2017 Autumn Archery UK MagazineCover

Official magazine of Archery GB

Cover teasers

World class: Disability Championship, Youth Festival and much more. Big Weekend 2017: it's our biggest yet. Get a fantastic deal with our partners Volvo. Archery Foundation: how you can help. Inside: what's new with you? All your latest regional news updates.

Cover photo credits:

Title: The Worshipful Company of Fletchers Disability Championships.Picture: Derek Sizeland.

Editor's letter

Welcome.

Wow what a summer. We have been inundated with news of achievements, smashed records and blistering performances both at home and abroad. To reflect this, we have bumper tournaments and performance sections and we take a closer look at the 2017 Youth Festival, the very first Worshipful Company of Fletchers Disability Championships, the National Series and, of course, another record breaker: our Big Weekend.

We also have reports on the BUCS outdoors plus all the latest from the regions, our partner Volvo, your pictures and plenty of timely advice from our experts.

It's officially autumn; but there's still plenty going on before the indoor season and we want to know about it. Send your stories and pictures to magazine@archerygb.org and we will do our best to get you into the next edition.

In the meantime, enjoy, and have a great autumn.

Jane PercivalEditor

Contents

4 News: Northern Counties6 News: Southern Counties9 News: Wales, EMAS, WMAS11 News: Scotland12 News: Northern Ireland14 News: General15 News: Obituaries16 Partner update17 Big Weekend18 History19 Juniors22 Field24 Clout25 Feature26 Performance34 Tournaments40 Experts50 Mailbag53 Universities54 Your Pictures

57 New Products60 Development63 Membership65 Board67 Disabilities70 Records and Achievements107 And Finally108 Sponsors

Separate documents

2017 Autumn Tournament Diary: Archery UK Magazine2017 Autumn Directory: Archery UK Magazine

Production information

Publisher

Produced on behalf of Archery GB by: TRMG Ltd, 1 Forum Place, Hatfield, Herts AL10 0RN. Tel: 01707 273 999. TRMG web site: www.trmg.co.uk .

Publishing Director: Jon FellowsOperations Director: Andrew StevensHead of Production: Charles DragazisProject Manager: Stefan GlosbyDesign: Dale PratleySenior Commercial Manager: Steve Chambers

Disclaimer

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, the organisers Archery GB and the publishers TRMG cannot accept liability for any statement or error contained herein © 2017.

Printing

The paper used for printing this magazine has been sourced from sustainably managed forests in accordance with the ISO 14001 and EMAS (Eco-Management and Audit Scheme) standards, which are internationally recognised and externally audited integrated environmental management systems.

Published for:

Archery GB, Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre, Newport, Shropshire TF10 9AT. Tel: 01952 677888. AGB web site: www.archerygb.org . Email: magazine@archerygb.org. See also the Directory document for individual staff contact details.

Correspondence

Correspondence with regard to Archery UK including mailing list queries and enquiries about advertising, should be addressed to Archery GB at the address above.

Copy deadline for the autumn edition:

16 October 2017.

AGB disclaimer

Archery UK is the Official Magazine of Archery GB and is read by all members. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, however caused. Letters, articles and features do not necessarily represent the opinion of Archery GB.

The decision whether or not to include material submitted for inclusion (whether advertising or otherwise) shall be entirely at the discretion of the Editor and/or the Marketing Manager. No responsibility can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork, editorial or advertising material in transmission or with the publishers or their agents, although every care will be taken to ensure safe return of items requested to be returned.

© 2017 Archery GB

News: Northern Counties

A new era: Cracking start after upheaval

After a year of uncertainty and upheaval, St George's Archery Club, Harrogate, is preparing to celebrate its 40th anniversary in a brand new home. It had been based at a school but had to make way for a new all-weather pitch. So the search was on; while still providing members with target and clout opportunities. And local landowner Lord Mowbray came to the rescue, offering a 20-year lease for a parcel of land on his farm at Allerton Park, near Knaresborough.

It took months of hard work to lay the foundations of what promises to be a first class archery venue but members were rewarded in July when the first shoot opened with a traditional Agincourt Volley.

One area that has not been neglected though is the club's community work. Members have been out and about at local fêtes and shows offering a taste of the sport to anyone who wants to have a go. The club scored a significant hit at the Northern Shooting Show in May providing archery for around 20,000 show visitors and will be at the Countryside Live show at the Great Yorkshire Showground next month.

An offer they couldn't refuse

When Burscough Archers were given the chance to improve their technique, 10 members could not resist the offer. Their reward? Expert coaching by four members of the Lancashire coaching group.

Even the weather was kind: dry and sunny with light winds creating the ideal conditions for coaching. It resulted in a stimulating, inspiring and instructive day which the participants later said exceeded all their expectations.

The aim of the coaches was to develop individual improvements, keeping the archers focused by giving them clear, structured guidance. And they came up with an easily understood plan to maintain and embed the newly-learned techniques so that they could build on what they had learned.

And if anyone needed proof of its effectiveness, one very recently-joined member managed his first six golds at 20 yards and then went on to get six golds at 30 yards on his first session after the event.

By public demand

When villagers in Lonsdale, North Yorkshire banded together to raise funds for a new sports pavilion, they knew exactly what they wanted: and archery was at the top of the list.

That was four years ago and in the following months they worked with Northern Archery to provide taster days. They proved a massive hit and the momentum for a village-based club grew. Six local people took out personal loans, secured grants and went on a fundraising drive which, last August, led to the launch of Lonsdale Archers.

Since then one experienced club member and a novice have qualified as Level 1 coaches, and are supported by two more very experienced archers in running club sessions. The club has run its first beginners' course as well as more taster sessions and a Big Weekend event.

Two members, Brian Lewis and Mark Christie, have had their first taste of competitions and the club is now hoping to grow to 30 members, including a strong junior section.

All loans have been paid off and the next step is to offer two beginners' courses each year and to prepare for its junior and senior championships.

News: Southern Counties

A £8,000 stunner: Club raises hospice cash (and even the mayor joins in)

Photo: Southampton's Mayor, Les Harris, takes aim.

When Claire Oakley died aged only 35, her father-in-law Martin knew that he wanted to do something to recognise those who cared for her through her final days.

So Martin, head coach at Southampton Archery Club, asked fellow members for help. They agreed to give all the charity donations raised during the rest of the year to the city’s Countess Mountbatten Hospice, where Claire spent her last two weeks.

But both Martin and the club wanted to do more, so he came up with the idea of a 24-hour shoot. The aim was to raise £1,000 at the event and £1,000 throughout the year.

They did slightly better than that. They raised £8,000 in one day.

More than 100 archers aged from eight to 73, gathered at the shoot, which was opened by the Mayor of Southampton, Les Harris, and Maggie Preston representing the hospice.

In total, more than 4,000 arrows were shot at a custom-made golden frame and target faces created by local schoolchildren, which included flashing LEDs and glow-in-the-dark paint.

Shooting times varied from one to eight hours and included all bow types; and three Robin Hoods.

Martin said: "Claire was a much-loved wife and mother to my two grandchildren. She was so brave right up till the end and we all still miss her. So I wanted to do something as a thank you to the hospice staff – they did a great job. And I am staggered by the generosity and commitment of the members in making this occasion such a success."

Club Chairman James Wilson added: "What better way is there to spend a day?"

Band of brothers

Gusty conditions led to some interesting scores and shots as Oakfield Archers hosted its 11th annual fun York longbow shoot. The tournament, next to Hainault Forest in Essex, began with the Agincourt address, delivered by Ian Crabbe, and the sound of a horn, blown by Brent Davies, the event organisers.

Then the archers got down to the serious work of shooting. Most managed to hit 100 yards. Some even managed to hit the gold. The first to achieve this was Peter Evans but, unfortunately, it was in the wrong target and Harry Grove managed to repeat the feat soon after.

After a quick banquet break, the archers managed to rattle off the 80 and 60 metre distances with enough time left to honour Joan and Tony Ikel for their tireless work for the club.

The top three finishers were Steve Morkus, Bob Attalia and Max Room who each received prizes.

A fresh angle: Can ancient skills improve modern performance?

What's the best way to give yourself the edge when it comes to archery? One way might be to study another form of the sport to see what lesson you can draw from it. Stephen Walker, a level two coach at Bromley Archery Club certainly thinks so.

He has been exploring kyudo, the ancient Japanese martial art of archery. It translates as the way of the bow and Stephen is convinced it is benefiting both his performance and his coaching.

He said: "The style of kyudo is dramatic to watch but there are many similarities with western archery. The main difference is that within kyudo no part of the shot sequence is

hurried or unconsidered, from the placing of the feet to the follow through. Everything has its own importance.

"The bow is drawn extended upright above head height and, from this position, full draw can only be achieved by engaging the correct back muscles. The nock of the arrow (ya) finishes past your ear. Once in full draw you can feel the stability of the posture almost compound in the way the powerful back muscles take all the strain away from your arms. The release comes from a groove in the glove when the fingers are rotated and the draw hand is flung backwards. If you have done everything correctly you will hear a pop as your arrow pierces the target, which is exactly 28 metres away, 36 centimetres in diameter and 10 centimetres off the floor.

"As the arrow is released, the bow spins around in the hand until it faces backwards. This is achieved by a remarkable technique called tenouchi and, apparently even after years of practice, the effect is very hard to master. The reason for the bow turning round is so the archer can grab the reins of his horse without the string getting in the way. Unbelievably the Samurai used to wield these enormous bows while at full gallop towards the enemy."

And he believes British archers can learn something from kyudo.

"How many times have you seen archers struggling with poor posture and unstable full draw? I coach 'never practice poor form' and I believe kyudo has much to offer. If every time you nocked an arrow you actually considered every part of your shot sequence from start to finish you would see an improvement.

"I'm now six months into my kyudo journey. I have gained my first grading, wear the funny costume and do my best to not look out of place. My recurve archery has improved in leaps and bounds and my understanding of kyudo has focused the way I coach, moving towards a holistic view of the shot and ignoring the score.

"Tenouchi is still a mystery; but I have seen it, so I know it's real."

Happy anniversary

Bowmen of Darenteford Archery Club celebrated a special milestone, and its new home, with a well-attended Ruby Anniversary National shoot.

It was the first chance for members to shoot officially at the new ground in Northfleet and there were specially created target faces for a short novelty shoot, 40th anniversary badges and a barbecue.

Right on target

When Alison Ward took part in her first wand shoot, the Mole Valley Clout and Wand Shoot in Leatherhead, Surrey, she was not expecting to do well. She could not have been more wrong.

Alison, a member of the Leaves Green Bowmen of Biggin Hill, Kent, scored four hits in one end at 80 yards with her longbow. And nobody was more surprised than her. In fact all her fellow competitors were so thrilled they insisted on recording the feat for posterity, and this is the result.

News: Wales, EMAS, WMAS

Matthew's mission: RAF veteran aims for Invictus glory

Matthew Neve of Perriswood Bowmen has been shooting for a year. Now he is in Toronto and about to compete in the Invictus Games. His mission? "To bring them medals home."

The RAF veteran served between 2001 and 2004. The things he saw while on deployment left him suffering from depression, PTSD and other mental illnesses.

