Canada Cup West – Cranbrook, BC

This weekend, the Manitoba Provincial Team travelled to Cranbrook, BC, to compete at Canada Cup West. A total of 102 athletes participated in the event, representing provinces from across Canada as well as the United States.

The views in Cranbrook were nothing short of spectacular, but the weather was less than ideal for much of the weekend.

Competition began Friday evening with the optional 720 round. As the archers took to the field, the wind quickly made its presence known—something our Manitoba athletes are all too familiar with. With gusts reaching up to 60 km/h and target bales blowing over across the field, the competitors seemed to shrink end by end. Rather than letting the conditions frustrate them, our athletes embraced the challenge and used it as a learning opportunity, knowing that strong winds were forecasted throughout the weekend.

Saturday morning brought calm weather and ideal conditions for qualification rounds. Each team member shot well and put together strong performances. Acadia Flockton qualified first in the U18/50+ Women’s Compound division with a score of 681, Luke Bass qualified 11th in the U18/50+ Men’s Compound division with a 646, and Chris Waterman qualified second in Para Compound with a 655.

With qualifications complete, attention turned to the Mixed Team event. Luke Bass and Payton Harms (SK) entered as the 13th seed and were narrowly defeated in a closely contested opening match. Acadia Flockton and Gage Malenfant qualified third in a highly competitive field and went on to win three consecutive matches, advancing to the gold-medal final. In a tight contest, they delivered an impressive score of 152 to capture the gold medal by two points.

Sunday morning greeted us with wind, rain, and temperatures hovering around 4°C—far from ideal conditions for individual match play. With hot pockets being passed around to stay warm, our athletes persevered through the challenging weather.

Chris Waterman was first on the field in the U21/21+ Men’s Compound combined category. After a hard-fought match, he fell just short, finishing the weekend with a silver medal in the Para Compound category.

Next up was Luke Bass in the U18/50+ Men’s Compound division. Facing a seasoned 50+ athlete, Luke stayed composed and shot well despite the difficult conditions, but it wasn’t enough to advance.

In the U18/50+ Women’s Compound division, Acadia Flockton won two consecutive matches to earn a spot in the gold medal final. The championship match was a back-and-forth battle, but Flockton stayed focused and finished strong, defeating her opponent 140–136 to secure the gold medal.

A noteworthy mention goes to Manitoba athlete Anna Parkhomenko, who qualified second in the U21/21+ Women’s Recurve division, just nine points behind first place. In the Mixed Team event, Parkhomenko and teammate Dawson Molitor won two straight matches to advance to the gold-medal final, where they delivered an impressive performance, winning 6–2.

In individual match play, Parkhomenko won her opening match to advance to the gold-medal final. Facing a tough opponent, she came up just short and finished the weekend with a well-earned silver medal.

I’m extremely impressed with how our athletes handled themselves throughout the weekend and proud of the way they competed. The weather wasn’t what we had hoped for, but we left Cranbrook with plenty of highlights, valuable life lessons, and new experiences. We’ll continue putting ourselves in these situations, because that’s where growth happens.

Sean Murray
Provincial Target Team Coach
Archery Manitoba

MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA – Four of Manitoba’s premier youth archers recently returned from South America after representing Team Canada at the 2026 Pan American Youth Championships. Competing in Medellín from May 22–28, the Manitoba contingent proved they belong among the world’s best, coming home with a gold medal, a silver medal, and several top-ten finishes.

The roster featured a powerhouse group of compound archers: Laganjot Sandhu (U15), Khushreet Sandhu (U18), Acadia Flockton (U18), and Bailey Mathers (U21).

The week was highlighted by a stunning performance from Acadia Flockton. Competing in the U18 Compound Mix Team event alongside Ontario’s Bennett Nelson, Flockton secured a 1st-place finish to bring home the gold for Canada. Flockton also excelled individually, placing 6th out of 17 international competitors.

In the U15 Compound Men’s division, Laganjot Sandhu delivered a clinical performance, finishing 2nd in a competitive field of 10 to earn a silver medal. Rounding out the top-ten finishes, Khushreet Sandhu placed 9th in the U18 Compound Women’s division, while Bailey Mathers represented the province with pride in the U21 category.

For many of the athletes, this event marked their debut on the international circuit.

“Stepping onto the line wearing a Team Canada jersey for the first time is something I’ll never forget,” said gold medalist Acadia Flockton. “There was a mix of pride, excitement, and a few nerves, but as soon as I drew the bow back, everything settled into focus. All the planning and preparation paid off, as I shot a new personal best and won a gold medal in the mixed team event!”

Manitoba Team Coach Sean Murray, who supported the athletes’ preparation for Colombia, emphasized that the value of the trip extended far beyond the podium.

