Indoor season might be coming to an end, but there’s no slowing down for provincial team members Khushreet and Laganjot Sandhu. This past weekend, they took their talents south of the border to Las Vegas to compete in the NFAA Vegas Shoot.

In the Youth Female category, Khushreet Sandhu opened with a 295 (14X) on Friday, followed by an impressive 298 (16X) on Saturday. She finished with a total score of 593 out of a possible 600, securing 3rd place on the podium, in a field of 27 shooters.

In the Youth Male category, Laganjot Sandhu started with a 280 (6X) on Friday. He came back much stronger on Saturday, shooting a 287 (9X) to finish with a total of 567/600, placing 22nd out of 46 competitors.

When asked about her experience, Khushreet said:

“I am proud of myself for getting as far as I did, even though I know it wasn’t as far as I wanted. My goal throughout the event was to shoot with confidence and take in the experience of shooting beside the top of the top.”

Laganjot shared:

“The tournament went well for my first time at the Vegas Shoot. I was a bit nervous at first, but I stayed confident and learned from the first day. Focusing on one shot at a time helped me improve and finish stronger the next day.”

Having spent the last four months working with the provincial team, I’ve seen firsthand the level of dedication the Sandhus put into their training. Their success is well deserved. If they’re not at the range, they’re practicing at home, constantly working to improve their consistency.

Watching both athletes come back stronger on day two reinforces what we emphasize in our program: it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. They continue to set a great example of the program. I look forward to seeing even more success from these two this summer.

Provincial Team Coach
Sean Murray

Aim for the 2027 Canada Winter Games! Archery Manitoba Opens Mid-Season Opportunity for Youth Archers

Following the incredible success of the 2026 Manitoba Winter Games and to meet the growing demand from aspiring young archers, Archery Manitoba is thrilled to announce a unique mid-season opportunity! We’re introducing a new squad title – the “Canada Winter Games Prospects Squad” – designed for youth (2027 Canada Winter Games Age Eligible – ages 20 & under), Manitoba archers eager to elevate their competition development with their sights set on the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

This initiative is an amendment to our 2026 Provincial Target Team Selection Process, developed in close consultation with our provincial program coaches and regional leaders. It reflects our collective desire to enhance athlete development pathways and broaden participation within Archery Manitoba’s competitive programs.

Why This Opportunity Matters

The existing Provincial Target Team document outlines our commitment to excellence, athlete development, and the promotion of our sport. Opening this mid-season registration for the CWG Prospects Squad allows us to:

• Identify and Engage Emerging Talent: Provide a pathway for archers who demonstrated strong potential at recent competitions, such as the Manitoba Winter Games.
• Immediate Development: Offer a structured development opportunity for archers who have achieved a foundational performance standard but may have missed the initial selection window.
• Expand Our Reach: Foster growth in archery across Manitoba, aligning with the intent of both the Provincial Team Program and the Canada Winter Games Program.

Who Can Join? (Eligibility Criteria)

We are opening mid-season registration specifically for the CWG Prospects Squad. To be eligible, you must be an Archery Manitoba provincial member and meet one of the following criteria:

1. Participation in the Manitoba Winter Games: You have participated in the recent Manitoba Winter Games.
2. Achieved Qualifying Score: You have met or exceeded the minimum scores for your category:

   Canada Winter Games Prospects Squad (U21)

   Category	Indoor Distance	Minimum Score (40CM)
   Compound Male	18M	403
   Compound Female	18M	436
   Barebow Male	18M	111
   Barebow Female	18M	130
   Recurve Male	18M	264
   Recurve Female	18M	267

How to Join: Registration & Program Start Dates

• Registration Period: April 1 – April 20, 2026
• Program Fee: $250
• New Program Members Start Date: May 1, 2026
• Register Online Here

What You Get: Program Structure & Support

New members joining the CWG Prospects Squad will receive comprehensive support designed to foster their growth and prepare them for competition:

• Training Environment:
  • Access to a weekly training environment.
  • Coach-Led Training: Includes 2 hours of coach-led team training sessions per week.
  • Strength Training: Access to specific strength training programming.
• Experienced Coaching Staff:
  • Brandon: Travis VanDaele
  • Winnipeg: Sean Murray, Dale Bakker, Anna Parkhomenko, & Cleo Wermann-Thorn
• Team Uniform: All new archers joining the program will receive one shooting shirt. Additional shirts will be available for purchase.
• Regional & Group Training: Weekly training will primarily occur in local training environments. To foster team cohesion and provide broader coaching exposure, the entire squad will gather for combined training sessions in either Brandon or the Winnipeg Region, based on coach availability.