The turning point came last year when he picked up a recurve bow for the first time. As well as being fun, he found that it helped to calm him, took away his stress and allowed him to focus purely on the target and where the arrow is going. Matthew joined Perriswood Bowmen and, coached by Brian Williams, quickly found his form.  After some intensive training, Matthew attended the Invictus Games trials. He came away with the highest score on the field and later found out he had been selected for the Games.

The immediate result has been a massive sense of achievement, meaning and self-worth. Matthew fully appreciates the way sports recovery has helped him and encourages anyone who is suffering mental or physical disabilities to have a go at archery or any other sport to find out how beneficial it can be.

Now we just have to see what impact he can have in Toronto

The best kind of battle

Wandering minstrels, Agincourt volleys, fancy dress, sunshine, food, drink and laughter, what more can you ask for when you are celebrating a battle?

Ninety archers took part in the inaugural Battle of Burton Bridge Tournament, shooting at larger than life targets, and many actually managed to build up decent scores. But one, the appointed King's Archer, Paul Garner, won a very special trophy for best score from the volleys and another, Richard Dennison was awarded the King's Purse of £50 for the best shot in the final volley.

Feedback from the event was so overwhelmingly positive that the club is going to do it all over again next year.

Even heroes can't resist

Have-a-go events bring people flocking; even, it seems, heroes and superheroes. Among those who could not resist having a go at a recent taster session hosted by Harworth Archers at a local school were firemen, Superman and Pikachu.

Just dropping in

It was a strange old week at Belvoir Archers once again. First the club had an unexpected visitor, a very oversized ladybird, as Sheila Worth was beating her husband David at its midsummer handicap shoot.

Then, a couple of days later, Nigel and Barbara Wood took a couple of strings out of the boss tie box and ended up with a lot more than they bargained for. After a couple of hours of untangling, Nigel said: "It is actually quite therapeutic."

News: Scotland

Spot the hot shots: Record entry at Transplant Games

A record number of entrants, 140, battled for archery glory as part of this year's multi-sport British Transplant Games in North Lanarkshire.

The aim of the Games is to celebrate the successes of transplant teams around the country and the lives they save, as well as honouring those who gave their organs by being transplant donors. And this year's entrants did not disappoint.

Competition was fierce among the experienced archers, with medals decided by two or three points. Then the beginners took to the line under the watchful eyes of coaches,

volunteers and Archery Sports Manager Kath Fitzpatrick. They shot at 10 metres at an 80cm face, with archers scoring a minimum of 18 arrows or 24 if they had the time.

Kath said: "All the competitors are out to have a good time and the coaches and judges made sure that they not only had fun but successful archery experiences too. Many asked about clubs they could join as they had enjoyed it so much.

"It was a mammoth organisational task. I would like to thank all the volunteers, organisers, sponsors and Scottish Archery which promoted the event and assisted with recruitment.

"Next year the games will be in Birmingham and the volunteer coach and judge list is already open. This is such an inspirational event and a great way to introduce some very deserving people to our sport."

A date with history

Blazing sun and windy conditions added to the challenges at Scotland's historic inter-county Pentangle shoot.

It was part of the two-day Penicuik Challenge and teams from the Scottish Archery eastern and northern areas and the Cumbria County Archery Association rose to the occasion, shooting a World Archery 1440 round. And there was a lot to shoot for. The overall team title was based on the cumulative score of the best three longbows, female recurves, female compounds, male recurves and male compound archers from each region.

Eastern Area almost managed a clean sweep of all categories but Cumbria won the male compound competition with a score of 3,811, just edging the Northern area archers who finished on 3,786.

News: Northern Ireland

Open to all: Clubs answer the challenge

Thirty-four archers from five clubs took part in the Archery NI Inter Club Championship and for some it was their first chance to be part of a major competition.

After a misty start the archers, from Ballyvally Archers, East Belfast, Lisburn City, Maiden City and Muckamore Company of Archers tackled 16 ends at a range of distances.

The format allowed the final totals to be reached from teams' best four scores from each of the morning and afternoon sessions. The scores of each archer were factored to account for their age, bow style, gender and distance shot. This allowed for teams with a wide spread of ages and abilities to shoot competitively, with archers ranging from primary school age to masters; as well as those fresh from beginners' courses.

Stiff breezes made shooting difficult but, once all the numbers were crunched, along with complementary crisps, Ballyvally's Angela Cowan, Romaine and Tom Mehaffey, Craig McCreery and Kim Pegrum were crowned champions. East Belfast's first and second teams completed the podium.

The best kind of buddy

More than 60 Ballyvally archers turned out to raise much-needed funds for the Buddy Bear Special School in Dungannon.

Brendan McConville, chairman of the school, which helps severely handicapped children, was among the guests, who included parents and pupils from the school. He shot the first arrow, and hit the target.

The shoot helped to boost the coffers of the school, which relies solely on fundraising to finance its teachers, assistants, and the upkeep of the building.

Both the club and the Buddy Bear School would like to thank everyone who shot or brought raffle prizes, club officials for organising the event and Molly Dunne and Sinead Byrne who organised a special knock out at the end.

News: General

Lynn's longbow first

When recurve archer Lynn Young tried her hand at longbow, that was it. She was hooked and all thoughts of going back to her recurve fell by the wayside. She wanted to try instinctive shooting but struggled until she received some expert tuition from Ann Conifey of Riverside Archers. Last year she achieved Master Bowman status. So when she heard that David McCullogh of Norton Archers was developing indoor longbow 'Blaze' classifications for the Durham and Northumberland Archery Association, she was intrigued. So intrigued that she took part in the county competition and was presented with the first ever Purple Blaze badge, equivalent to Grand Master Bowman, by County President Bill Lee.

Look what Julie did

Coach Julie Warren demonstrated grouping a little too accurately shooting at 50 metres at St Kingsmark Bowmen, Chepstow. It was her first Robin Hood and she damaged her own arrows, but she's still smiling.

Inclusive? Yes we are

Archery is for everybody, no matter what; and Austrey Archery Group proved more than up to the challenge when an unusual visitor arrived at one of its taster events.

The group, which shoots near Tamworth, has been busy all summer introducing the sport to the local community by holding regular have-a-go events. This one was at Thorpe Country Fair in Staffordshire and shows clearly that archery may be practised by people of all heights. It might help to aim a little lower though.

News: Obituaries

Derek Bellamy

Derek Bellamy, a founding member of Paddock Wood Archery Club, has passed away. He was the club treasurer from the start in 1994 until he stepped down in 2014.  He remained an active member however. He was the club's main coach and always on hand to help. He will be sadly missed by everyone.

Geoffrey Machin

Geoffrey Machin, a former Chairman and committee member at Old Basing Archers, has passed away, aged 80. The compound archer, who had been a member of Basingstoke Bowmen, helped to introduce an annual two-day record status shoot and the club's Western Challenge. His vast knowledge, experience help and excellent eye for detail will be greatly missed.

Martin McKenzie

Martin McKenzie, a longstanding member of the Valley Bowmen of Huddersfield, has passed away. He was a keen longbow archer and was last seen at the club enjoying a newly-acquired bow. His wife, Janice, and his adult children Martin, Hannah and David have offered to donate a bench in his memory to the club which they hope will offer a peaceful spot for new archers to sit and reflect. 

Partner update

Advertisement feature: A meaningful connection

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Big Weekend

The biggest yet: Fun in the sun at the Big Weekend

Every year clubs around the UK unite to dedicate one weekend to introducing as many members of the public to archery. Each year the Big Weekend gets bigger and better and 2017 was no exception as 94 clubs introduced more than 6,500 people to the sport.

Sunshine greeted visitors who joined Maiden City Archers in Derry, along with food and drinks. There was even a chance to take part in a coaching session delivered by the Director of coaching and performance for Archery NI, Damien Lennon.

Archery GB Chairman Mark Davies visited Guildford Archery Club and was more than impressed as he watched lots of people queueing to test their potential.

Bowmen of Walker provided the added temptation of a barbecue, but one of the best sights was watching member Rachel, who joined the club as a junior and is now a coach, helping the next generation get into archery.

It was the first time South Bucks Archers had taken part in the Big Weekend, which this year was supported by Volvo. And there were no regrets; they had a great day and so did the people who flocked to the event.

Bowmen of Backworth has an unusual claim to fame. It meets at Backworth Miners' Welfare; and that's licensed for marriages. So this year the club had perhaps the best-dressed participants as members of a wedding party took advantage of a lull in proceedings to have a go.

The Bowmen of Adel held its event at a local fair and quickly attracted the attention of Keith Galloway and Mitch Garbutt of Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club. Neither had tried archery before and both left with huge grins on their faces. The event generated lots of interest in beginner's course but, said organiser Nick Beeson, "the biggest pay-off was the sight of so many happy people who will remember the day they tried archery for a long time".

Glorious sunshine greeted visitors who took part in Harworth Archers' event while Marshland Archers successfully raised the club's profile in the community.

More than 150 people joined Bowmen of Warfield and many asked about signing up for beginners' courses. Bowmen of Rutland had a similar result, as did Caldy Bowmen and Eagle Bowman of Bedford.

Six Towns Company of Archers worked with its local Volvo dealership to introduce both the cars and the sport to the community while Louth and District Archery Club, Telford

archers, Greenbank Archers and Merdon Bowmen all had great days. And Bowmen of Warfield and Burleigh joined forces and introduced archery to 150 people in the community. A fantastic day with a true team spirit.

History

Meet the master: Clarence Hickman, 'father' of the modern bow

Arthur Credland is Archery GB's official historian, and he wants to hear from you. Contact him at historian@archerygb.org.

Photo: Hickman shooting his bow of 'Radical Design'.

The main claim to fame of Clarence N. Hickman (1889-1981) is probably his work in military science, including the development of recoilless rifles, and invention of the bazooka. He is, however, also widely recognised as the as the father of the modern bow.

Studying for his master's degree at Clark University, Massachusetts, he came under the tuition of US rocket pioneer Robert Goddard and joined him as a research assistant in 1918. But he had learned to shoot, native American-style, as a child and when he was recovering from tuberculosis later in life, he rediscovered archery. He turned his mind to understanding of the function of the bow and propulsion of the arrow.

In 1930 he was able to capture the Archer's Paradox on film. It showed how the impact of the string on the arrow causes it to curve around the bow stave and continue to oscillate as it flies towards the target.

Five years later he registered a patent for his bow of Radical Design which was claimed to be 100 per cent more efficient than the traditional longbow. It was a recurve bow of composite construction with a narrow cylindrical grip which reduced the degree to which the arrow had to bend and made it close to being centre-shot.

At full draw the limbs straightened so that the string made an angle of 90 degrees with the tips and allowed the use of a relatively long arrow with a bow of short limbs. This gave a

resultant gain in cast. He marketed Fortisan, a form of silk sheeting, as a backing material to wooden bows but, after the 1950s, this was replaced by fibreglass.

These composite bows are the ancestors of the bows now universally used in field, target and flight archery, the fibreglass has been replaced by carbon fibre. The original Hickman bow was of the take-down type enabling him to carry his bow conveniently in a case, a feature which later became a regular part of bow design. Archery, The Technical Side, published in 1947 by the National Field Archery Association of the USA, gathers together the key scientific papers on the theory, construction, use and performance of bows and arrows by Hickman, Forrest Nagler, and Paul E. Klopsteg.

