Dave Cousins settling into role as India’s compound head coach

In May, the national archery federation of India appointed USA’s Dave Cousins  as its chief compound coach.

It is the 49-year-old’s first international coaching appointment after a distinguished competitive career that included World Archery Championships titles in 1999 and 2003, as well as World Archery Field Championships, World Archery 3D Championships and World Games gold medals.

“India’s talent and depth are well documented,” said Cousins. “They’ve had a successful programme going on a 25-year run since its inception. So the biggest thing for me to do is not make sweeping changes.”

“To be instilled with that level of trust and oversight to be part of a programme that’s already well established is a tremendous honour.”

“It’s going to be an adjustment, learning how to correctly funnel my passion because I see them on the line and I still want to be there. But being in the position now to hopefully inspire someone else, or the next generation, to achieve their accomplishments, that’s fantastic. That’s all I want.”

His contract is understood to run through to the LA28 Olympic Games, where compound mixed team will make its Olympic debut.

The role is full-time and based at the national excellence centre in Sonipat, near Delhi, although Madrid 2026 – stage four of the Hyundai Archery World Cup – marks his first overseas assignment with the Indian team.

“A success for us [here in Madrid] would be being committing to the process, trusting the process, and continuing to build relationships between the athletes and coaching staff.”

“We’re going to be working on streamlining the entire process, developing and installing a programme from inception of an archer to world-class athlete, so that everybody’s on the same page. That’s a huge undertaking, and the majority of that work for me will happen off the field.”

India is now building towards the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, where it will defend compound titles across all five events, while also beginning its preparations to qualify two athletes for the LA28 Olympic Games.

Cousins is the second Western coach appointed by a major Asian archery nation this year, following Sergio Pagni’s appointment as head coach of Korea’s compound team.