Following your dreams can be hard enough when you have a young family and other life commitments to deal with, but when you add disability into the mix it can make things seem almost impossible.

2019 was my first archery tournament season, shooting a compound bow from a wheelchair. A CSSC grant enabled me to buy a scope, so I could see my arrows on the target, which can be up to 80 yards away. The grant also helped towards buying a tri-ride motorised wheel, which enables me to travel independently over rough ground. I compete primarily against able bodied archers, but I am also classified as an open compound category archer, so I can compete in para tournaments as well.  

It has been hard training at home during lockdown. I am clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID. Fortunately, archery is a naturally socially distanced sport and I have felt completely safe shooting at every venue I have been to this year, thanks to the volunteers making sure the guidelines were followed. It really felt wonderful being back outside, especially at my club, Thirsk Bowmen, in North Yorkshire.

Master Bowman

This year is my second tournament season. I pushed myself and competed for the first time at the Archery GB National tour against some of the best archers in the country. I’m proud to be a member of the Yorkshire County team and I achieved Master Bowman status (top 4% of archers in the UK). Throughout the year I broke several UK national records in the Open Compound category and winning Gold at the Civil Service Archery Association national outdoor championships was a highlight.

With the help from CSSC’s sponsorship and continued support from Custom Built Archery, coaches Nicky Hunt and Danny Cameron, The Worshipful Company of Fletchers, family and friends I hope to progress to Grand Master Bowman and one day represent my country. 

Get involved

Archery is an incredibly friendly and inclusive sport. If you’d like to have a go use the Archery GB website to find a club local to you.