Juniors

So much fun: Cracking start to Amy's outdoor career

Amy March has not been shooting for very long and this year took part in her very first outdoor tournament. She did not know quite what would happen.This is her story:

"As I stood on the line and drew into full draw, taking sight at the target, I should have felt like Katniss Everdeen or Robin Hood. In fact I felt more like a drowned rat. The May Day shoot at Fakenham Bowmen was my first official outdoor shoot and although there were disastrous winds and it started pouring with rain, I have never had so much fun.

"Six months ago my dad dragged me down to Wymondham Archers and I haven't looked back since. When I started it was the indoor season so the May Day shoot was my first outdoor competition. Although the weather was not that great, wind blew your arrows off target and made it impossible to aim, it made it even more fun.

"I was extremely nervous. I was mainly shooting 40 metres which I had only shot at about twice so had no idea how it would go. I shouldn't have worried. I came away with first in my category, top junior and an Archery GB award for a six gold end at 40 metres. I was amazed.

"Even without the awards I still would have loved the day. Everyone was so kind and made me laugh constantly. I had an amazing day which I will always remember. I am really looking forward to more outdoor shoots to come and hopefully returning next year for the May Day shoot. I can’t wait."

Worth the wait: Delight as team bags the win

When you haven't had any success for a while it can get, erm, a bit frustrating. So when you eventually do win, after 17 years, well you can see what it meant to Nottingham's juniors.

Each year they take on teams from Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire in the annual Sydney Bond Memorial Trophy shoot and, to be honest, they have not been very successful. But this year was different.

Sydney Bond, who ran the Sherwood Archery Club, died in the 1980s, and was a friend of Nottinghamshire coach Charlotte Attwood. So she and her club, Wilford Bowmen, offered free coaching to any junior from any Nottinghamshire club who wanted to improve. It paid immediate dividends.

Now she is hoping to build on this success to get Nottinghamshire back where it belongs; among the winners.

Rivals? Who? Us?

There's always a little bit of rivalry between sisters but after this year's JNOC, both Heike and Freya Palmer had plenty to smile about.

Freya won the National title for Metric 3 and finished fourth in the Bristol 3 while Heike was second at both Metric and Bristol 5.

Freya, who is on the National Age Group Academy and coached by Kieran Slater, said: "I had wanted to do archery but was really inspired by London 2012. I had to change to left handed after two years but since then I have gone from strength to strength.

"I always congratulate and support Heike, but I love it when I beat her. Even though we are at different distances, I always check our scores."

Heike, who is on the talent development programme, said: "I couldn't wait to start archery as my sister was already shooting and it looked really fun. I loved going to our club, Wyre Forest Company of Archers, even just to watch. I love to break county records, particularly Freya's. I cheer for my sister when she is doing head to heads but always try to get higher scores than she did at my age."

A successful partnership

During the past 18 months Invictus Bowmen has built up close links with Vivacity Disabled Archery and it is proving a successful partnership for two young talents.

Oliver Young and Cheyanne Ferreday began shooting with Vivacity but have now joined Invictus where they have been busy winning badges and certificates.

Nine-year-old Oliver, who likes the routines and structure of archery, became the club's first member to shoot at neighbouring Jolly Archers' outdoor tournament. It paid off when he came home carrying medals.

And Cheyanne is about to have a poem, Archery in America, published. She won a school competition and her acrostic poem, where the first or last letter of each line spell something out, talks about her dream of having the royal family watch her compete for Britain in the USA.

Medals all round

Congratulations to Noak Hill's Rhiannon Easton, Samuel Gulvin and Andrew Lock who put in a fantastic performance at the Havering Youth Games.

Rhiannon won the female recurve short national title while Andrew finished second in the boys' category.

Samuel, who had earlier broken the county record, took silver in the junior short national.

The Games finished with a one-arrow knockout and all three Noak Hill Archers reached the final round where the trophy was won by Samuel with a near perfect shot.

That's the way to do it

Meet Megan O'Connor. She has been shooting for about five months now and she has already claimed her first six-gold end badge.

It happened at the JNOC when the seven-year-old compounder also managed to score 1,160 points in her first Bristol 5. But she has had a little help. She tells everyone that she is taught by the best, her big brother Nathan Thomas.

First Robin Hood

This is 13-year-old Katie Tonkinson of Audco Archers, Shropshire, still smiling after shooting her first Robin Hood.

Field

Five medals: Brits put on a show at Euro championships

Britain's squad brought five medals home from the European Field Championships: two silvers and three bronzes.

Recurver Patrick Huston powered his way to a gold medal showdown with Marco Morello of Italy. They were evenly matched throughout but the Italian managed to edge two points ahead to take the title. Sophie Benton put on a cracking show to reach the barebow junior women's gold medal match, and it was close. There was only one point in it but Sweden's Sara Liljestrom edged the title 44 to 43. Italy's Natalia Trunfio beat Britain's Caoimhe Heeney to bronze.

Top seed Bryony Pitman lost out by one point in the recurve junior women's semis, so she was in no mood to go home empty-handed when she faced Slovenian Iva Rusjan in the battle for bronze. And there was no mercy as she chalked up a convincing 59 to 41 win to take the medal.

There was plenty of drama for Jason Meehan in his barebow bronze final as he and Germany's Michael Meyer finished their match tied on 50 points. That meant a shoot-off. The German scored three but Jason took the medal with a five.

Patrick, compounder Tapani Kalmaru and Jason also faced Sweden in the men's team bronze medal match. It came down to a single point, but it was enough to give Britain its first medal.

The 2017 British champions are:

Challenges were faced and overcome as archers gathered at for the 50th All British Open Field Championships hosted by Pentref Bowmen and incorporated the 15th junior championships.

This year's longbow champions are Alex Newnes and Beth Duthie. Richard Powell and Emily Williams won the senior American flatbow categories with Anna Catling taking the under 18s title. Owen Rawdin-Jones is the under 12s champion.

The 2017 barebow champions are: Jason Meehan and Jessica Nilsson (senior), Tom Mehaffey and Becky Chilcott (under 18s), Simon Hake and Amelia Thomas (under 15s).

The senior compound barebow titles went to Simon Price and Marion Patterson while Menna Williams took under 18s honours. Kevin Bridgman is the men's compound limited champion.

Matthew Arnold and Tracey Hill won the 2017 compound senior titles while under 18s honours went to Zachary Ball and Cyra Rawdin-Jones. Thomas Groom was the under 15s winner.

Olympians Patrick Huston and Naomi Folkard proved they are just as skilled in the field by taking the senior recurve titles. And junior honours went to Joe Fairburn (under 18s), Finnlay Barrett-Rees (under 15s) and Amy Pagan (under 12s).

Michaela Lake and Glenn Thompson won the traditional categories and Pentref's Ceri Thomas and John Davies took the trad team event. The top married couple were Stuart and Victoria Barby.

Deep in the hollows

Close to the real Watership Down and hidden in a fold in the Hampshire hills, something very important has been going on: the English Field Archery Championships.

Seventy-four archers took part in the tournament, which was hosted by Overton Black Arrows as part of its open field competition and the Hampshire Championships. Their ages ranged from under-15s to over-77s and between them they shot American flatbows, barebow, compound, compound barebow, traditional, recurve and longbows.

At the end of two days shooting in perfect weather and a stunning location the medals were presented. And there were special congratulations for Phoebe Rose who achieved a new national under-15s barebow record with a score of 570.

You can find all the results at Overton Black Arrows: www.overtonblackarrows.org .

Clout

What a result: Spectacular shooting and added drama

More than 80 archers lined up for Cumbria's two-day World Archery Clout competition and, for once, the weather was kind. But there was plenty going on.

There was drama when an archer had to be taken to hospital because of a leg injury sustained while gardening earlier in the week. He was released from hospital five days later. There was also some spectacular shooting leading to claims for nine UK records, four purple tassels, three red tassels, three blues and one white.

The leaders after the first day were recurvers Erin Mayer and Ray Chaplin, compounders Jane Lomas and Gareth Beeby, barebow archers Carol Fairbrother and Mick White and longbowers Nancy Ryder and Ian Stowell. The big question was where they would finish on day two.

In the end the winners were:

Recurve: Kath Hall and Danny Walsh. Compound: Jane Lomas and Paul Lomas. Barebow: Carol Fairbrother and Mick White. Longbow: Nancy Ryder and Ian Stowell.

There were also strong performances by juniors. Finlay Heydon won the overall junior recurve section, Bradley Ridpath took compound honours, Freddie Lear the barebow title and Matthew Foreman was the longbow champion.

And there was a special gift for Judge Karen Winsett, who was retiring after many years of devoted service to archery and Cumbria clout competitions.

Feature

Everyone's a winner

How to help the Archery Foundation, and yourself

Do you want to win guaranteed entry into all six stages of the 2018 Archery GB National Series? Then checking out the Archery Foundation's website might be a good idea.

It is holding a raffle to win the entry, given by Archery GB, at The archery Foundation: www.thearcheryfoundation.org.uk.

So what is the Archery Foundation?

It is a registered charity and it aims to help find and provide funding for projects to help all people enjoy archery. That includes the disabled, elderly, people with health issues and disadvantaged individuals and communities. Why? Because we are a sport for all.

The foundation is providing equipment for Hall Green School in Birmingham and Portland College in Mansfield to allow more of their students, who have a wide range of disabilities, to enjoy archery. It is also in talks with other groups and organisations to help them bring their projects to fruition.

It is now actively looking for supporters and volunteers to help raise funds and make people aware of its activities. If you are interested in helping, want to find out what kind of projects it supports, are looking for help, or want to donate any proceeds from club activities, you can get in touch via the website.

Among those who are already supporting the foundation are Deer Park Archers which holds raffles for the charity, St Kingsmark Bowmen which ran a have-a-go, Chippenham Archers, Muckamore Company of Archers and Restormel Company of Archers. Its patrons are Olympian Larry Godfrey and Paralympic silver medallist Mel Clarke.

Personal donations have come from Mrs D. Davies and from Trish Bridgeman after the sudden passing of her son Alex Bates, a modest and dignified young man who quietly supported various charities. Thanks also go to Graham Potts, Head Judge at the Rio Olympics and Hilda Gibson for giving memorabilia to auction.

If you want to help, you can make a donation through the Virgin moneygiving account on the Foundation's website.

Commercial supporters include Arrow Socks, The Archery Company, Clickers Archery, Merlin Archery, Quicks Archery, TRMG Ltd and Wales Archery. It has also received donations from Archery GB and the Agincourt 600 Fund.

So what is next for the Archery Foundation?

It will be holding another raffle at the National Indoor Championships; and there will be exciting prizes up for grabs. Last year it included an auction for Mike Schloesser's target face; the one on which he shot a perfect 600 at the Back to Back Tournament.

Performance

One to remember: Watch out for these future stars

The best of Britain's young archers, plus entrants from Ireland and the Netherlands, have helped make the 2017 Archery GB Youth Festival one to remember.

Friendships were forged and potential rivals sized up as more than 180 of the sport's brightest prospects took part in the week-long world record status competition. The aim was to give young archers the opportunity to compete in the international World Archery target format, including team and mixed team head to heads. But most of all, it was fun.

