Ten months ago, Susan Thomas (right) joined the Rowes Bay Archery Club in Townsville hoping to improve her fitness.
Now she’s the first Aboriginal woman to represent Australia in archery at an international competition.
In August, Susan flew to Germany as part of the Australian team competing in the five-day World Field Archery Championships.
Susan likened her event, the Ladies Bare Bow Recurve, to a cross-country trek, shooting arrows along the way at circular or animal-shaped paper targets from distances of between six and 73 metres.
“Never in my wildest dreams did I think this would happen,” Susan, 47, told Namalata Thusi as she packed her bags for the flight of a lifetime.
“I was at the crossroads in my life and wanted to feel better — lose a bit of weight, strengthen and tone — and had friends who were archers”.
“It’s definitely improved my upper body strength — my nephews tease me about my deadly upper arm and chest muscles — and the breathing techniques have helped my asthma too.
“Age is absolutely no barrier to staying active and getting into shape: I’m proof of that!”
Sports clubs pitch for $$$
Up to $50,000 is available for projects that get communities moving!
The Sport and Recreation Active Inclusion Program funds community activities and education so that more individuals and groups get active.
Sports clubs can also seek funding — up to $5000 — to help with skills training, volunteer development and participation.
Applications close 15 October.
More information
www.sportrec.qld.gov.au/Funding/Newfundingprograms/ActiveInclusionProgram.aspx
Cunnamulla kids scramble for deadly sports
More than 100 kids jumped at the chance to meet some of Queensland’s top sporting identities recently, when the Department of Communities’ Deadly Sports program came to Cunnamulla.
Former Brisbane Bullets coach Brian Kerle ran a day-long coaching clinic with ex-Brisbane Bronco Mick De Vere and former Brisbane Lion Darryl White.
Rugby league and softball were the sports of choice at Cunnamulla.
Deadly Sports goes to primary schools around the state, encouraging sport and physical activity to become a part of everyday life.
More information
P 07 3235 4196
E deadlysports@communities.qld.gov.au
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