Mitchell Isaac Named Coach for Canada’s 3D Archery Team

Mitchell Isaac began archery in 2019. His children and wife were heavily involved in the sport, and Isaac eventually decided to give it a try. The first time he played, it didn’t go so well, but he didn’t get discouraged, he kept trying, and once he was shown the mechanics of how to properly shoot a bow, he quickly fell in love with it.

Isaac said, “Archery was something I never really saw myself doing growing up. I’m a trained hockey player, and hockey was the only thing I knew when it came to competitiveness.”

Isaac is now the owner of the Listuguj Archery Club, and the Vice President of the Restigouche Archery Club, located in Atholville, New Brunswick. During the indoor season, Isaac practices in Atholville at Alma Hall, and during the outdoor season, he shoots and trains in Listuguj. Isaac is responsible for managing and coordinating archery in Listuguj and setting up ranges in the paintball field and ball field in the community. 

Earlier this month it was announced that Isaac has been selected to be the coach for Canada’s 3D Archery Team at the 2024 World Archery 3D Championships. This will be held in Mokrice, Slovenia from September 30^th to October 6^th.  Last Fall there was a call out that Team Canada was looking for a manager and coach. Isaac applied for the coach’s position and was selected for an interview, ultimately landing him the title of coach.  This event takes place every two years, and the team is selected at Outdoor Nationals, which was held in 2023 in British Columbia. Any athlete who competed at the Nationals was eligible to be on Team Canada.

Isaac will be coaching 20 adult athletes from all over Canada. Six athletes will be returning from the 2022 event. Isaac is currently working on obtaining his Competition Development Coaching Certification, which is the highest level you can get in Canada. He will be using this certification to help the team with strength and endurance training. There is a lot of training when it comes to the sport of archery, not only physically, but mentally. Visualization is important, as well as mental preparations for consistency.

“What’s really special about archery is the community that you become a part of,” said Isaac.

If you are interested in trying archery, you can reach out to Isaac via Facebook at Listuguj Archery Club or Restigouche Archery Club. During the indoor season, the first night is free, afterwards, those looking to practice archery must be a member of Archery New Brunswick, which comes with an annual fee for adults and children.

Good luck to Mitchell Isaac and Team Canada at the 2024 World Archery 3D Championships!

By Ann Marie Jacques