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For the first time, a group of compound archers will represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games.
 
Archery has only featured in the Commonwealth Games once before at Brisbane in 1982 where New Zealands Neroli Fairhall won a gold medal in the recurve discipline. Delhi 2010 will be the first Commonwealth Games has included compound archery.

Aucklands Shaun Teasdale will lead the team of three men and three women who will compete as individuals and as teams. Ranked world number 14 at just 21 years of age, Teasdale will be joined in the mens team by World Championship bronze medallist, Stephen Clifton (23), also from Auckland, and Invercargills Tony Waddick. Making up the womens team is 19-year-old Stephanie Croskery from Gisborne, Mandy McGregor (New Plymouth) and Anne Mitchell (Balclutha).

For Teasdale, selection into the Commonwealth Games team is significant. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, he said. Its the first time that compound archery has been in the Games. The scale will be huge and it will be something not many people get to experience. It will still be tough competition as some of the worlds best archers are from Commonwealth countries.

Archery National Secretary Carole Hicks says New Zealand is sending its strongest group of archers ever. Our athletes are all amateur athletes and fund their own equipment and international competitions. As such, were delighted at the depth of talent within the sport, she said. Were certainly hopeful well have at least one team and one individual in the finals.


The archers will build-up to the Commonwealth Games with ongoing international competition. We need to keep the pressure on, explained Teasdale. Weve got two World Cup events in the next eight weeks and well be using them to make sure were at the top of our game in Delhi.
 
The team will head to Utah in July and then Shanghai in August before departing for Delhi in September. Croskey is currently at the Junior Trans-Tasman Cup in Australia.

Compound archery differs from the recurve discipline seen at the Olympic Games in the sets of pulleys, or cams, that reduce the load on the string when fully extended. The archer does not need to contend with holding 45-50lb when making the fine adjustments needed for a precise aim.

New Zealands Archery Team to Brisbane in 1982 was made up of eight athletes. New Zealand has just one Commonwealth Games medal in the sport. Archery is not currently on the Commonwealth Games programme for Glasgow 2014.

The Archery Team to Delhi is:
Womens Team and Individual:
Stephanie Croskery - Gisborne
Mandy McGregor - New Plymouth
Anne Mitchell - Balclutha

Mens Team and Individual
Stephen (Steve) Clifton - Glen Eden
Shaun Teasdale - Massey East, Auckland
Tony Waddick - Invercargill


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