THE sun was shining but Twin City Archery Gippsland was content to stay inside the ‘Grinstead Shed’ when it hosted the state and national indoor championships at Toners Lane, Morwell at the weekend.
One of two Victorian venues for the titles, which is held simultaneously at different locations across the country, Twin City hosted some 170 of about 900 archers competing nationwide.
Adam Rhimes was the star for the host club with a state and national crown in the open male crossbow competition, while a chorus of clubmates chimed in with podium finishes.
Viv Bennett and venue namesake Merv Grinstead were also in fine form and claimed state gold medals in the masters female compound and veterans and male compound respectively.
Club president Peter Bennett said club results were outstanding, in particular the efforts of some TCAG newcomers who stepped up on the big stage.
“A lot of new club members are coming through and having a go, and a lot of the older ones just keep standing up so it’s great,” Bennett said.
The contingent of competitors at Twin City dwarfed the showing at Victoria’s other host location Diamond Valley by about 100, which Bennett said was a glowing endorsement of the Gippsland facility’s popularity.
“It’s hard work (hosting) but it’s very satisfying. The archers are saying they come back this way – a lot of them could have gone to Diamond Valley and live closer – but they reckon our venue has the atmosphere they like, the setup is right and we run it really well,” Bennett said.
The club will stage another high profile event this weekend with a leg of the Victorian division of the national 3D championships on Friday and Saturday.
