimited Ladies (B)
Wendy Slack-Smith – STATE CHAMPION – 1st – Freestyle Unlimited Ladies
Amanda Tilbrook – STATE CHAMPION -1st – Traditional Recurve
SWSSFA would like the Thank the businesses that donated to the raffle (a full list is available on the face book page) and major sponsors Whisk and Dish, the Oriental Hotel and Domino’s Pizza.