Teenager feels the pulling power of Robin Hood

Budding archer Rachel Burge reckons the sport she has always loved is underrated in New Zealand. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Rachel Burge practises archery almost every day and hopes to one day represent New Zealand at the Olympics.

The 16-year-old became interested in the sport about a year-and-a-half ago after watching Robin Hood.

"Who doesn't want to try out bows and arrows? I've always sort of been a tomboy and it just seemed really cool."

And she is happy that The Hunger Games has brought more like her into the fold.

Miss Burge, a student at the Manukau Institute of Technology, has always eagerly watched archery at the Olympics and wanted to try it.

Since joining the Auckland Archery Club her passion and dedication have grown. She tries to train for up to two hours daily, shooting at a target in her garage, and on Thursdays she meets her coach to hone her skill.

In the past two weeks she has competed in two tournaments, finishing second in both.

She is pleased the sport has taken off because "it's very cool and people don't normally think of doing it".

"Archery's really underrated in New Zealand - it's a wonderful sport, I think way more people should do it ... I think it's great that Hunger Games has shown archery in a really cool way.

"It's quite a tough sport sometimes but I really enjoy it."