Your Path to Success: Performance Objectives

Participants in the Canada Winter Games Prospects Squad will focus on key performance objectives for the upcoming season:

• Manitoba Provincial Target Championships: Preparation for and competition at this event, scheduled for July 25-26 in Sanford, MB.
• Canada Winter Games Prep Camp: Engagement in a dedicated prep camp from August 28-30 (Location TBD).
• Canada Winter Games Qualification: Participation in the qualification process from September to November 22, with an expectation to compete in the finals on November 21 & 22 in Portage La Prairie.

Important Note on Financial Considerations

Please be aware that archers who participate in this mid-season registration to the Team will not be eligible for travel funding for competitions outside of Manitoba. This aligns with the existing provincial team document’s funding criteria. This policy provides a clear expectation for these mid-season additions.

Don’t miss this incredible chance to advance your archery journey and set your sights on the 2027 Canada Winter Games! If you meet the eligibility requirements, register between April 1 and April 20, 2026, and join the Canada Winter Games Prospects Squad!

Manitoba’s archery community is celebrating outstanding performances at the 2026 Archery Canada Regional Indoor Championships. Representing our province with pride, a total of 95 archers competed, bringing home an impressive haul of medals and securing numerous top-ten finishes in highly competitive categories.

Podium Finishers

Hunter Division Highlights: In the competitive 21+ Hunter Female division, Manitoba secured two podium spots:

• Gold: Sharie Hiebert (1st Place)
• Bronze: Olga Veldman (3rd Place, out of 9 archers)

Compound Category Success Stories: Manitoba archers absolutely excelled in several deep and challenging Compound categories:

• Compound Unlimited Male (50+): Rich Vogt demonstrated exceptional skill, clinching 1st place out of a robust field of 22 archers.
• Compound Unlimited Female (21+): April Rey commanded the field, earning 1st place among 6 competitors.
• Compound U13 Female: Our province truly dominated this category, claiming the top two spots! Liesl Gerullis took home the Gold medal (1st), with Macy Joynt earning the Silver medal (2nd) out of 13 talented competitors.
• Compound U13 Male: Provincial Team Member Laganjot Sandhu shot his way to 1st place, while recent Manitoba Games (West Region) competitor Elie Nicholls secured a well-deserved Bronze medal (3rd) in a large field of 24 archers.
• Compound U15 Female: Fresh off a West Region Gold Medal at the Manitoba Games, Nevaeh Sierens continued her impressive streak, placing 3rd among 20 archers.

In one of the event’s largest and most competitive categories, featuring a staggering 51 competitors, Team Manitoba proudly placed two archers on the podium:

• 1st Place: Acadia Flockton
• 2nd Place: Khushreet Sandhu

Recurve & Barebow Achievements: Our archers also shone brightly in the Recurve and Barebow divisions:

• Recurve Female (21+): Anna Parkhomenko showcased her skill, placing a remarkable 2nd out of 27 archers in one of the deepest divisions that included national team athletes.
• Barebow Female (50+): Lisa Homenick skillfully secured the 3rd place medal among 14 competitors.

Beyond the Podium: Impressive Top 10 Performances

Compound Division Notables:

• Compound Unlimited Male (21+): Austin Taylor finished a strong 4th out of 33 competitors.
• Luke Bass: 5th place in U18 Male (51 archers).
• Bailey Mathers: Top 5 in U21 Female (13 archers).
• Sam Chapman: 7th place in U15 Male (40 archers).
• Joel Brugger: 9th place in 21+ Male (64 archers).
• Kaitlyn Malazdrewich: 9th place in 21+ Female (31 archers).
• Kyle Oliver: 9th place in 50+ Male (35 archers).
• U13 Male Depth: Manitoba displayed incredible depth with three archers placing in the top 10 out of 23: Johnathan Belcher (5th), Liam Turner (9th), and Lawson Dalgliesh (10th).
• 21+ Unlimited Male Depth: Another category demonstrating Manitoba’s strength, with four archers in the top 10 out of 33: Allan Gunter (6th), Joel Brugger (8th), Drew Sirett (9th), and Brandon Uruski (10th).

