A modern-day Artemis
Archery. A time-honoured sport.
As the sun rises the typical Hamilton mist dissipates. A glade is revealed with a row of steadfast targets. And as ten o’clock ticks around, the field starts to fill with archers and their timeless, trusty bows and arrows. On the far side of the field at the 70m line stands one archer in particular, this archer has an intriguing story.
In the face of two broken ankles in the span of 9 months, most people would say ‘I’ll try something less active’, but not Emma Smith. Having always been an active person, Emma went looking for a new sport to fill her free time. And at the end of 2021, she would discover River Glade archers.
Emma’s bow of choice is a bright cobalt blue and black Olympic recurve with elegant stabilisers and a sight. With a scientifically inclined mind, Emma likes to take advantage of the developed technology of modern-day archery. In the end, she says, “It comes down to what feels right”.
– photo Lydia Coster-harris
When it comes to her goals Emma is remarkably systematic and realistic. As she is still “on the up” in the world of archery she sets her goal with this in mind. Last year Emma competed in the National Indoors and although she did not walk away with a podium she did walk away with 5th.
“And while that is not a conventional success in terms of podiums and medals [..] it was the first moment I was like oh I am actually achieving something.”
-Emma Smith
Like any sport, there is an element of muscle memory that becomes inherent over time. As Emma has taken up coaching at River Glade she has had to break down some of the methods she has learnt. To shoot, she has her own personal rituals.
Visible on her stunning leather quiver is a lucky arrow. Alongside this, she has a specific pre-shoot ritual. From squaring her feet and shoulders at the line to drawing back her arrows, the single word Emma keeps in mind is Smooth. Throughout the process of knocking the arrow and drawing back the string, this is the simple word Emma keeps in mind. She finds it takes the sometimes clunky feel out of the repetitive knock, draw and lose that is typical.
Emma is now a coach and membership secretary of River Glade Archers, with the goal of shooting in the nationals again in April, walking away with a podium and one day representing New Zealand overseas.
The future for Emma is bright as she continues to show dedication and determination in the field of archery.
