Rowley secured Australia’s first gold medal of the Trans Tasman Archery challenge in Christchurch, New Zealand – which culminated on April 22 – with teammate Maddie Boyle in the mixed matchplay event.

In a final that saw New Zealand relegated to third place, Rowley and Boyle – the number two-ranked Australian team – out-shot their number one-ranked teammates in a thrilling decider.

Judges were forced to call for new targets after the archers had destroyed the centres of their respective targets.

Rowley and Boyle finished with a near-perfect final score of 156 out of 160.

Rowley followed up his gold with a silver medal in the compound bow, cadet men, individual target event.

The Australians once again dominated the medal count, with Remy Leonard taking out first place in front of Rowley as Jordan Van Waas of New Zealand claimed the bronze medal.

Emily Ruskin – competing in the compound bow, intermediate women’s division – was unlucky not to place in the matchplay but was pleased as punch with her bronze medal in the individual target event.

Ruskin who competed alongside the two top-ranked Australian girls in her division – Caitlin Howeden and Francesca Leuzzi. The trio completed an Australian clean sweep in the event.

The trip across the ditch was a valuable experience for both archers, giving them a taste of international competition and fostering new relationships with the New Zealand archers.

The pair thanked all their supporters for the help to make the trip possible.