Recurve, Barebow & Hunter Highlights:

• Sarah Wach: 4th place in Barebow 21+ Female (13 archers).
• Jack Reeves: Top 5 in Barebow U18 Male (22 archers).
• Greg Rubell: Top 5 in Barebow 50+ Male (38 archers).
• Brielle VanDaele: 7th place in Recurve U18 Female (35 archers).
• Kyle Berry: 9th place in 21+ Male Hunter (23 archers).

In the team event, Team Heartland, comprised of Joel Brugger, Khushreet Sandhu, and Laganjot Sandhu, showcased incredible teamwork and skill to secure a fantastic 2nd-place finish!

CLICK HERE TO SEE A FULL LISTING OF RESULTS

Congratulations to all 95 athletes who represented Manitoba with such pride, skill, and sportsmanship at this year’s championships! Your dedication is an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to celebrating your continued success!

Announcing the 2026 Provincial Target Team for Archery Manitoba

Archery Manitoba is pleased to announce the formation of the 2026 Provincial Target Team. This year’s team comprises nine provincial high-performance archers, ranging from experienced to promising new talent. The nine-member team comprises archers from the U15, U18, U21, and 21+ Para Divisions. We are especially excited to welcome Theo Salem to the U18 Compound category as the newest addition to the team.

For a detailed look at the full roster, please visit our website: 2026 Provincial Target Team.

In leadership news, we are pleased to announce Sean Murray will be joining our program’s coaching staff. Sean, who contributed significantly in 2025, will now serve as a permanent coach. He will collaborate with Dale Bakker, who has been integral to our coaching efforts since 2024. We are also pleased to have Cleo Wermann-Thorn, a former provincial team member, join as an assistant coach, bringing valuable experience and insight from the athlete’s perspective.

The Provincial Target Team will engage in structured weekly training sessions to prepare for major competitions, including the 2026 Canada Cups, Youth Pan American Championships, National Target Championships, and the 2027 Canada Winter Games.

Reflecting on the announcement, Coach Sean Murray expressed his enthusiasm: “I have been involved in archery in various capacities for the past 17 years. Over the last year, I transitioned into a coaching role, where I discovered that helping others reach their full potential brings a sense of fulfillment I never experienced while competing. I hope to continue supporting and developing athletes across the province for many years to come.”

This announcement signals a pivotal moment for Archery Manitoba, as a core group of athletes who have mainly represented the province since 2018 have moved on, paving the way for younger talent to uphold and exceed the high standards set at national events. The new team builds on recent successes, including reaching the Canadian National Podium in 2025 and earning spots on Canadian National Teams.

For more information about the Provincial Target Team Program and our 2027 Team Criteria, please visit Archery Manitoba Teams or contact us via email at info@archerymanitoba.ca.

Stay posted for Archery Manitoba’s 3D Team Announcement to follow in the coming days!

Planning your 2026 outdoor season? It’s time to get your 3D events on the map! Whether you are hosting a local fun shoot or are interested in partnering with us for an ASA Tour Manitoba Stop, we want to hear from you.

📅 Initial Intake Deadline: Monday, February 2

Why register your event with Archery Manitoba?

✅ Liability insurance coverage for your event
✅ Promotion on the official Archery Manitoba Event Calendar
✅ Support with online registration setup
✅ Custom promotional materials (like event posters!)

“What if we aren’t ready by Feb 2?”
No problem! The February 2 deadline is for priority consideration for partner events and to lock in your preferred dates on the provincial calendar early. If you need more time, you can register a club fun shoot at any point during the year—our support has no deadline!

Get Started:
👉 Host Guidelines
👉 Event Registration Form

Questions? Email info@archerymanitoba.ca or VP 3D Archery, Sean Murray at asatourmb@gmail.com

Let’s make this an incredible outdoor season! 🏹🌲

The Multi-Sites Indoor Championships of the Americas (MICA) once again provided an exciting platform for archers from both North and South America to showcase their skills. Archery Manitoba’s athletes rose to the occasion with impressive performances. This annual virtual competition, organized by World Archery Americas, features archers shooting 60 arrows at 18 meters from their local clubs, with scores ranked across the continent in various bow and age categories.

U21 Women Compound: Khushreet Sandhu Triumphs

Khushreet Sandhu delivered a stellar performance, clinching the Gold Medal in the U21 Women’s Compound category. Her remarkable achievement of securing the top spot among 110 competitors highlights her skill and precision, making her a standout athlete in this year’s competition.