Individual finals brought the festival to a fitting climax, and there was plenty of drama in some hotly-contested matches.

The junior men's recurve title went to Dutch archer Nick Roos who beat Richard Birkby 6 to 2. And it took a shoot-off to decide bronze. Keith Hammond faced Morgan Donaldson. Keith shot an eight but Morgan hit the nine to take the medal. The women's title went to Tamara Mitchell with a 6 to 0 win over Lizzie Warner. Emily Bryant beat Eva Henderson-Hirst to bronze.

There was a tough battle for recurve cadet gold. In the end it went to Jacob Reid who beat Thomas Nairn 6 to 4. Alex Wise took bronze with a 6 to 4 win over Louis Perkins. And Alyssia Tromans-Ansell beat Louisa Piper into second place with the same scoreline.

The bronze went to Ruby Paul.

Imogen Newby retained her recurve cub title, beating Penny Healey 6 to 2. She said: "I'm so happy, ecstatic. It was close and Penny is such a great friend. I'm still shaking a little bit." The bronze medal went to Shaimaa Abdelhalim with a 6 to 0 victory over Leah Ferriday.

Harry Wright took the gold in the men's competition, defeating Samuel Birdsall 6 to 2. Joshua Smith won a shoot-off for bronze, scoring eight to Ryan Leathem's four.

Compound youth honours went to Jacob Caine with a 146 to 142 win over Kai Thomas-Prause while Lucy Mason beat Sarah Moon to the women's title. Adam Carpenter and Layla Annison claimed bronze.

In the team competitions, Richard Birkby, Keith Hammond and Adam Power beat Ryan Holden, Callum Platt and Nick Roos to recurve junior men's gold in a shoot-off. The women's champions are Leah Bannister, Eva Henderson-Hirst and Lauryn Jewkes who defeated Emily Bryant, Eugenia D'Arcy and Lizzie Warner.

Hayden Setchfield, Luke Stocks and Jonathan Tate defeated Oliver Buckingham, Will Maddison and Thomas Nairn in the final of the recurve cadet men's competition. A shoot-off decided the women's title with Nicole Burdett, Lucy Clarke and Thea Rogers gaining the advantage over Rhiannon Easton, Aspen Salisbury and Alyssia Tromans-Ansell.

Dru Ridding, Nathan Thomas and Matthew Wong took the gold in the compound youth men's category after defeating Jamie Harris, Liam Peake and Alexander Taylor. The women’s title went to Hallie Boulton, Iulia Petre and Abbie Spinks with a 222 to 195 win over Maddison Codling, Saffron Cullen and Sharon Murphy.

Penny Healey, Mollie Perrett and Harry Wright beat Ryan Leathem, Imogen Newby and Heike Palmer to gold in the recurve cub mixed gender team match. The mixed team title went to Imogen Newby and Joshua Smith who beat Samuel Birdsall and Heike Palmer.

In the tiered mixed teams competition, the champions are:

Recurve juniors. Tier 1: Keith Hammond and Nell Piper. Tier 2: Struan Caughey and Roisin Mooney. 

Recurve cadets: Tier 1: Louis Perkins and Louisa Piper. Tier 2: Molly McCormick and Monty Orton. Tier 3: Megan Costall and Joshua Smith.

Compound youth. Tier 1: James Howse and Sarah Moon. Tier 2: Finnlay Barrett-Rees and Sharon Murphy.

Another clean sweep: Classy women boost GB paras' medals haul

Britain's W1 women have once again proved they are at the top of their game with a spectacular clean sweep at the Para Archery European Cup world ranking event in Nove Mesto.

Jo Frith set the tone in the bronze medal match. She faced Korea's Kim Ok Geum. It was nip and tuck in a really tense match but Jo led all the way to claim a 131 to 130 win, and ensure British gold, silver and bronze.

It was the perfect scene-setter for the showdown between teammates Jess Stretton, who had earlier smashed her own world record, and Victoria Rumary. Both were determined to bag the gold and neither was prepared to give the other any chance. The result was inevitable: a 135 to 135 tie which forced a shoot-off. And both athletes shot a nine, but top seed Jess's arrow was marginally closer to the centre, giving her the medal.

There was more shoot-off drama in the men's compound gold medal match. John Walker faced Jere Forsberg of Finland and there was little to separate them as the advantage swung both one way and then the other. In the end both archers finished the match on 142 points, forcing the shoot-off. Fosberg hit the X but John's arrow strayed into the eight, earning him silver.

That brought Britain's medals total at the event to eight: two golds, four silvers and two bronzes.

Compounders Jodie Grinham, Phoebe Pine and Jess Stretton, who set a new European record earlier in the competition, were the top seeds and, after making short work of Ukraine, they faced second seeds Germany in the gold medal match. It was close, there were only two points in it, but our archers were in no mood to be denied and clinched the title with a 220 to 218 win.

Second seeds Nathan MacQueen, Bradley Stewart and John Walker, who had also set a new European record, breezed past Austria and Ukraine to secure their shot at gold. They faced top seeds Iran and came so close but in the end came away with silver.

There was silver too for Jess Stretton and John Cavanagh in the W1 mixed team final. The favourites took on Russia in the final and, although they shot well, Russia managed to pull four points ahead to claim gold.

John Walker and Phoebe Pine won a well-deserved bronze in the compound mixed team competition. The pair, who defeated Poland and France before being narrowly beaten by Iran, faced Slovakia in the final. And there was no stopping them as they stormed to a 147 to 144 win.

Plus, there were honours from an unofficial open mixed team trophy with teams made up of archers from different nations. Jess Stretton and Romania's Bogdan Raicu took gold in the W1 competition with Victoria Rumary and Peter Kinik In bronze spot. There was compound gold for Jodie Grinham, shooting with Malaysia's Hohd Zafi Mat Saleh and Hazel Chaisty took the recurve silver medal with Iran's Somayeh Rahimi Ghahderijani.

World Cup medal: Team brings home bling after long campaign

Britain's Lucy Mason, Hope Greenwood and Lucy O'Sullivan will be bringing home a little extra luggage when they return from the Hyundai Archery World Cup in Berlin: compound team silver medals.

There was no lack of drama as the trio, ranked ninth, battled American second seeds Cassidy Cox, Paige Gore and Lexi Keller. The teams tied the first end then the USA pulled four points ahead. Britain fought back in the third to come within one point of their rivals but a blistering performance by the Americans, 10, 10, 10, 9, X, 9, in the last end put the gold medal out of reach.

Lucy O'Sullivan later summed the occasion up when she told World Archery: "It was great. I found this is one of the funniest teams I have been on for so many years. The weather was awful today but we went out there to have fun and smile. We still have to choose our team for the World Championships, but we are hoping to better it in Mexico."

And recurvers Sarah Bettles, Naomi Folkard and Bryony Pitman came so close to achieving team bronze. They qualified in seventh spot, went head to head with Russia and tied the first two sets in tricky conditions. But then the fifth seeds won the third set 56 to 52 and the fourth 57 to 54 to clinch the medal.

British athletes came tantalisingly close to medals in the other stages of the competition too.

Olympians Patrick Huston and Naomi Folkard came within touching distance of success in the first leg in Shanghai while British athletes were involved in epic second stage battles in Antalya. Tom Wood and Ashe Morgan and Bryony Pitman each made it through to the last 16, only to be denied quarter-final places at the very last minute. The recurve mixed team of Patrick and Bryony were beaten by top seeds Chinese Taipei in the quarter final and the

men's team of Patrick, Ashe and Tom were denied a quarter final place by a shoot-off against Malaysia.

There were major upsets at the third leg of in Salt Lake City and Britain was at the heart of one of them. Twelfth seeds Tom Hall, Patrick Huston and Michael Judd defeated the Netherlands, ranked fifth, 6 to 0, to reach the quarter finals of the men's recurve team competition. There they met Malaysia, who had earlier knocked out highly-fancied USA. The hard-fought match ended in a shoot-off. Tom, Patrick and Michael shot 23, but Malaysia edged it.

Britain tops medals table: Spectacular results at European Youth Cup

Britain crowned a spectacular week at the European Youth Cup in Porec by topping the table with 12 medals: six golds, three silvers and three bronzes.

We started the competition in style as compounders Lucy Mason and Jake Walsh swept to cadet mixed team gold and juniors James Howse and Izzy Carpenter brought home bronze.

Then our teams blazed into action. Both cadet recurve teams hit gold, Louisa Piper, Thea Rogers and Alyssia Tromans-Ansell dominating the field to beat top seeds France and Jacob Reid, Jonathan Tate and Alex Wise claiming victory in a dramatic shoot-off against Russia.

Cadet compounders Adam Carpenter, Kai Thomas-Prause and Jake Walsh also took top honours, beating Belgium 222 to 212 while Layla Annison, Lucy Mason and Hollie Smith finished in silver spot, just edged out by Estonia. And there was bronze for junior women Izzy Carpenter, Rebecca Lennon and Sarah Moon.

And Britain finished in style, winning five individual medals.

There was always going to be an all-British showdown in the recurve men's cadet gold medal match after Alex Wise and Jacob Reid crushed all opposition in the eliminations. In the end it was Alex who took the honours with a hard-fought 7 to 3 win over Jacob.

There was gold too for Layla Annison. The second seed beat the top ranked Russian Elizaveta Koroleva by a single point to win the compound cadet title.

Bryony Pitman came with a hair's breadth of landing the junior recurve title. She faced Sylwia Zyzanska and, although she battled hard, in the end the Pole edged it, leaving her in silver medal spot.

And there was bronze for recurve cadet Louisa Piper who defeated Ukrainian Iryna Rusin 6 to 2 to take the medal. Cadet compounder Adam Carpenter almost added another bronze

but Liechtenstein’s Stefan Zacharias proved too powerful, winning 147 to 138 to take the honours.

All Britain's 32 athletes at the competition performed really well on an international stage, but they could not have achieved such a stunning result without sterling support behind the scenes. Archery GB would like to thank all the volunteers, clubs, judges, parents and coaches for their continued support, plus the team in Croatia. They included team manager Naomi Gibson, coaches Alberto Zagami, Naomi Folkard, Nicky Hunt, Jon Nott, Simon Scott and chaperone Cait Leach.

The perfect ambassador

Joshua Smith has autism; but it has never held him back when it comes to archery. Now the National Age Group Academy athlete has been recruited by Sport Birmingham to help on diversity days it is holding across the city. He was invited to Timberley Academy where he gave two presentations about how his condition was not going to stop him from achieving his archery ambitions and ran have-a-go sessions for all the students. The Academy was so impressed it has already ordered archery targets and equipment and has asked Josh if he will run a weekly archery club.

Selection and being internationally competitive 

Over the past decade Archery GB has had unparalleled success at a Paralympic level. This is down to a range of factors, not least the significant support that we receive from UK Sport. This investment enables us to run the World Class Programme and ensure athletes have access to outstanding support personnel and training environments to enable them to be among the best prepared in the world.

UK Sport's priority is to maximise the performance of UK athletes in the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the key milestone events which precede them. Success is measured by the medals won, the number of medallists developed and the quality of the

systems and processes in place to find and support the nation's most promising future champions.

