At just 17, Variety Heart Scholarship recipient Millie Fisher has claimed a bronze medal at the 2026 World Archery Field Championships.
When 17-year-old Millie Fisher travelled to Yankton, South Dakota, to represent Australia at the World Archery Field Championships in September, she hoped to gain valuable international experience and, at the very least, avoid finishing last. Instead, she returned home with a bronze medal, ranking third in the world in the Female Under 21 Barebow Recurve division.
It was an achievement that took time to sink in after the intense pressure of going head-to-head against incredibly talented archers from around the world.
“It was a wonderful but challenging experience. Archery has a large mental component, it demands absolute concentration and precision, so stress management is important,” Millie said.
“Then there was the medal ceremony which was the most formal one I’ve ever been to. It was nerve-racking standing on the podium, and at the time it didn’t feel real.”
“It was only when I saw all the Australians who had come to support us, that’s when I realised, I had a world-class medal.”
Millie’s journey into archery began long before she picked up a bow. Inspired by films such as Disney’s Brave and The Hunger Games, she was fascinated by the sport from a young age. It wasn’t until she was 14, that she finally had the opportunity to try it herself during a school camp at Sydney Olympic Park.
“I loved it immediately, despite it not being easy! I enjoyed the challenge and problem solving of adapting to a weak bow and trying to fit the target. It was as fun as it was competitive,” she said.
Initially, Millie was simply keen to join a club and become part of the archery community. But after discovering her potential and being encouraged to compete at the junior national championships, she quickly caught the competitive bug.
Reaching the world stage has required considerable commitment. Millie trains three to four times a week and competes regularly on weekends. She also works with different coaches in the lead-up to major competitions.
It has also come with the significant financial costs of equipment, coaching, travel and competing at an elite level.
Over the past three years, Millie has received $12,000 in support from Variety, which she says has given her the opportunity follow her dreams and compete internationally.
“A bow alone can cost more than $3000, and I need to replace arrows and strings all the time as I grow stronger and develop my technique,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have been able to travel overseas and achieve a world championship medal without Variety’s support,” Millie says.
“They’ve been a massive part of my journey as an archer.”
Millie is already looking ahead to the next chapter, with the Junior National Championships in Tasmania in March 2027 among her upcoming goals. She also hopes to earn selection for the Trans-Tasman team in 2027.
As a young woman pursuing a sport that can appear male-dominated at elite levels, Millie hopes her achievements will encourage other girls to give something new a go.
“Don’t be afraid to try. Train hard, because what you put in is what you get.”
And for the Variety supporters who have helped her along the way, Millie’s story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to pursue their potential.
“Thank you for all the support. It really does make a difference. The help from Variety supporters means the world.”
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