“Success cannot be measured solely by placements or medals. Instead, we focus on the lessons learned, the challenges overcome, and the personal growth that comes from competing on the international stage,” said Murray. “By that measure, every athlete represented our team with pride and achieved something meaningful.”

Archery Manitoba congratulates all four athletes on their incredible achievements and looks forward to seeing their continued growth in the sport.

STE. ANNE, MB — The 2026 Archery Manitoba ASA Tour kicked off with a historic start this past weekend, May 24, as the Monominto trails played host to the season’s first stop.

In a landmark achievement for the local archery scene, the event saw a record-breaking 88 archers take to the course. The tournament was made possible through a successful partnership between Archery Manitoba and the Eastman Archery Club.

The event served as more than just a competition; it was a gathering point for the broader outdoor community. Ed Wilson of the Eastman Archery Club noted that the weekend was a fantastic opportunity to bridge the gap between competitive shooters and local enthusiasts.

“It was a great chance to grow the archery community in the area, with lots of local hunters coming out to take part in both the casual event, along with the ASA stop,” said Wilson. “We are already working to invest some of the proceeds in new targets to allow the club to host regular 3-D nights during the summer, and I know we will see new faces come out this year.”

As a newer club, the success of this tour stop provides a vital foundation for future growth. The proceeds from the record attendance are already being earmarked for equipment resources to ensure the sport remains accessible in the region year-round.

Reflecting on the weekend, Wilson shared his gratitude for the participants and the impact their support has on the club’s development:

“Thanks to everyone who attended the 1st leg of the 2026 Archery Manitoba ASA tour! We are grateful for everyone who made the trip to the Monominto trails in support of our club. The record attendance is a huge win for archery in the area, providing critical funding to help build the club’s equipment resources.

We are hopeful that this event will help springboard archery in the area when we kick off our weekly shoot nights over the summer. As we are a new club, we relied heavily on the community for set up, clean up, etc, and we are grateful to everyone who stayed after the event to help pack up and tidy the site. I was really proud walking the trails after the event of the condition of the ranges, with no trash or anything left. We are already planning for 2027 and making notes on how we can improve.”

An event of this scale is only possible through the dedication of a selfless team of volunteers. Archery Manitoba and the Eastman Archery Club would like to extend a massive thank you to the RM of Tache and the following individuals for their hard work in making the weekend a success:

• Iris Wilson & Camille Wilson
• Sean Murray & Kyle Oliver
• Allan Gunter & Troy Blackwell
• Rich Vogt & Mark Chapman
• Anika Evans & Chloe Wermann Thron
• Chyler Sanders & Shannon Greer
• David Barron

Final results can be found at: https://archerymanitoba.ca/events2/3d-tournament-results/

With the first leg of the tour officially in the books, the momentum now shifts to the rest of the summer season.

Stay tuned to Archery Manitoba for upcoming tour stop information and registration!

Important Note Regarding Awards: The organizers sincerely apologize for the technical difficulties at the end of the event, which unfortunately led to the cancellation of the awards ceremony. We appreciate your patience as we rectify this. For award winners attending the second stop of the tour, we will hold a recognition ceremony there to present your awards. For all other winners, awards will be sent out via mail. Thank you for your understanding!

Ottawa, ON – May 6th, 2026 – Archery Manitoba is thrilled to celebrate the selection of four local athletes to the Archery Canada team heading to the 2026 Pan American Youth and Masters Championships (YMPAC). The prestigious international event will be held from May 22–28, 2026, in the vibrant city of Medellín, Colombia.

The Pan American Youth and Masters Championships serve as a premier stage for high-performance competition, bringing together the top archers from across the Americas. Featuring U15, U18, U21, and 50+ age categories, the event is a vital stepping stone for athlete development in the compound, recurve, and barebow disciplines.

Manitoba is well-represented within the Compound divisions, with athletes selected across three different youth age categories:

• Laganjot Sandhu (U15 Compound)
• Acadia Flockton (U18 Compound)
• Khushreet Sandhu (U18 Compound)
• Bailey Mathers (U21 Compound)

These athletes have shown incredible dedication to their craft, earning their spots through rigorous training and consistent performance.

Team Manitoba Coach Sean Murray expressed his pride in the athletes’ achievements and their preparation for the upcoming trip to Colombia:

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to see four team athletes heading to Pan Am Youths. Each athlete has been putting in a lot of work this year to prepare themselves to compete on this big stage. I’m looking forward to watching how things unfold as I know they’re all ready for this test!”

The Canadian delegation will be supported by National Coach Junior Bolanos, Team Manager Nick Fogg (AB), and coaches Duncan Crawford (PEI) and Soha Mahmoud (ON).

Archery Manitoba joins the rest of the country in wishing our athletes the best of luck as they represent Canada with pride on the international stage.

For the full Archery Canada announcement and complete national roster, click here.

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!