In an attempt to be internationally competitive across all our programmes, our selection policies for World Championships, which are our key milestone events, are consistent with many other Olympic and Paralympic sports. The principle objective is to meet the agreed medal target objectives with UK Sport and the Archery GB board. There is one key milestone event for each year of the cycle which is identified in order to assess whether the programme is on target to deliver against its Tokyo medal target.

Behind the Olympics and Paralympics, World Championships are the pinnacle of the sport and as such the standard and demands on athletes are higher. This is why they are identified as key milestone events with UK Sport and the Archery GB board. The selection policy and subsequent process is therefore designed to benchmark the athletes against what it takes to medal at a World Championships so as to ascertain, on the weight of evidence, who is a probable medallist.

A medal focus on World Championship events is not a position unique to archery. Across the Olympic and Paralympic landscape this is commonplace, with sports required to demonstrate a return on UK Sport investment and provide confidence that it is on track to meet its objectives at the respective Games. It is therefore common for sports to not fill all quota spots if it is deemed that athletes are some way off a medal. To illustrate this in another sport; for para swimming, athletes are required to equal or better a qualifying time which is set at 1 per cent of the third placed time in the World Para Swimming rankings for each event and classification. Four national able-bodied champions did not make the Team GB Swim team for Rio as their performances were not close enough to being internationally competitive.

Key milestones

Each year for the key milestone event, a selection policy and process is published. For example, the process for the Para World Championships in Beijing was:

1. Athletes were invited to submit scores for consideration to be a part of Selection Shoot 1 in line with the minimum scores in the selection policy.

2. Those who were accepted in to the process attended Selection Shoot 1 as part of the National Series event at Surrey.

3. Following that, athletes were invited to Selection Shoot 2 meaning 11 athletes progressed to Selection Shoot 2.

4. Selection Shoot 2 was a standalone, closed event, that was run by Archery GB. The format was a finals style head to head event where all the athletes shot against the others within their categories. The scores they achieved at this shoot were then considered as part of the wider criteria in the selection policy.

5. After the second shoot, the selection panel met on Monday to agree who was chosen, in line with the selection policy. Chris Furber (Para Swim PD) was a part of the panel as an independent representative.

6. Athletes were informed of selection/non-selection on Tuesday and those not selected were directed to their right of appeal.

7. We received one appeal against selection which was referred to independent arbitration by the Sports Disputes Resolutions Panel as per our procedures. The selection panel's decision was upheld and the appeal was rejected.

On the back of this approach we have been successful across each of the programmes: the Paralympic team topped the medal table in Rio and is consistently delivering at major international events, the national recurve and compound programmes are becoming increasingly competitive internationally and the youth team recently topped the medal table at the Europeans.

World Games silver for Naomi

Four British archers travelled to Wroclaw, Poland, to compete in the 2017 World Games and one of them, Naomi Folkard, came home with a medal.

The defending recurve field champion powered to a place in the gold medal final, seeing off Jindriska Vaneckova of the Czech Republic, narrowly beating teammate Bryony Pitman in the pool rounds and defeating Austria's Laurence Baldauff in the semis. That put her in the gold medal match with top seed Lisa Unruh of Germany.

Naomi took the first two ends to build a four-point lead but then Unruh pulled back to tie the third. Both shot 13 in the fourth, forcing a shoot-off. In a truly dramatic finish, Unruh shot a five but Naomi's arrow strayed into the three, handing the German the title.

World Games debutant Mark Nesbitt made it into the second round of the recurve field pool competition but could not get past the Croatia's Matija Mihalic who finished the competition in fourth spot. And sixth seed Jessica Nilsson was edged out of the barebow competition despite putting up a spirited fight against France's on-form Eliette Lalouer.

Tough battles in Sardinia

Three British athletes travelled to Sardinia for the first stage of the European Para Archery Cup in Sardinia. They battled hard, but they were up against tough opposition.

John Cavanagh fought off a determined challenge by Italy's Demetrico Salvatore to land a place in the W1 quarter final. That brought him face to face with Omer Asik of Turkey. And there was no stopping the top seed. He won 127 to 118 and went on to secure a place in the gold medal final.

Compounder Carl Harding qualified in 15th spot and dominated Romanian Bogdan Raicu. Then he faced second seed Ivan Kozlov. He shot well but the Russian was on fine form and took the match 137 to 124.  And fifth seed Hazel Chaisty was denied a place in quarter final in a tense battle against Ukrainian Svitlana Shatkovska.

Tournaments

Something special: Young stars shine at JNOC

Records tumbled, six and three gold ends were shot and there was even a Robin Hood, but it was the smiles, excitement and a real sense of achievement that marked out the 2017 Junior National Outdoor Championships as something special.

Paralympic champion Jess Stretton demonstrated just why she is the world number one at the age of 17 by smashing three W1 world records before 11am on Saturday. Daniel Dace from Netherhall Archers managed to group a little too precisely, wrecking two of his arrows during sighters. And both days were peppered with calls about new national records as well as archers' achievements. More than 280 archers from 130 clubs competed in the Junior National Championships and the 2017 titles went to:

RecurveSamantha Roberts and Darragh Joyce (under 12s), Imogen Newby and Kian Watkins (under 14s), Hannah Rowley and Joe Fairburn (under 16s), Lizzie Warner and Alex Wise (under 18s). The recurve men's and women's titles went to Ryan Pinder and Louisa Piper.

CompoundMatilda Craven and Elliot Ede (under 12s), Hallie Boulton and Ajay Scott (under 14s), Jenny Bryan and Lewis Haslam, joint winner with Nathan Thomas, (under 16s), Ella Gibson and Matthew Wong (under 18s). The compound men's title went to Kai Thomas-Prause.

BarebowMeghan Robertson and Mikolaj Radosz (under 12s), Dylan Fyfe (under 14s), Eden Grundy and Thomas Oakley (under 16s), Becky Chilcott and James McKay (under 18s). The barebow men’s and women’s titles went to Harry Stew and Elisa Ball. 

LongbowAnja Rawlings (under 12s), Rosie Elliott and Samuel Kellett (under 14s), Rayelle Ennels-Smith (under 16s). The longbow men's title went to Samuel Homewood.

Round winners

On Saturday, our rising stars took part in world record status World Archery 1440 Star rounds and UK record status Metric rounds. The winners included:

Men's 1440: Ryan Pinder (recurve), Kai Thomas-Prause (compound), Samuel Homewood (longbow), Harry Stew (barebow).

Women's 1440: Lizzie Warner (recurve), Jessica Stretton (compound).

Metric 1: Alex Wise (recurve), Liam Peake (compound), Lukas Burton (barebow).

Metric 2: Jacob Reid (men's recurve), Nathan Thomas (men's compound), Sophie Castle (women's recurve), Ella Gibson (women's compound), Becky Chilcott (women's barebow)

Metric 3: Thomas Susca (men's recurve), Dru Ridding (men's compound), Samuel Kellett (men's longbow), Dylan Fyfe (men's barebow), Freya Palmer (women's recurve), Holly Clifford (women's compound), Rayelle Ennels-Smith (women's longbow), Eden Grundy (women's barebow).

Metric 4: Darragh Joyce (men's recurve), Elliot Ede (men's compound), Harvey Birdsall (men's barebow), Imogen Newby (women's recurve), Chloe A’Bear (women's compound), Rosie Elliott (women's longbow).

Metric 5: Samantha Roberts (women's recurve), Matilda Craven (women's compound), Anja Rawlings (women'’s longbow), Meghan Robertson (women's barebow).

Pure mastery: The crème de la crème are

The sun shone, records fell and the names of this year's UK Masters champions were unveiled after two days of tough competition.

The two days at Lilleshall included three competitions: qualification, head to heads and a World Archery 1440 round. The results from all three then decided the eventual titles and prizes. And they went to:

Women's recurve, Ogden Trophy: Sarah Bettles with Naomi Folkard second and Lisa Cooper third.

Men's recurve, Petty Trophy: Patrick Huston with Tom Hall second and Alex Smith third.

Women's compound, the White Rose silver salver: Sarah Prieels. Lucy O’Sullivan was second and Izzy Carpenter third.

Men's compound, the Red Rose silver salver: Tom Duncan with Daniel Tompkins second and Mark Rudd third.

Women's longbow: Sheila Hudson followed by Julie Cousins and Justine Canham.

Men's longbow: Cliff Gadd took the title ahead of Barry Du-Crow and Alex Newnes.

Women's barebow: Sarah Ruth Hubbard, followed by Karen Atkins.

Men's barebow: Steven Lancaster, ahead of Brett Stringer.

Naomi Folkard took all the recurve women's WA distance and long metric awards, while Patrick Huston took all but one of the men's. The Nettleton Cup for the highest 50 metre score went to Sonnie Emeney. Izzy Carpenter, Andrea Gales, Victoria Barby and Sarah Prieels took the compound women's trophies and the men's were shared between Tom Duncan, James Howse and Daniel Tompkins. Southern Counties won both the Petty Trophy Challenge, beating Northern Counties by 117 points and the Tankard for a mixed team of four compound archers. Izzy Carpenter, Sheila Hudson and Tania Nadarajah all broke UK records at the event, subject to ratification.

Head to head at Euronations

Archers gathering at Royal Navy South Coast Archers' ground at HMS Sultan for the 2017 European Commonwealth Archery Championships and Euronations were treated to a new experience: the inaugural English Archery Federation Series shoot. Fifty archers representing England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland took part in the European Commonwealth and Euronations competitions. The new champions are:

European Commonwealth: 

Recurve: Lisa Cooper (England) and Connor Hall (Northern Ireland).

Compound: Hope Greenwood (Scotland)and Carl Richards (England).

Euronations:

Recurve: Lisa Cooper (England) and Connor Hall (Northern Ireland)

Compound: Hope Greenwood (Scotland) and Carl Richards (England)

Recurve team: England women and Northern Ireland men

Compound team: Scotland women and England men

Compound combined team trophy: Scotland

Recurve combined team trophy: Northern Ireland

Overall combined team trophy: England

Nomads titles went to recurvers Pip Taylor and Sonnie Emeney and compounders Claudine Jennings and Darren Bennion.

Sixty archers also took part in the new federation series world record status shoot. The recurve WA 720 champions were Lisa Cooper and Scotland's Stuart Barby.  Compound honours went to Hope Greenwood and Tapani Kalmaru of Wales and the barebow champion was Llantarnam's Darren Cooke.

In the head to head competitions, recurve gold went to Kayleigh Baylis of Wales and England's Michael Judd. The compound winners were Scotland's Kirsty Robb and Harrison Ooi.

Showing how it's done: Stunning shooting at Junior Masters

Seventy of our finest young archers lined up at the 2017 Junior Masters in Oxford with only one goal on their minds: to be named champion of champions.

The format was simple: a 72-arrow ranking round followed by head to heads. It resulted in some spectacular shooting, particularly from barebow archer Lidia Stamp whose 549 in the under 12s' 30-metre ranking round smashed the UK record; by 101 points.

After a day of tough competition in blustery conditions the 2017 champion of champions were decided. They are:

Boys' recurve: Riley Spencer-Nice. Girls' recurve: Heike Palmer. Boys' barebow: Alfie Richards. Girls' barebow: Lidia Stamp. Boys' compound: Adam Carpenter. Girls' compound: Sarah Moon.

