Gisborne archers to take on world

STILL GOT IT: Wellington-based Gisborne Archery Club member Stephanie Croskery was the standout performer at the indoor field archery tournament in Gisborne over the weekend. The 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games archery representative scored 899 out of 900 for the three shoots to be top scorer overall. Clubmate Chloe Underdown was second overall with 896. Picture by Liam Clayton

ARCHERY

A GROUP of Gisborne Archery Club (GAC) members are to take on the world in Wellington next year . . . at the IFAA World Indoor Archery Championships.

Adding to its long and illustrious history, GAC held its first-ever New Zealand Field Archery Association indoor tournament at its Disraeli Street base over the weekend.

It was a new and interesting experience for the local members, who were joined by archers from all over the country in what was a qualifying event for the 2019 world champs in New Zealand’s capital from April 9 to 12.

Part of the criteria to qualify for the worlds is that archers have to compete in two indoor rounds of this particular type of shoot.

The Gisborne club, in conjunction with the NZFAA, held three rounds and all of its members competed well.

Among a good representation from Gisborne were Stephanie Croskery, who represented New Zealand in archery at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and younger brother Dean, both of whom are now living in Wellington.

Archers were required to shoot five arrows from 20 yards over 12 ends at high and low targets, five being the maximum score for an arrow.

Stephanie finished top scorer over all divisions with a near-perfect 899 out of 900 for the three shoots.

She was closely followed by local talent Chloe Underdown on 896.

The pair were first and second in the women’s compound division.

Dean Croskery (870) was second in a strong men’s division while Will Halliday (594) was fourth, despite competing in only two of the three rounds.

Chris Underdown (890) — Chloe’s father — continued the family success by winning the veteran men’s division from Colin Marshall (886), Dean Williams (880) and David Croskery (867) — the Croskery siblings’ father.

All Gisborne archers who competed have qualified for the world champs and the club was grateful to the NZFAA for allowing it to hold the tournament.