Last week was National Volunteer Week, and Archery Australia took the opportunity to shine a light on the volunteers who are the heart of our sport. From the earliest come and try sessions through to national championships, volunteers are woven into every part of the archery experience. Coaches, officials, judges, club committee members, handy helpers, RGB roles and event helpers. Archery Australia are so grateful for the time and contribution that you give to the sport.
Acknowledging that contribution matters deeply to Archery Australia Chair Rob Fiddyment:
“Our volunteers are central to the strength and sustainability of the sport of Archery; their contribution reflects the very best of our community. This National Volunteer Week, we honour the people whose dedication keeps Archery Australia on target for the future!”
— Rob Fiddyment, Chair, Archery Australia
Lets get to know some of the roles people are volunteering for and what that means to them to give back to the sport.
Officials
Officials wear many hats in archery across all these volunteer roles. Committing to being an official means staying up to date with best practice and dedicating their time to how the sport is run at clubs, committees and tournaments. Taking on roles in committees, as tournament directors, Directors of Shooting and judges. They share their knowledge with others to help the community grow and learn.
Thank you for the steady, thoughtful way you support the archery community. Your commitment to safety, fairness and the smooth running of events.
Coaches
Volunteer coaches are part of everyone’s archery journey. From guiding a first-timer through their initial come and try session, to helping experienced athletes refine their technique and even coaching other coaches, they carry the sport forward one archer at a time.
All-round archery expert and coach Elizabeth Jennings on why she keeps showing up:
“I love teaching new skills to those who have no idea about archery… being able to guide them to understand how to put the sport all together and achieve outcomes, wanting to sign up for further courses and/or ultimately become a member.”
— Elizabeth Jennings, coach
Fellow coach Pete Whitfield describes it as paying it forward:
“When I was starting out I was lucky enough to have help from experienced coaches who were generous with their time and knowledge. I now enjoy sharing my own knowledge and experience, introducing new archers to the sport and helping club members to expand their knowledge and ability.”
— Pete Whitfield, coach
To all coaches, trainer assessors and coaching coordinators, thank you for your commitment to ongoing training, your patience, encouragement and the expertise you give so generously to the archery community.
Club committees
This group really keep the lights on in clubs across Australia. Through planning, leadership and behind-the-scenes work, club presidents, treasurers, secretaries, coaching administrators, committee members and the all rounders who are handy on the tools and anyone who help keep clubs moving forward.
2025 Volunteer of the Year Kerry Cheras knows these roles well, having contributed across multiple positions at her club, her RGB SQAS and for Archery Australia at events. For Kerry, volunteering has opened something bigger:
“For me volunteering is a way to give back to my sport, to make a difference and develop new skills. I get to travel and meet up with archers from all walks of life right across Australia at various events.”
— Kerry Cheras, 2025 Volunteer of the Year
Judges
Judging is one of the most considered ways to give back to archery. It demands thorough knowledge of the rules, measured decision-making and the ability to remain composed when stakes are high. Judges underpin the fairness and integrity of every competition they step into.
National Judge Shirley Biggs is a two-time national record holder in her age group. For her, it was a natural next step:
“I wanted to give something back to the sport and decided to become a National Judge. I have been president of my club and have run many State and National events.”
— Shirley Biggs, National Judge
Thank you to all our judges for the professionalism and care you bring to the field. Your work helps ensure our sport is fair, safe and respected at every level.
Event volunteers
Event volunteering is a way to be part of something bigger than yourself. Scoring, setup and pack down, handing out lunches, capturing photos and videos, moving targets, establishing field courses, line marking: every one of these tasks is handled by someone who chose to show up and make it happen.
Event volunteers have the archery community at the centre of why they get involved.
“I wanted to contribute to provide an experience that was visually effective, professionally managed and memorable to the archery community.”
- Mark Burns, NTC volunteer
At the Australian Open Field Championship, local volunteers Phillip Edwards and Sam Pearse went well beyond the basics. As locals with close access to the venue, they chiselled away at the hillside, designed the field course, cut trails and built steps through the steeper sections. Their work shaped the experience every competitor had on the course. Thank you to everyone who rolls up their sleeves and helps create successful events.
AA Board and RGB Presidents
Taking responsibility for the governance and direction of the sport are the volunteers who give their time to the AA Board, FAR and the RGB Presidents. These groups give a voice for the community for archery and contributes a significant amount of time contributing to how the sport is run and its direction for the future, both in their states at each RGB and for all of Australia.
Archery SA President Bruce Lang on what keeps him motivated:
“I have been keen to help the sport flourish, with clubs becoming more proactive, looking beyond their club environment to ensure that people appreciate the world of archery is a large place in which it can take them in many directions.”
— Bruce Lang, President, Archery SA
We are grateful for all the roles volunteers play in our sport and what you bring to the archery community to make it such a special place.
Give three cheers for a volunteer
Know someone who deserves a shout out? Head to the Volunteers Map and give three cheers for a volunteer in your archery community. Share a story about what volunteering in our sport means to you.
To every volunteer across our community: the sport you help sustain belongs to all of us, but it runs on you. Thank you.