Tournament Organiser Nat Merry said: "The day went very well, with some very impressive scores posted despite the wind in the second half of the ranking round. It was great to see such professionalism and technical skill from our young archers.

"I have to thank Oxford Archers, and all the local clubs that provided helpers: Wallingford Castle, Oxfordshire Army Cadets, and Silver Arrow. Thanks also to our sponsors and suppliers and to assistant Tournament Organiser Chris Charlesworth. We look forward to seeing everyone back at Oxford for the Junior Masters in 2018."

Flight records smashed

Archers fought through flooding to be part of the 2017 National Flight Championships at Leeds Airport (East). They were rewarded with perfect conditions for smashing records; and smash them they did.

Tony Osborn of Pepperstock Archers set a new world record for a target recurve not exceeding 50lbs with a shot of 552.66 metres while junior Ryan Fallon set a new footbow record of 610.60 metres.

There were national records too. Tony Osborn claimed the target recurve honours with a shot of 604 yards, one foot two inches. Brian Todd of Whitburn Archers set two records: for crossbow with a shot of 653 yards and eight inches and for American longbow not exceeding 50lbs at 348 yards, one foot 11 inches. And junior Matthew Scrivens set a new American longbow unlimited record at 247 yards and seven inches.

The event also saw one of the furthest distances ever shot on UK soil as Tony Osborn shot an incredible 1034.57 metre with a 33 kilo compound flight bow.

Hot stuff at Dunster

It was the week the weather gods turned the heating on. Archers taking part in the 62nd Dunster Week basked in perfect conditions with a moderate breeze, apart from Thursday when the traditional Dunster wind blew.

But it was a chance to catch up with old friends, make new ones and to indulge in seven days of archery against the stunning backdrop of the National Trust-owned Dunster Castle in Somerset, or shoot field events at Allercott Farm. The week included clouts, field, Western, World Archery 1440, Albion and National rounds and ended with the Grand Western Archery Society Championships.

Kathryn Sartain smashed the UK longbow Albion record, a feat repeated by junior Charlie Nicholas who was shooting barebow double Hereford.The 2018 Dunster Week runs from 17 to 24 June and you can find this year's results at Grand Western Archery Society (GWAS): www.gwas.org.uk .

All eyes on: Birmingham for the 2017 National Series finals

Eastside City Park, right next to Millennium Point, Birmingham. That's the setting for the climax of one of 2017's most hotly contested competitions: The Archery GB National Series Grand Final.

The event, on 23 to 24 September, was happening as Archery UK went to press but the last eight in each category were:

Recurve

Gents: Tom Hall, Ashe Morgan, Patrick Huston, Alex Wise, David Timmins, Michael Judd, Jack Masefield, Keith Harding.

Ladies: Sarah Bettles, Johanna Meyer, Lizzie Warner, Bryony Pitman, Naomi Folkard, Sally Gilder, Jaspreet Sagoo, Sarah Smith.

Compound

Gents: Adam Ravenscroft, James Howell, James Mason, Chris White, Simon Froggatt, Daniel Tompkins, Carl Richards, Michael Kells.

Ladies: Lizzie Foster, Lucy Mason, Lucy O'Sullivan, Abbie Spinks, Nat Merry, Susan Corless, Sarah Prieels, Daisy Clark.

How they got there

Securing that place was no easy task for any of the finalists, even if Lizzie Foster did dominate the women's compound competition, winning four of the six stages to secure her place at the top of the rankings. After staking her claim by winning the first two stages, she consolidated her position at the home of Bronte Archers by taking the stage 5 and 6 titles as well.

Susan Corless hit unstoppable form at Kingston University to take the stage 3 honours while Hope Greenwood secured a stage 4 win in a dramatic shoot-off against Nat Merry.

In the men's compound competition, Carl Richards and James Mason took the first two stages, hosted by Evesham Archers. Daniel Tompkins claimed stage 3 with a 147 to 142 win over James Mason and Chris White took stage 4 after a shoot-off against Adam Ravenscroft, who then went on to win stage 5. The final title went to Simon Froggatt.

Sarah Bettles proved a major force in the recurve women's competition with victory in stages 2, 3 and 4. Johanna Meyer took stage 1 while Naomi Folkard and Bryony Pitman, back from international duty, claimed the final two titles.Recurver Ashe Morgan claimed two wins along the way, stages 2 and 3, after David Timmins had taken first blood. Patrick Huston took the fourth and the fifth went to Alex Wise after a shoot-off against Tom Hall, who then went on to claim the final victory.

GNAM: the latest chapter

Glorious weather combined with the chance to write the latest chapter in one of British archery's most historic competitions brought archers flocking to the 163rd Grand National Archery Meeting.

The GNAM was first shot in York in 1844 but Lilleshall is now the regular host, allowing some of Britain's best to shoot UK record status Rose York, Hereford and National rounds plus a UK record status long National round over three days.

The Spedding Challenge Cup for the highest aggregate score with a recurve or wood bow over three days went to Shelly Hurst of Bronte Archers and the top handicap day awards went to Tina Grace of the Wight Bowmen Archery Club and Sterphen Williams of the Longbow Club.

Double Hereford basic score titles went to: Shelley Hurst (recurve), Sophie Twigg (longbow), Sharon Tideswell (compound), Tina Grace (barebow).

Double York basic score titles went to: Neil Crickmore (recurve), Robert Twigg (longbow), Julian Pretlove (compound), John Jones (barebow).

You can find all the results and trophy winners on the Archery GB website under Compete>National Tournaments.

Experts: Welcome to Archery UK's Advice Zone

If you have any questions, this is the place to be.

In every issue our experts are on hand to give recurve, compound, barebow and longbow advice. So if you want to know something, email your question to magazine@archerygb.org and we will pass it on to our experts.

Do your homework: Compound star Lucy O'Sullivan offers some top tips on designing your archery-focused gym programme

One of the best things you can do at home this autumn as the days get darker, is blank boss shooting. Even if you have a little target two metres away in your bedroom, it is one of the easiest ways to keep your arrow count up while working on technique.

However, if you are looking for some strength exercises that you can practice this autumn and winter, it can be as easy as sitting down watching TV and practising your internal and external rotations. You can do this holding a tin of beans or soup, a resistance band or a

light weight. Practice internal and external rotations for 30s to start, and then work up to a heavier weight; or increase the time, a whole advert per arm for example.

For more advice go to: @LucyOSullivanArchery. 

Thanks to link4life.org and to Alice Hadcroft for their help with images in the following sections.

External rotation

Figure 1: Starting position. With weight or resistance band in one hand, fold that arm at the elbow across the front of your waist while keeping the elbow tucked into the side of your body.

Figure 2: End position. Keeping the elbow tucked into the body, and your forearm parallel to the floor, rotate your arm forward so that you make a 90 degree arc. Your hand should now be in front of your elbow.

Internal rotation

Figure 3: Starting position. With weight or resistance band in one hand, and your elbow tucked into your side, bend your elbow so that your hand is in front of it and your forearm is parallel to the floor.

Figure 4: End position. Keeping the elbow tucked into your body and your forearm parallel to the floor, rotate your arm in a 90 degrees arc across your waist. Your hand should now be in the starting position for the external rotations.

Leg exercises

Some other great sofa exercises are single leg or double leg squats, make this exercise harder by just touching the sofa and standing up straight away. Try not to use your arms at all to help you get up.

Figure 5: Squats. Lucy demonstrating the lowest part of the squat. Her bottom is barely touching the seat.

Another exercise for your legs includes rear foot elevated split squat, if this is too hard however, then just do ordinary split squats or lunges on the floor.

Figure 6: Starting position. Stand with one leg slightly bent and the other pointing behind you so that the top of that foot is resting on a raised bench.

Figure 7: End position. Dip both knees as low as you can go.

Arm exercises

More arm exercises you can practice would be over head presses, or straight arm holds, again challenge yourself to increase the time you hold your arms out to the side or increase the weight.

Overhead presses

Figure 8: Starting position. With a weight in each hand, both upper arms parallel to the floor and to the sides of your body, bend your elbows at 90 degrees so that your hands are at head height.

Figure 9: End position. Extend your arms straight upwards so that your hands end up above your head.

Side straight-arm hold

Figure 10: Starting position. With weight in each hand, arms by your sides rotate your wrist so that your thumbs are at the front of your hand.

Figure 11: End position. Keeping your arms straight; lift your arms up and out sideways so that your hands end up at shoulder height.

Front straight-arm hold

Figure 12: Starting position. With weight in each hand, arms by your sides rotate your wrist so that the backs of your hands are facing forward.

Figure 13: End position. Keeping your arms straight; lift your arms up forwards so that your hands end up in front of you at shoulder height.

Planks

One more exercise you can do in your living room would be the plank it is incredible for your core muscles, not just your abs, so your back shoulders and arms get a full work out. Practice different types of planks to make this harder.

Figure 14: Straight-arm plank. Lie face down on the floor. Your weight is on your toes and hands (arms are straight) so that your body is off the floor. Keep your back flat, pull your shoulder blades together and keep the ribs tucked towards your hips (brace the core).

Figure 15: Bent-arm plank. Lie face down on the floor. Your weight is on your toes and forearms (arms are underneath your body, with hands clasped), so that your body is off the floor. Keep your back flat, pull your shoulder blades together and keep the ribs tucked towards your hips (brace the core).

Back to basics: Embrace variety with the help of nutrition expert Jackie Wilkinson

When I'm out in the woods on a field shoot I’m usually picking something to eat, much to the surprise of my companions. If they pluck up courage to accept a taste, they marvel at the citrus freshness of young wood-sorrel leaves and the sweet nectar you can suck from the base of red clover flowers. 

I can often be seen chewing on the stems of sorrel or wild grasses. Later in the summer, some woods will have wild strawberries and raspberries too. Come the autumn it's time for blackberries and bilberries (which put blueberries in the shade, both as a super food and for intensity of flavour). These deserve a dedicated collecting trip. A couple of bags in the freezer lasts for months as a topping for Greek yoghurt at breakfast or the magic ingredient in a lilac smoothie.

Your body thrives on variety. So with 75 per cent of the world's food provided by just 12 plants and five animal species, it's no wonder that food allergies, intolerances and digestive difficulties are increasing.

Urban lifestyles and screen addiction mean that few children can name trees and flowers and don't know what can be eaten and, most importantly, what's poisonous and shouldn''t be touched. Richard Louv (author of Last Child in the Woods) named it 'nature-deficient disorder'.

Although I've read more about foraging in recent years, I learned most of what I know as a child out with my parents and grandparents. And we were always picking something for wine making including sticky dandelions, delicate gorse petals (ouch) and foamy white heads of elderflower. In the war our grandparents put dandelion leaves in salad, perhaps with the resurgence of stronger tasting leaves like rocket, today's generation would again find them appealing. Try it. You might like it.

Top tip: Teach your grandchildren what you know.

Find more advice from Jackie Wilson's Nutrition Coaching website: www.learntoeatwell.co.uk.

Ask the experts: Questions and Answers

Compound

European compound field champion Duncan Busby is here to help with queries on form, equipment and technique.

Which bow should I get?

Q I have just completed my beginner's course and I've chosen to take up compound archery. I've been advised to get an adjustable bow until my draw length settles in but I'd like to use competition level equipment as soon as possible, what bow do you suggest I get?

