THEY may not steal from the rich to give to the poor, but this brother and sister duo could certainly give Robin Hood a run for his money.
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Nowra siblings Jarrod and Amy Wilson have sharp shooted their way to a swag of medals from the 2014 National Youth Archery Championships held in Adelaide.
The two competed over six days from April 14 to 19, with Jarrod picking up gold for clout and bronze for target shooting, and Amy a bronze for target in her first national tournament.
Fourteen-year-old Jarrod had a busy championships competing in the target, matchplay, clout and field events.
“Last year my sight broke halfway through and I ended up finishing eighth overall. I really just wanted to throw it [his bow] away,” Jarrod laughed.
“So this year my goal was to place in target.”
The Bomaderry High School student went into the intermediate freestyle compound target event with a personal best of 1373.
Up against 13 of Australia’s best archers, he managed to shoot 1385 on his way to the bronze, with just 15 points between first and third place.
“I was chasing the same kid all day, but the last few distances I lost by just a couple of points,” Jarrod explained.
“To make the trans Tasman team you have to place in the top two, so I am a little disappointed I couldn’t make that, but happy that I placed this year.”
It was a successful championships for Jarrod, who also claimed gold for clout, sixth for matchplay and fourth for field.
Sister Amy, 17, took up archery two years ago but competed in her first national event competing in the cadet female division.
“I was sick of watching and wanted to give it a go and when I did I really enjoyed it,” she said.
“I was a bit nervous [for nationals]. I only knew one of the girls I was shooting against so had no idea how the other girls would perform.”
Despite having Australian champions in her division, Amy did not disappoint, claiming the bronze medal in the competitive target category.
“I did my best. I wanted to try to place and crack 1000 and I did that so I was happy,” she said.
However it was Amy’s second event that proved the most challenging.
Amy shot her first arrows for matchplay at 9am in the morning, but due to a delay in scoring had to wait six hours before firing another arrow.
With the event eventually wrapping up at 7.45 at night, Amy did well to maintain her concentration to place sixth.
As Amy is undertaking her HSC studies, she will look to compete again at the NSW state indoor championships in July, which she won in 2013.
Jarrad also looks towards these championships, but has his sights set firmly on the NSW State Target Championships, which he finished second in 2013.
“This year I am going for first place,” he said.