Barebow Senior Women: Sarah Wach Impresses

Sarah Wach demonstrated her prowess in the Barebow Senior Women category, earning an impressive 8th-place finish among 249 competitors. Her top ten finish showcases her dedication and competitive spirit.

Barebow Men 50+: Greg Rubell in the Top 10

Greg Rubell excelled in the Barebow Men 50+ category, finishing in 10th place out of 133 archers. This achievement underscores his consistent performance, placing him among the elite competitors in his category.

Team Round Success

Team Manitoba excelled at MICA in the three-person team round. The U21 Compound Women’s team—Acdia Flockton, Bailey Mathers, and Khushreet Sandhu—won gold, while. The U21 Compound Men—Laganjot Sandhu, Luke Bass, and Struan MacKinnon—earned bronze.                  

Strong Showings Across Categories

Compound Men 50+: Dave Cupples (37th out of 200), Jared Wardle (57th), and Kelly Taylor (75th).

Recurve Men 50+: Mike Fox secured 34th out of 227 competitors.

Compound Senior Men: Erik Wanhella and Brandon Uruski tied for 58th out of 343, followed by Joel Brugger (69th) and others.

Para Compound Open Men: Chris Waterman placed 13th out of 26.

U18 Barebow Men: Maury Lavitt finished 26th out of 44.

U18 Compound Men: Strong participation led by Sylar Anderson Johnson (70th out of 134).

Women’s Categories Highlights:

50+ Barebow Women: Lisa Homenick achieved 49th place out of 69 participants.

50+ Compound Women: Shannon Hall (41st) and Colleen Kelly-Wardle (44th) competed well among 62 entries.

-Recurve Senior Women: Anna Parkhomenko secured the 30th position out of 331.

U18 Barebow Women: Fangge Zhu placed 34th out of 66.

U18 Compound Women: Acadia Flockton stood out with a 20th-place finish out of 122 competitors.

For full listings of the results, please go to:

• Individual Results
• Team Results

The archery community had an exciting weekend at the 2026 Westman ASA Winter 3D Classic in Brandon, Manitoba, from January 9 to 11. Organized by the Westman Outdoor Group and the Brandon Wildlife Association, the event drew over 110 competitors and many more spectators, bringing together archers of all ages and skill levels for a memorable experience.

Friday kicked off the festivities with the eagerly awaited Frozen 140 event and a 20-target IBO 3D round. These fun-focused activities drew over 80 recreational archers, creating a positive start to the weekend. The relaxed vibe set the perfect tone for the more competitive main events to follow.

The weekend’s main event was the Indoor ASA 3D Format taking place on Saturday and Sunday, featuring over 110 archers competing across three rounds of twenty foam ASA animal targets. From young children under 10 to archers over 60, the wide range of participants beautifully showcased the inclusive and welcoming spirit of the sport.

This year, spectator numbers increased noticeably, filling the air with cheers and encouragement for the competitors, which added energy to the atmosphere. After a Saturday filled with competition, the host clubs organized a friendly dinner for everyone, followed by a fun team round involving 14 teams of five archers each. The enthusiastic participation in the team event reflected the strong sense of community and camaraderie among all the archers involved.

Travis VanDaele, the lead organizer and club president, shared his thoughts: “I think the weekend went well. The timing was perfect, and from what I saw, everyone was having a great time. It was packed with events, but I believe with a few small changes, it can get even better next year. It’s a lot of work, but seeing everyone enjoy themselves makes it all worthwhile.”

VanDaele also expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts of volunteers and key members like Sharie Heibert, Derek Robins, Brynn Hearn, Mark Chapman, and Brandon Farquhar and his family. He also thanked the sponsors and partners, including The Keystone Centre, Alternative Landscaping, Jo Brook Outdoors, Brandon Wildlife Association, Archery Manitoba, and Archery Canada.

Sean Murray, Vice President of 3D Archery for Archery Manitoba, praised the event, noting the creativity and dedication of the organizers: “Overall, I think the committee did a wonderful job organizing the Westman ASA Classic. Finding new ways to improve can be challenging, but they managed to bring different aspects together to give everyone in the community something to look forward to. If you missed this year’s event, I highly recommend marking your calendar for next year—you won’t be disappointed!”

