By Tanya Steele
Yering District Archers celebrated this month as one of their younger members was selected to represent Australia at the World Youth Archery Championships in Ireland.
Sophie Southall, 17, was selected by Archery Australia as part of a team of three junior females to compete in the compound division and team events.
Sophie was also the National Under 18 female Australian champion in Brisbane last year.
Yering District Archer member and coaching coordinator Mr Mackieson said it was an exciting time and the club was very proud of Sophie.
“I’m really excited, it’s also nice because I talked them into joining the club originally,” he said.
Mr Mackieson said he asked Mark Southall (Sophie’s father) along to archery a number of years ago when Sophie was 12.
Mr Southall in turn asked if he could bring along his daughter.
“I didn’t want to go by myself and so I asked them along, and here we are some years later and Sophie is representing Australia at a world event,” he said.
On Saturday morning 13 May Federal member Aaron Violi presented flags to the Yering District club on behalf of the Australian Government and also gave one to Sophie to take with her to Ireland for the competition.
The talent lies in the family. Mark Southall is also the 50-plus male longbow divisions State 1st and National 3rd winner in Victoria.
Mr Mackieson said the duo was often very busy training and are dedicated to the sport.
“She’s got to balance archery and school,” he said.
Yering District Archers have also been selected by Archery Australia to run the Australian Indoor Championships on the 8 and 9 July, which is great news for the club.