A Buying your first bow can seem daunting and confusing with so many different models on offer all boasting different technologies and benefits. The most important factor to consider when choosing a bow is how well it fits you. Shooting with the correct draw length and poundage will make it easier to develop correct shooting form and will help prevent injury.

Many compound bows have a fixed or modular draw length adjustment, which means you will either need to change the cams or cam modules to go up or down in draw length, so it can get costly if you are unsure about your fitment. It is important to choose one that will grow with you as your form and strength develops.

Several manufacturers now offer competition level equipment with a good range of draw length adjustment already built in. This doesn't mean you'll have to settle for low quality as a lot of companies include this feature on their flagship models, offering draw length adjustments of up to 5.5in on a single cam or module choice.

Most compounds will also enable you to reduce the draw weight of the bow by up to 10lbs from peak weight. Make sure your choice allows you to begin shooting with a sensible poundage before you even attempt to pull the maximum competition limit of 60lbs.

Your beginner's course should have given you a good idea of what draw length and weight you need. Invest in a bow that allows you to make adjustments either side of these so you can fine tune your shooting as your form and strength develop. And choose the highest quality competition equipment you can afford, so it will grow with you and serve you well for years.

Back tension: what am I doing wrong?

Q I made a big commitment to shoot with a back tension release aid and it seemed to be going really well and my shot settled in after only a few weeks. But I now find I can't cope if there's even a breath of wind. When I get blown around a lot I can't get the shot to break, it's really demoralising especially having spent so long working on it. What am I doing wrong? 

A Most back tension shooters will experience this at some point. Basically you are hanging up on your shot because your sight is moving around the target. Your mind is telling you that it is not possible to hit the middle of the target while your sight is moving and it causes you to tense up.

It can be solved but you need practice and trust in your form. Go back to blank boss shooting to get the feel and flow of your shot back without the added complication of aiming. This will help to build your confidence and your muscle memory.

Work on your mental discipline. When shooting in the wind stop trying to control your aim, look at the centre of the target but allow your sight to move around without fighting it. If you are constantly looking at the centre of the target your sight will always go back to this point.

The secret to a clean and easy shot execution in the wind is a quick release. Your sight will be fairly well centred during the first few seconds of your shot so make this time count. The longer you spend the tenser you will become and the harder it will be to make the shot.

You may still make a bad shot but that will be far outweighed by the percentage of well executed releases that hit the centre of the target. But don't rush it. A forced release will never be as accurate.

If it is taking too long, draw down and start again. Remember that your release should be strong and confident whether you're shooting in calm or windy weather.

With a bit of patience and confidence you will find shooting a back tension will be just as easy as shooting with a trigger. 

Further reading

You can find more advice at Duncan Busby Archery: www.duncanbusbyarchery.com.

Recurve

Olympian Patrick Huston answers your recurve questions.

What’s the right split?

Q What split do you recommend between blank boss and aimed target and does this vary coming up to competition?

A This will vary from archer to archer. Blank boss is a very useful tool for building technique and form without the stress and distraction of aiming. I would pretty much recommend you shoot blank boss for this technique work and for increasing arrow volumes when you feel you need to shoot more arrows in a short period of time.

Coming up to a competition I would definitely taper off the blank boss and work towards scoring rounds at the distance you are going to be shooting. After all we should be practising what we are going to compete; and that's not blank boss. 

Clicker transition

Q When is the best time to start using a clicker; and what's the best way to transition?

A I would wholeheartedly recommend that every recurve archer uses a clicker. The important thing is to train yourself to shoot instantaneously when the clicker drops. I would recommend going to a short distance boss and training your reflexive reaction to the clicker dropping. You want to set up to full draw with about 5mm in front of the clicker and then expand from the rear arm and front arm through the shot. When the clicker falls you let go straight away (very important). Spend a while doing this, maybe a week or more to really ingrain it into your shot. This way, when you start shooting at a target you have already programmed the response to let loose the arrows rather than worrying the sight is not on the middle when it clicks.

Coping with the British weather

Q In wet and/or windy conditions do you keep adjusting your sights or do you aim off to deal with challenging weather?

A I leave my sight centred for calm weather as much as I can. Given our climate we can very rarely rely on the weather being consistent. I have frequently known the wind to change directions entirely or gust up and down in a day. If I adjust my sight for the wind then I have many more calculations to do when it changes, giving more opportunities to lose points due to conditions.

Further reading

You can find more advice at Patrick Huston: www. patrickhuston.com .

Mail bag

Submissions

Write to: Mailbag, Archery UK magazine, Archery GB, Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre, Newport, Shropshire TF10 9AT

Email: magazine@archerygb.org

Please note we cannot print letters sent to us without a name and address or an email address (although we can withhold the address if you wish). Letters may be edited for publication. Please try to keep them to 250 words if possible. Letters containing personal attacks will not be published.

Star Letter

Prize

An IS 60 R 15-45x60 scope by Opticron. Look out for some special offers on the Opticron IS R scope range. For more details visit the Opticron website: http://www.opticron.co.uk/.

Our prize is worth over £270.

Archery is pure gold

I am writing to say how thrilled I am that my family and I have discovered archery. It was our son, Joseph, who initially expressed an interest in the sport but when my husband accompanied him on his beginners' course, he soon found himself participating too. My daughter and I have recently completed our beginners' course and so now we may be spotted, en famille, lining up along the shooting line, trying, and sometimes succeeding, to gain that all important 252.

In an age where screens and devices of various descriptions dominate and young people cannot imagine a world without wi-fi, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to spend time together, outside being active and taking part in a sport which is not only all inclusive but pots of fun.

I would also like to thank the Bowmen of Glen Archery Society for making us all feel welcome and for all of the superb help and support we regularly benefit from. I do not know how we will progress, or how many golds we might manage to achieve, but archery has given us a precious bubble of time together, something shared, something apart from whatever little stresses may be lurking in our heads.  And that, for me, and I think, for all of us, is pure gold in itself.

Stacey Chamberlain, Bowmen of Glen Archery Society

Other letters

Thank you Tony

Like a lot of us, I discovered archery late in life after taking my son to his local club, Killingworth Archers. It wasn't long before I noticed that while some members did not want to help, others seem to be everywhere doing their bit to support the club.

We have a human dynamo in our club by the name of Tony George. He shoots every chance he can indoors but not that often outdoors. Yet he is at all of our competitions, making sure bosses are good to go and remain in good order and with a strange ability to find elusive lost arrows. He is on the go from start to finish and in between. While most would be resting during ends, you will find him either controlling the lights, timers or in our container creating or improving something archery-related.

Often I have turned up at the field for a session to find him carrying out repairs or line marking without even stopping to do a bit of shooting. If he is not doing work at our club he is away supporting his wife, Helen George, down at Lilleshall or some other location.

We have others who regularly volunteer but Tony is just there. It will be a big wake-up call for a many when he decides to say enough is enough. It will take several of them to replace him.

I just wanted to say thank you Tony.

Andy Waddle, Killingworth Archers

Editor writes:

If you want to recognise and reward dedicated volunteers, why not nominate them for one of Archery GB's awards? Check out the Membership: nomination time, of this edition to find out more.

Which boss is best?

There is much written about different types of equipment within your magazine and the reviews of new equipment are really helpful. There does however seem to be a gap in the information and I think it is one of the most important pieces of equipment that we have.

I have never seen anything which looks at the various types of boss which are now available. There is one advert for straw targets but not much else about bosses. From looking at the photographs in the latest edition of the magazine, it would seem that straw bosses are still in use along with layered and one piece bosses. What, however, are the advantages and disadvantages of each one? Can the same stands be used for all of them or would different ones need to be purchased if you switch from one sort to another? How cost effective is each sort?

I appreciate that there are many variables but maybe there is scope for some analysis being done and reported back to assist clubs in the purchase of this significant piece of equipment? The guidance might also mean that clubs have something to base their choice on rather than doing it on basically a trial-and-error basis which may end up costing the club a lot of time and money to get the bosses ready for shooting.

Andrew Checkley, South Leeds Archers

Editor writes:

Great point. We will get somebody on the case and, hopefully, publish something in the next edition.

Can we speed things up?

I shot a 1440 the other week, it was a hot sunny day but with the usual challenges of the wind blowing about a bit.

Practice started at 8.30am. Despite having a reduced lunch break, the final whistle didn't go till nearly 6.30pm; 10 hours later. By this time archers were anxiously clock-watching as many faced long journeys and work the next day. Quite a number left before the results were published or the awards given.

Last year I was lucky enough to be invited to the Masters where there were three people per target shooting in one detail. We didn't change to shoot in threes at 50 and 30 metres but kept going in sixes. The round was completed just after 3pm which was great as it had been a very hot day. It prevented competitors suffering from the heat, and everyone was able to hit the road much earlier.

I appreciate that shooting three per detail would reduce the number of spaces available at a shoot, but the speed in which the round could be completed would be a great advantage. All bow types were catered for at the Masters with target faces as necessary to reduce the risk of arrow damage at the closer distances. Participants suffered less in the heat and everyone went home at a reasonable hour. Bearing in mind that most people have to work on a Monday, why aren't more 1440s run in the same way as the Masters?

Carrie Mortimore

Why change handicaps?

I was disappointed to read that the handicap tables are to be changed. David Lane's formulae have served us well for 22 years and work very well. They measure accuracy achieved based on angular deviation and the tables are reproducible using his formulae.

The existing system is used as a reliable measure of progress by those that have taken the trouble to understand it. It does not seem to me to be a good use of resources to change something that is not broken.

David Price

Target Chairman writes:

There had not been a review of the tables for about 10 years. Updates were required to sort out some anomalies which currently sit the tables. In addition, the process will allow for handicap tables to be reviewed on more frequent basis and, in time, it will allow us to produce tables to better suit our disability and VI archers.

Universities

Student showdown: Spectacular shooting at BUCS outdoors

Two hundred and sixty students from 42 universities and colleges went into battle at the BUCS outdoor championships at Lilleshall; and it resulted in spectacular shooting, as well as broken records.

The event was split into the championships and a head to head the following day. Edinburgh's teams topped both the men's non-compound and the compound championship titles, with Birmingham edging them out of top place in the women'’s competition. The novice title went to Warwick.

The recurve champions were Edinburgh's Vlado Hurban and Jaspreet Sagoo, who matched the men's score to take her third BUCS title. The compound crowns went to Staffordshire's Andrew Brooks and Sarah Prieels of Edinburgh while Bath's Paul Cobee and Exeter'’s Suzannah Boardman are the barebow champions. Longbow honours went to Aberystwyth students Alex Newnes and Beth Duthie.

In the novice categories, the top recurvers were Warwick's Sam Armstrong and Sarah Allaway, Nottingham's Zhen Yuan Liew took compound honours while the barebow titles went to William Croydon of Loughborough and Aberystwyth's Helen Scharf. The longbow champion is Southampton's Hamish Woodland.

There was plenty of drama in the head to head event too. After topping the medals list at the championship, Edinburgh also managed it on day two; just. Pip Tucknott contributed open

compound gold, with Johanna Meyer and Guy Matzkin adding recurve titles and Edward Pike longbow silver, beaten by Aberystwyth's Alex Newnes. Bath's Paul Cobee and Anna Blanchard picked up the barebow titles.