The success of the 2026 Westman ASA Winter 3D Classic highlights the growing enthusiasm for archery in Manitoba. It promises even more excitement and innovation in future years, continuing to nurture a vibrant community of passionate archers. Be sure to save the date for next year’s Classic—it’s an event you won’t want to miss!

To view the full photo album from the event, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/TBj1ingYBqextTGL6

Road to the 2026 Rushmore Rumble

This past weekend, several Provincial Target Team athletes competed at the NFAA Rushmore Rumble in Indianapolis. Chris Waterman, Khushreet Sandhu, and Laganjot Sandhu represented Manitoba with professionalism and pride on a national stage. The event consisted of a 5-spot 600 round on Saturday, followed by a 3-spot 300 round on Sunday, for a combined total of 900 points.

Chris Waterman competed in the Compound Male Flights category and completed the weekend in the 15th flight group with a final score of 848 out of 900.

Laganjot Sandhu delivered a standout performance in the Compound Cub Male category. Finishing only seven points behind first place, Laganjot secured second place with a score of 859 out of 900. Reflecting on his performance, Laganjot stated:

“I worked through my shots and performed very well. I am proud of the outcome of this tournament.”

Through consistent training and a strong respect for the sport, Laganjot continues to demonstrate a high level of commitment. His disciplined approach to practice is evident in his performance at major competitions and his continued success on the podium.

In the Compound Young Adult Female category, Khushreet Sandhu produced two strong rounds to earn a podium finish. After the first day of competition, she sat in fourth place with a score of 593 and 36 Xs. On the second day, she delivered an exceptional performance, shooting a near-perfect 299 with 24 Xs. Khushreet concluded the weekend in third place with a total score of 892 out of 900 and 60 Xs. When asked about her experience, Khushreet commented:

“This tournament was a great opportunity for me to compete with, and learn from, other high-level athletes.”

Khushreet’s ability to evaluate her performances thoughtfully, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement, continues to support her long-term development. She remains a strong representative of Manitoba and shows significant promise for the future.

As the 2026 season gets underway, the Provincial Manitoba Target Team has already recorded four individual podium finishes across two major events. This early success reflects the commitment of the athletes and the effectiveness of the program and makes my job extremely rewarding to be apart of their journey in the sport.

Sean Murray
Provincial Target Team Coach

Sunday, January 4, 202,6 Blackfalds, Alberta

Written by Archery Manitoba Team Coach: Sean Murray

The weekend started Friday night with the JJAC 5-Spot Rumble, a 50-arrow round scored on outer-10s. Archers had the option to purchase mulligans, which let them replace a set number of their lowest-value arrows. It’s worth noting that neither Manitoba team member needed that extra help. In the U21 Female category, Bailey Mathers posted a strong 467 to earn the silver medal. In the highly competitive U18 Female category, Acadia Flockton delivered an impressive 489 to take first place.

Saturday featured the qualification rounds, with the athletes shooting a 600 round. In the combined U25/U21 Female class of 10 archers, Bailey Mathers finished the ranking round in first place with a score of 557. The U18 Female category included a deep field of 22 athletes, where Acadia Flockton came out strong, shooting a 562—just four points behind the leader in second place.

Later that evening, both athletes were randomly paired for the team rounds. After several impressive matches, both teams advanced to their respective gold medal matches, ultimately finishing the night with silver medals.

Sunday began early with double-elimination match play. Both athletes earned byes to start the day. The U18 Female matches were first, where Acadia Flockton won four straight matches to reach the gold medal match. She found her stride at just the right moment, shooting a solid 145 to claim gold. Notably, Acadia recorded two 145s during match play, just one point shy of the highest match score of the entire U18 category.

Bailey Mathers opened match play by winning her first two matches. In her third, she faced a tough competitor and fell just a few points short. Match four was a pivotal moment—either secure bronze or win and move on to the gold medal match. Bailey shot strongly throughout, trailing by one point heading into the final arrow. Needing a 10 to force a closest-to-centre shoot-off, she stepped up and delivered a perfect shot to advance to gold. Bailey stayed committed to her game plan in the final but ultimately came up just short, finishing the weekend with a silver medal.

Overall, I’m incredibly pleased with how both athletes performed and represented the provincial target team program. It was a long and demanding weekend, both physically and mentally, but they came well-prepared to handle the heavy volume and the extended time on the line. As a coach, the goal is always to give our athletes the tools and support they need to succeed at significant events and, most importantly, to leave with positive takeaways—and this weekend did just that.