Stepping outside the comfort Zone: Will Takes On the Open Field Championships

A couple of weeks ago, one of our Development Squad archers, Will, travelled to Adelaide to compete at the Open Field Championships — a demanding three-day event that tested both skill and adaptability.

Across the tournament, Will competed in unmarked field, marked field, and both team and individual marked field matchplay. For an archer taking on unmarked field for the first time, it was a big challenge and a valuable opportunity to grow.

Preparing for a field event requires a different kind of training. From building accurate sight marks for every 5m increment between 10 and 60 metres, to practising on uneven footing while judging angles and distances, field archery demands a high level of adaptability and focus.

Will rose to that challenge well, shooting a 252 in unmarked field and finishing 9th overall in his first time competing in the discipline. It was a solid performance and a strong effort in what were far from easy conditions, with the course presenting hilly, uneven terrain throughout the event.

One of Will’s biggest strengths across the tournament was his ability to reset between arrows and ends, adapting to constantly changing distances, angles, and footing. His performance showed great resilience and reinforced an important lesson of field archery: staying present, adjusting quickly, and focusing on the shot in front of you.

Most importantly, this event pushed Will outside of his comfort zone — and that was where some of the biggest growth happened. One of his key takeaways was the value of being placed back in a beginner’s position, where uncertainty becomes an opportunity to learn. It was a reminder that becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable is an important part of improving in sport.

Will’s experience at the Open Field Championships highlights something important for archers at every level: growth doesn’t stop once you become experienced. In many ways, the sport keeps rewarding those who are willing to challenge themselves, stay curious, and keep learning.

Well done, Will! We’re looking forward to following his next big challenge at Senior Nationals.