Carter, 15, was a member of Hunter Ice Skating Club for four years before she had to throw in the towel due to pars stress fractures in the lumbar spine from landing on her back.

Despite this, Carter is the happiest she's ever been since she picked up a bow about a year ago.

"I just love archery," she said.

"It makes me feel quite in control and in a zen state.

"You really only need to use your upper body in archery so it was a perfect alternative for me."

Earlier this month, the Newcastle City Archers junior was crowned state champion for the first time at the NSW Short Course Archery titles when she won the female intermediate compound division.

It followed a strong performance at the National Archery Championship in Penrith in April, where Carter placed fourth in the target and field events.

This, in turn, placed her second in the state in those categories.

Carter maintained these rankings at the state and national indoor archery championships at Menai in July.

Although her figure skating days are behind her, Carter said those skills helped her in archery.

She said she was well-adjusted to making split-second corrections.

Carter trains every day except Mondays, at the old quarry in Waratah or at Maitland's Feral Archery Indoor Range.

Her short-term goals are to find a sponsor and make the state team for the 2016 National Youth Championship in March.

There are only a couple of state competitions left for her to collect the points she needs.