Supporting Young Athletes: Insights from Dr. Jennifer Harris on Sport Parenting

What if the key to your athlete's success isn't more expensive equipment or extra coaching, but changes in YOUR behaviour?

A Parent's Guide to WAYC (Winnipeg 2025)

This episode is a comprehensive guide for parents and Archers about the upcoming World Archery Youth Championships (WAYC) in Winnipeg, Manitoba, August 17–24. Manisha, Kelly Taylor (Chair, WAYC2025), and Aaron Bull (President, Archery Canada) discuss the event's background, logistics, tips for families, and the significance of youth championships in an Archer’s development.

Key Topics Covered:

• Event Background:
• The World Archery Youth Championships is for U18 and U21 Archers in Recurve and Compound categories
• It is held every two years
• Winnipeg’s successful bid is the collaborative effort between Archery Manitoba, Archery Canada, and local organizations

• Winnipeg as Host City:
• Attractions: The Forks, Exchange District, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Assiniboine Park Zoo, and local restaurants
• Indigenous community involvement and historical significance of The Forks

• Event Logistics:
• Over 575 Archers from 64 countries
• Accommodation: Multiple hotels
• Transportation: Shuttle services, airport transfers, and local transit tips
• Tickets: Available at wayc2025.com ($10/day, $30 finals, $100 all-access)

• Competition Details:
• Schedule: Practice on August 17, qualifications and eliminations through the week, Finals on the weekend
• Finals at The Forks, a site of deep historical and cultural importance
• Live scoring on IANSEO.net; Finals broadcast on Archery+

• Tips for Parents and Archers:
• Travel light but bring essentials (sunscreen, cash, eSim, adapters, rain gear.
• Be open to new experiences and cultures
• Understand the "no equipment failure" and "no medical" rules
• Bring backup equipment and consider pin/jersey trading
• Importance of setting realistic goals and learning from the experience

• Significance of Youth Championships:
• A critical step in an Archer’s development, offering experience under pressure
• Qualification processes and the importance of meeting Minimum Qualifying Scores (MQS)
• Advice on building community and gaining experience at national and international events

• Special Events:
• World of Archery Gala for Archers
• Indigenous artisans showcasing their work
• “Try Archery” booths at the venues
• Event merchandise and collectible pins

Resources & Links:

Joe Leszner: Acknowledgement, Acceptance & Authenticity

What does it take to transform from a nervous Archer into a confident competitor who can perform under the world's most intense pressure? The answer might surprise you. It has nothing to do with "feeling good" or "faking it".

Join us for a revealing conversation with Joe Leszner, the Mental Performance Consultant who became an internet sensation during the 2023 World Archery Championships in Berlin. Joe shares the strategies that helped Canadian Archers achieve breakthrough performances on the world's biggest stages, from his work with Olympic and Paralympic athletes to his role in Team Canada's historic bronze medal win at the 2024 Yecheon World Cup.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why Joe's "net neutral" philosophy changes everything about how we think about support systems in Archery

• The truth about emotions and performance: why athletes "don't need to feel good to be good"

• How being the underdog became Team Canada's secret weapon at the 2024 World Cup

• Why "fake it 'til you make it" actually hurts performance and what to do instead

• The strategic psychology behind "the Plan" in Berlin (from the high-fives to the "I love you, Sjef!")

• Practical tools for navigating Archery's unique mental challenges, like the "Archer's Kryptonite"

Joe brings impressive credentials to his unconventional approach. But, it's his practical, real-world approach that sets him apart from traditional sports psychology. Whether you're a parent supporting a development Archer or working with athletes competing on the world stage, Joe's insights challenge conventional thinking about mental performance and offer practical tools that can benefit Archers at every level.

His philosophy embraces the Archer's journey focussing on seeking progress rather than demanding perfection.

It's a balance that proves essential for long-term success and enjoyment in this demanding sport.

Connect with Joe Leszner:

Email: jleszner[@]gmail.com

Sporty Eleanor: Panic, Perseverance & Podiums

In this episode of The Archery Parent Podcast, host Manisha talks to Eleanor Rodriguez, also known as Sporty Eleanor.

Eleanor shares her journey in Archery, including her struggles with target panic, her approach to overcoming it, and how a new coaching perspective can change everything. She discusses the impact of parental pressure on young archers and provides advice for parents to support their children effectively. Eleanor also talks about her unique path to gaining sponsorships through social media, the challenges women face in the sport, and her future plans in archery and coaching.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:25 Understanding Target Panic

02:26 Personal Experience with Target Panic

04:12 Overcoming Target Panic

07:23 Support and Coaching

11:26 Parental Pressure and Archery

15:13 Resilience in Archery

19:26 Social Media and Sponsorship

27:51 Realizing the Potential of Sponsorships

28:15 Listing and Discussing Sponsors

28:52 Responsibilities with New Equipment

31:45 Social Media Obligations

33:23 Advice for Parents of Young Archers

36:44 Staying Authentic on Social Media

Eleanor’s story is a testament to resilience - showing that setbacks are part of every archer’s journey, and with patience and support, it’s possible to come back stronger than ever.

Whether you’re an athlete, parent, or coach, this episode offers hope and practical insights for anyone facing their own battles with performance anxiety.

Connect with Eleanor Rodriguez (aka Sporty Eleanor):

In this episode, we’re kicking off our new weekly series with the latest updates from the world of Archery.

Whether you’re a seasoned Archery parent or new, an Archer, or fan, this is your go-to source for the news you need to know.

(It’s also so you can understand what your Archer is talking about and make it seem like you do, too. 😉)

Let's dive in:

🏹 Local clubs release their outdoor schedules

🏹 Sanlida World Archery Rankings

🏹 Coaching changes at Archery GB 

🏹 The best April Fool’s Day posts

🏹 The harbinger of the outdoor season is underway in Phoenix

🏹 Indian Archers face travel issues ‼️UPDATE: Issue resolved for the majority of the team!‼️

🏹 Canada’s national events calendar

🏹 Hyundai Archery World Cup Stage 1 begins in Auburndale, Florida, on April 8-13

🏹 One Arrow at a Time

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Stay Informed Every Week! We’ll bring you the latest Archery news, event highlights, and updates every Friday. This is your chance to impress your Archer.

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🔗 Links & Resources: