By Coach Richard

I recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the USA Archery Regional Elite Program (REP) Camp at the Easton Archery Center in Salt Lake City on June 14–15, serving as a coach observer.

The REP is designed to develop the next generation of archers—those who are not only competitive at the national level but also show strong potential for success on the international stage. Led by some of the national top coaches in USA Archery, this two-day camp offered an intense and inspiring mix of skill development, tournament preparation, mental training, and more. It was truly moving to watch young athletes—some as young as 13—demonstrate such raw talent, discipline, and determination. Their passion and dedication to the sport were constant reminders of why I love coaching.

In addition to physical and technical training, the camp placed a strong emphasis on mental resilience. Observing these athletes remain focused and composed under pressure was an invaluable learning experience for me as a coach. It also sparked new coaching ideas that I’m excited to bring back to our archery club to better support our athletes’ growth.

Beyond the training sessions, I had the chance to engage in meaningful conversations not only with elite-level coaches but also with the parents of athletes. Hearing their experiences and perspectives added another dimension to my understanding of what it takes to support young archers, both on and off the field.

This experience not only allowed me to witness the future of competitive archery firsthand, but also gave me space to reflect on and refine my own coaching philosophy. I'm leaving Salt Lake City with fresh insights, new tools, and renewed inspiration to continue helping our archers reach their fullest potential.

I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such a well-organized, enriching, and forward-thinking program. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned—and to watching our athletes continue to thrive and grow.

Sponsored by WIN4ALL: https://www.win-4all.org