Warringah Juniors Deliver Outstanding Campaign at 2026 National Youth Championships
Warringah Archers is proud to celebrate the achievements of our junior athletes following an exceptional campaign at the 2026 National Youth Archery Championships in Launceston, Tasmania.
Across five days of competition, the championships brought together the best young archers from every state and territory to compete in Field, Target, and Matchplay formats. It is one of the most demanding events on the national calendar, requiring not only technical execution but endurance, adaptability, and composure over multiple disciplines.
This year, those demands were amplified by difficult and often unpredictable weather. Cold, wet, windy conditions, and changing light placed additional pressure on every young athlete on the line. In spite of this, Warringah’s junior contingent delivered one of the club’s strongest collective performances at a national event.
Representing both Warringah and New South Wales were Anna Young, Eve Whitear, Maja Kecskes, Lily Young, Julia Verzosa and Audrey Verzosa, a group that would go on to produce multiple medals, national titles, and significant team contributions .
Day 1–2: Field Championships
The campaign opened with the Field Championships, a format that tests an archer’s ability to judge distance, adapt to terrain, and execute under constantly changing shooting conditions.
Warringah athletes immediately made their presence felt.
Eve Whitear delivered a commanding performance in the Under 18 Female Compound division, shooting 383 from the Blue Pegs to secure Gold and the title of National Field Champion. It was a composed and controlled performance across all 24 targets, setting a high benchmark for the competition.
In the Under 21 Female Recurve division, Maja Kecskes produced a strong and consistent round to claim Silver, finishing with a score of 296 from the Red Pegs. Her ability to manage the varied distances and maintain scoring across the course was a standout.
The Under 14 Female Compound division saw two Warringah athletes in contention. Lily Young secured Bronze with 344, while Audrey Verzosa finished just outside the podium in 4th place, both demonstrating strong control in a challenging field environment.
Anna Young, competing in the Under 18 Female Recurve division, placed 12th, gaining valuable national-level experience in a demanding format .
By the conclusion of the Field event, Warringah had already secured a national title and multiple podium finishes—an early indication of the strength of the group.
Day 3–4: Target Championships
Attention then shifted to the Target Championships, where precision, repeatability, and shot execution over longer distances become the defining factors.
Warringah’s momentum carried straight into the Target phase.
Eve Whitear once again led from the front, delivering another outstanding performance to claim Gold and the title of National Target Champion in the Under 18 Female Compound division. Her score of 851 in the WA60/900 round secured her second national title of the week, completing a remarkable double across Field and Target disciplines.
In the Under 14 Female Compound division, Lily Young continued her strong form, shooting 859 in the Junior Canberra round to secure Silver. Her consistency across the round, particularly under variable conditions, was a defining feature of her performance.
Maja Kecskes added to her Field silver with another Silver Medal in the Under 21 Female Recurve division, scoring 782 in the WA60/900 round. Back-to-back podium finishes across two disciplines underline the depth of her performance across the week.
Julia Verzosa delivered one of her strongest performances at a national level, placing 5th in the Under 21 Female Recurve division with a score of 657, remaining competitive throughout the round.
In the Under 14 Female Compound division, Audrey Verzosa placed 6th with 792, maintaining a solid performance across both Field and Target formats.
Anna Young rounded out the Target event with a 16th place finish, continuing to build experience against a strong national field .
Team Events: New South Wales Success
Beyond individual performances, Warringah athletes played an important role in New South Wales’ overall team results.
Team scores were determined by combining the top four individual results across each discipline , placing a premium on depth and consistency across the squad.
- The NSW Recurve Team delivered an outstanding performance to finish 1st overall, earning the title of National Teams Champions for 2026.
- The NSW Compound Team secured a strong 5th place finish in a highly competitive field.
Warringah’s contribution to the Recurve team’s national title is a significant achievement and reflects the strength of its junior representation at a state level.
Final Days: Matchplay Series
The championships concluded with the Matchplay series, where athletes compete head-to-head in elimination rounds.
Several Warringah archers progressed into matchplay, gaining valuable experience in this high-pressure format and securing additional medals along the way. These performances provide a strong platform for potential selection into Open teams later in the year .
A Week to Remember
Across five days of competition, Warringah’s juniors delivered:
- 2 National Titles (Field and Target – Eve Whitear)
- Multiple Silver and Bronze Medals across both disciplines
- Strong top-10 finishes across divisions
- Contribution to a National Team Championship (NSW Recurve)
More than the results alone, the week highlighted the capability, resilience, and competitive maturity of this group. Shooting across multiple formats, in difficult conditions, and against the best in the country, each athlete contributed to a campaign that reflects extremely well on the club.
For a club of Warringah’s size, producing this level of performance on a national stage is significant.
Warringah Archers congratulates all six athletes on their achievements and acknowledges the support of families, coaches, and the broader club community. The performances in Launceston represent not just a successful championship, but a clear step forward in the development of our junior programme.