About Us
Service Awards
Volunteer of the Year Award
Archery in Australia thrives on the dedication, passion and tireless efforts of our volunteer community. The Board of Archery Australia created this National Volunteer of the Year Award to recognise an outstanding contribution to the sport over the past 12 months. Following the successful inaugural award, presented to Kerry Cheras at the 2025 AGM, we are pleased to officially open nominations for 2026.
The award recognises an individual whose exceptional commitment, leadership and service have made a profound, positive impact on our sport at club, state or national level. The winner receives a trophy and prize package, with two runners-up also recognised as Volunteer Special Mentions. It is a great opportunity to celebrate our volunteers from around the country.
Key dates for 2026
Nominations open: 29 July 2026
RGB submissions close: 7 September 2026
Selection panel review: 9 to 14 September 2026
Winner announced: at the Archery Australia AGM, 10 November 2026
2025 winner Kerry Cheras from SQAS
Award criteria
Nominees should embody the spirit of service within the archery community. Nominations are assessed against three areas, and these are what the nomination form asks you to speak to:
- Impact & Reach: significant contributions to the growth, operational excellence or culture of an archery club, RGB or national program.
- Innovation & Initiative: leadership in delivering projects, events, coaching, officiating or administrative improvements that benefit members.
- Values & Sportsmanship: a consistent commitment to inclusivity, positive sport culture, integrity, and supporting fellow archers and volunteers.
How to nominate
Nominations must be submitted through, or endorsed by, a Recognised Governing Body (RGB). Clubs are encouraged to share their recommendations and details to address the above criteria to their RGB secretary to submit on their behalf.
- Complete the online nomination form, detailing the nominee’s contribution over the past 12 months.
- Include in this any supporting evidence, such as letters of support or brief testimonials from club members or committees.
- Complete the form before submissions close on 7 September 2026.
Nominees must be current members of Archery Australia. Each RGB can put forward up to 3 nominations.
The award
The recipient receives a trophy, 12 months free membership, acknowledgement on the Archery Australia website, a $500 gift voucher, and an invitation to make a presentation at the following Archery Australia Board Meeting.
Two Volunteer Special Mention awards are also presented, receiving and a $250 gift voucher.
Play Well - Win Well award
Each newsletter, Archery Australia will be publicly recognising someone who embodies the values of the sports systems collective strategies across participation and high performance, the Play Well and Win Well strategies. These strategies are essential in creating a sporting system where everyone has a place, and a system where how we win is just as important as when we win.
At Archery Australia, we want to recognise and encourage the fantastic work being done in our community to ensure that we Play Well and that we Win Well as a sport. We thank the current Athletes Committee for suggesting this award and ensuring that we honour this commitment as a sport.
You can nominate someone anytime for recognition of the work they are doing, simply email info@archery.org.au with:
WHO you are nominating
WHY you are nominating them
HOW they are embodying the Play Well or Win Well concepts through either:
- Play Well – Creating safe, welcoming, inclusive, and fun sporting experiences
- Win Well – Inspiring Australians by winning well and/or building an inclusive and sustainable sporting system.
