Kathryn Jankovic
Member of the Australian Junior Archery Team
Member of Erin Archery Club

"I began archery almost five years ago after my father had taken it up as a sport. After completing the Erina Archery Club beginner's course in 2000, I officially became a member and started competing in July of that year.
I attended my first National Competition in Sydney 2001 (The Australian Junior National Championships), obtaining Silver in the Under 14 Junior Girl Compound Division for Target, Field and Clout. This ranked me second for Junior Girl Compounders in Australia. In 2001 I also won the State Championships for the Under 14 Girl Compound in the disciplines of Target, Field and Indoor.

In 2002 I returned to the Junior National Championships, this time held in Adelaide. After winning Gold in Target and Field and Bronze in Clout I obtained National Champion Status for Junior Girl Compound. I have been a member of the New South Wales Junior Archery Team since 2001 progressing to an Australian Trans-Tasman Team Member in 2002 (Australia versus New Zealand)

In 2002 I placed 2nd in the Trans-Tasman Contests for the Under 16 Girl Compound. In 2004 I re-qualified for the Australian Trans-Tasman Team competing in Auckland, New Zealand. This year Australia once again beat New Zealand and I won the Women's Compound Match Play and the Under 18 Girl Compound Division

Last year (2003), I qualified for the Australian Archery Team to compete in the Outdoor Junior World Target Championships, to be held at Lilleshall from July 19th to the 25th. This is my first attempt at competition at this level and I am looking forward to the challenge.

As mentioned earlier, I am a member of Erina Archery Club, located about one and a half hours drive north of Sydney. I was Club Champion in 2001 and 2002. We shoot every Saturday and have only 60 members but would love to participate in a postal shoot with your club. Once again thanking you for your help in the lead up to the World Championships."

Nicole Pless
Member of the Australian Junior Archery Team
Currently a member of the Diamond Valley Archers (DVA)

"When my sister saw Simon Fairweather win the 2000 Olympics, she was hooked. From the continuous nagging that all eight year olds perfect, our dad started my sister and I on a beginner's course at the local archery club (DVA). This involved me in club shoots and several months later, in 2002, I was still shooting with little improvement in my personal scores, when I managed to shoot an 1148 Horsham round.

From then on, my club started to notice my progress and about a year after I started to participate in the State Short Championship where I achieved Gold in the under 16 Girls. After this, every competition I entered, I took Gold.

Competing in the Junior Australian Nationals in January 2004, I received Gold in both Target and Field and Bronze for Clout. Three months later I took part in the Trans-Tasman (which is Australia versus New Zealand) in Auckland. I came away with first place in the Under 16 Girls Division.

Now I am currently an Aussie team member, achieving first and second place at the British Nationals, and I am training at Spen Victoria for the World Junior Championships.

This is my first attempt at a competition of this magnitude and I am very excited."