By JARROD POTTER
WITH three prior generations of supreme archery talent flowing through her veins and into the bowstring – it’s no surprise Alexandra Wright has followed in her family’s footsteps to become an archery champion.
Berwick archer Alexandra Wright has become the fourth generation of Australian archery champions in her family tree – emulating the success of her great-grandfather Leslie Craddock, grandfather Hans Wright OAM and father Darren Wright.
With over 40 national titles lining the mantelpiece of the Wright family house – Alexandra was thrilled to earn her first at only eight years old while facing much older opponents.
In her first tournament, held in Morwell, Alexandra shot in the barebow discipline – archery without a sight – and claimed victory in the Joey 10 and under category at the state level before advancing to the older age group at nationals, Cub 13 and under and came away with victory in the 18-metre indoor barebow event. Shooting with the Phoenix Archery Club, Alexandra has been pulling back a bowstring as long as she can remember, but started to improve through the last year.
“I probably started when I was about four, but I think I probably started improving last year to this year,” Alexandra said.
“I like that you can compete and it’s also very fun to do and you can challenge yourself.
“It was relaxing to know that the first tournament I shot in, I won against people that are much older than me.”
Alexandra’s father Darren, a multiple national archery champion and her coach, said the level of calmness she possessed already was hard to attain for archers of any age.
“The way she carried herself through the event and was a role model for everyone else in the team was outstanding,” Darren said.
“Her composure was incredible – we had other parents saying she was so calm and stable – I know how hard it is as a youngster to be emotionally composed that young and to me that is the biggest investment you get out of the sport – emotional mastery.”
“To learn that at such a young age it sets these youngsters for life.”
Alexandra is proud to book her place in her family’s prestigious archery history and loves to be on the line with her dad and granddad shooting arrows and having fun.
“It’s good to continue something that’s been going on for a while,” Alexandra said.
“It’s good because they’re part of my family and close to me and help me out a lot with my archery.”
She is now training for her next tournament in September and the next junior nationals in 2014.
