Australian para-archer Kevin Faulkner has made the decision to retire as an elite athlete. After picking up archery over 10 years ago Kevin has flourished in the sport achieving national and international success including a silver medal at the European Cup alongside fellow teammates Jonathon Milne and Peter Marchant.
Leading to Retirement
After a recent illness, Kevin has made the difficult decision to retire from competitive archery and focus more time on family.
“It was a difficult decision as I have been involved in para sport for 30 years first as a wheelchair basketball player then an archer,” explained Kevin.
“I started in archery after I stopped playing basketball and moved to Tasmania. At that time, I was looking for a new challenge and archery provided that it. I think the biggest change in my life after I started in archery was my mental toughness it teaches you if you shoot a bad shot there is always the next arrow. My motto in life is that you can’t change yesterday but you can change tomorrow.”
Head Para Coach, Ricci Cheah couldn’t speak highly enough of Kevin, “He’s been an instrumental member of the Australian Para Archery team. He is the quiet achiever, the kind of guy that loves the grind, gets back up more times than he falls down.”
What’s Next For Kevin
Kevin is looking forward to enjoying a friendly shoot at his home club and, as he puts it, “trying to master the long bow” but he will never give up compound.
“I’m keen to do some coaching, maybe an event judge and continue to help my club Hobart Archers grow and develop,” said Kevin.
“My advice to new archers is simply give it a go but remember you will be happy, frustrated and possibly sad but there is always the next arrow. There is nothing like shooting arrows on a cool crisp winter morning with no wind.”
“I would also like to say thanks to Archery Australia for the support over the past 10 years but a special thanks to Ricci and Graham for their coaching. It’s not only been fun competing but making friends with my fellow archers.”
Archery Australia wishes Kevin the very best in all his future endeavours.
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