You can find out more at British universities and Colleges Sport: www.bucs.org.uk and all the results are available at Ianseo: www.ianseo.net . 

World Student Games: So close

Six British students travelled to the 2017 World Student Games in Chinese Taipei in search of medals but, despite solid performances, it was a case of so close yet so far.

Recurvers Tom Hall, Jack Masefield and Ashe Morgan were thwarted in the team competition by sixth seeds Mexico while compounders Hope Greenwood, Andrew Brooks and Rebecca Blewett lost to top seeds Korea.

In the individual competitions, compounder Hope, a student at the University of Edinburgh, reached the last 32 but was edged out by Alexandra Savenkova who had earlier defeated Nottingham University's Rebecca. Staffordshire student Andrew was denied a place in the last 32 by Mexico's Antonio Hidalgo Ibarra.

Edinburgh's Sarah Prieels, shooting for Belgium, reached the quarter finals where she was narrowly defeated by top seed So Chaewon of Korea.

Both Warwick's Tom Hall and Birmingham student Ashe Morgan's dreams of an individual recurve title ended in shoot-offs, while a spirited performance by Derby's Jack Masefield just failed to pay off.

And Hope and Andrew's mixed team ambitions were thwarted by hosts Chinese Taipei.

Your Pictures

Silly faces, portraits, moody silhouettes and unseasonal weather have inspired the photographers among you over the summer. And we even have a compilation of shots.

If you want to see your handiwork displayed in Archery UK, it couldn't be easier. Simply send your photograph – it must be in jpg format, high resolution and at least 1MB – with details of where you took it to magazine@archerygb.org.

Full draw

Archers frozen in time inspired Steph Roy of Crowthorne Archery Club, Berkshire.

And the winner is

Malcolm Rees caught onlookers Margaret Harris, Hazel Chaisty, Mel Clarke and Richard Hennahane pulling silly faces at the Worshipful Company of Fletchers Disability Championships.

BUCS silhouette

Milly Williams caught a stunning silhouette at this summer's BUCS Championships.

Rain or shine

The vagaries of Britain's summer weather were snapped by Frances Bull.

Deep in thought

Jen Weston captured a thoughtful moment at the Junior Masters. (J & S Shoot Photography.)

Frozen in time

Archers frozen in time inspired Joe McDonald of Robins Reach Archery.

Arrow compilation

And finally, an arrow-themed compilation thanks to John Raffin.

New Products

PerfeX Resistance release aid

Introduced by Stan to go with its PerfeX Platform, which was first introduced with a thumb style release aid. This is the resistance activated version.

For more information, go to Stanalawski: www.ishootastan.com.Costs: Around £200.

Last Chance Pro parts kit 

Three box set loaded with 440 screws, bolts, stabiliser studs, washers, cam spacers, e-clips, bolt spacers and a guide telling you the exact size, and name, of each part.

Available from Last Chance Archer: lastchancearchery.com.Costs: Around £200.

Shrewd mini mag scope

Allows for a lens to be run either side of the scope. Comes with spare bubbles and a variety of optional sunshades can be threaded into the front and rear.

Available from Wales Archery: walesarchery.com.Costs: £58.

The KG Falcon

New bow from KG. Unwinds smoothly to full draw producing incredible energy. Pistol type grip puts bow hand in correct position for maximum comfort and control.

Available from K G Archery: kgarchery.com.Costs: £540.

Shrewd sun shade

Can be angled to whatever the archer requires to block unwanted sun glare. Comes in a variety of colours.

Available from Wales Archery: walesarchery.com.Costs: £15.

Egertec target pin

Wider, longer and more durable than similar pins. Easier to retrieve and shatters when hit, leaving arrows undamaged. Great for all targets. 50mm long, 5mm wide, 15mm round head.

Available at Egertec Targets: www.egertectargets.co.uk.Costs: £18 for 100.

Meet the winner

Congratulations to Alec Thomas of Cleve Archers. He's just received his brand new Halon X Comp bow courtesy of Mathews, Clickers and Archery UK. His name was first out of the hat

in our fantastic summer issue competition. And he couldn't be more pleased. "I just can't wait to shoot it," he said. "It looks and feels amazing."

Development

Good for the soul: Added benefit of being a sports club member

It's official. As well as making you fitter, being an active member of a sports club has a positive effect upon mental health. A recent study by scientists and the Austrian Federal Sports Organisation shows that sports club membership helps to stop young people going down the wrong path and helps people be generally (more) content with their lives. Why? Because it is fun and provides socialisation which, in turn, leads to more regular sporting activities. The health benefits were observed in all age groups and in both genders.

The report says social aspects and the positive impact upon health are often underestimated. Often sports clubs and National Governing Bodies concentrate on the sporting features of a club like coaching and competition but it is clear, going forward, that the importance of social activities in the club environment needs to be recognised.

Research about archers' motivation always repeats their desire to socialise with other archers, as well as practice. Strong clubs nearly always have a well-supported social programme. Clubs, with the support of Archery GB, should provide leadership in this area to create a social offer suited to their members.

Club activities

Does your club have issues with members not knowing many people, bow types sticking together or a lack of a social programme? These are all common complaints. But someone has to be responsible for organising activities, they will not just happen. Committee members can certainly take the lead, but it could be a chance to get other members and non-shooting volunteers involved. Carry out a skills and interests audit to find talents that can be used to develop the social side. 

Things to try:

Refreshments at practice sessions. Tea, coffee, cold drinks and biscuits send a message that the club cares and its members matter. If money is a problem, ask for a small donation. Minimal effort, lots of benefit. And get volunteers and parents involved.

Themed shoots that involve the family: Easter shoots with egg hunts for younger members and siblings, Christmas shoots etc.

Skittles or tenpin bowling, but ensure volunteers and family are invited.

If a lot of members are shooting at a competition, encourage car sharing and get together at lunch time or afterwards.

Hold an end-of-year awards evening but ensure there is something for all the family.

Hold a family and friends have-a-go.

At practice sessions, move people to different bosses to stop cliques forming.

Get different bow styles to pair up and try each other's discipline. Or organise a multi skills day, shooting rounds with club bows and doing field and clout and combine it with a barbecue.

Arrange fundraising events and give all members a chance to help.

A junior disco with a side room for parents to socialise.

A club meal out and a film: easy to organise, fun and excellent to develop that social factor. 

Clubs have successfully used social activities to achieve increased levels of participation at practice sessions. The rewards can be amazing: shared success, friendships, volunteers, increased club funds, lower loss rates, more members. The list is endless.

Want to become a judge?

Judging is a fantastic way of experiencing archery, developing leadership skills, becoming part of a team and being at the heart of some of the sport's biggest events. Interested?

We will be delivering another candidate judge scheme in early 2018. We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers of all ages who get on well with people and enjoy learning to join our team of Judges. You don't need any previous knowledge of judging or have to worry about how good you are at shooting.

The scheme is led by experienced officials. It involves:

Learning basic officiating skills at a weekend workshop.

Putting your skills into practice, assisting at tournaments and being supported by a mentor.

When you are ready, taking the assessment to formally qualify.

For further details and book your place, please go to Judging Pathway section of the Archery GB website: www.archerygb.org/judge .

Visible and vibrant: New plan to develop coaching in archery

Staff and volunteers responsible for coaching have been going through a process of reflection on the role coaching plays in archery, particularly in respect of the enjoyment and satisfaction of members.

They were particularly interested in how coaching can be better shaped to provide people of all levels of experience with the opportunity to fully connect with the sport, their surroundings and those around them.

The influx of new members every year makes this an important question. They need time, attention and care from fellow club members to allow them to wholeheartedly engage with the best archery has to offer, particularly if the club wants to enjoy the benefits of a happy and fulfilled club membership.

When asked, some former members said changes in life circumstances led them to leave. Many others cited a lack of progression and skill development as important factors.

Archery GB believes great coaching enables better enjoyment and achievement in archery as well as wider benefits including physical and mental well-being and individual and social development. Quality coaching also allows more archers to make progress. It gives them a better foundation to technique and increases the likelihood of being successful, opening up opportunities to perform at higher levels.

Coaches are essential and valued pillars of support that improve a person's experience of sport and physical activity. With this in mind the Development team arranged eight workshops across the UK to discuss how coaching can be better supported in future.

Following this consultation process the team and volunteers have agreed a number of priority areas that need addressing and have designed a coaching plan for archery to make sure coaching is visible and vibrant.  In future, the focus will be on increasing quality coaching experiences and improving the quality of support available to coaches and clubs. The Coaching Plan for Archery will be published this winter and will include more details about what action will be taken to meet these aims. Work has already started, in particular on refining a British technical model for recurve and compound, and developing a modernised coaching methodology, so that archers are consistently taught the safest and most effective shooting style in engaging ways. New workshops are being designed for coaches to explore this and other content with Archery GB's national coaches.

Funding boost for clubs

More than £16,000 has been provided to archery clubs across England in the latest round of Archery GB's ontarget small grants programme.

The grants support clubs' development, young people, coaching and social activities. Clubs were asked to identify projects supporting the growth of archery clubs and activity, retaining archers and increasing the opportunities for more people to take part in archery.

Caldy Bowmen was awarded £850 towards a project worth £6,000. It will be working towards the ontarget Young People specialism. It needs more coaches to provide more sessions and professional support. The aim is to encourage young archers make new friends, be confident around their peers and elders and to become coaches, mentors and role models for future generations.

Kirton in Lindsey Archery Club will train more members to become qualified Level 1 coaches. The £600 it was awarded will allow the existing coaches to carry on delivering, but not at the cost of their own archery development.

"Through ontarget we have been able to provide a small amount of funding to clubs. This is always an enjoyable part of the job, allowing us to give something back as part of the programme," said Arran Coggan, Development Manager (Participation).

Is your club in need of funding?

Funding is available to archery clubs across the UK. National Lottery funding is available each year through Sport England, Sport Wales, Sport Scotland and Sport NI. Each of these provide funding programmes to not-for-profit organisations to deliver new community projects to either grow or sustain participation in sport or to support talent development.

Clubs are encouraged to put together a project plan and work out the outcomes and outputs for what you are trying to achieve. Ask for help from Archery GB or approach other clubs that have been successful recently. There are many organisations that can support archery clubs including County Sports Partnerships, local Sports Councils, Local Authority Sports Development Officers or local Councils for Voluntary Services.

Further information on funding is available on the Archery GB website; visit the funding section of the Archery GB website: www.archerygb.org/funding where you can download the Handy Guide to Funding or contact the Development Team on 01952 602795 or email development@archerygb.org.

Membership

Nomination time: Who are your unsung heroes?

Does your club or organisation have dedicated volunteers you that just can't do without? It's time to nominate them for an Archery GB award.

We are very keen to recognise our unsung heroes, and we need your help. The next gold, silver and bronze plaquettes for services to archery will be presented at the 2018 AGM on 21 April at the Crowne Plaza, NEC Birmingham.

What you need to do is write a short citation about your nominee before 1 January, the forms are on the website, and we will do the rest.

There are also specific awards: The Hartwell Trophy for exemplary service to archery, the Gussy Trophy for the wheelchair archer of the year, the Toxophilus Trophy for the best archery magazine, e-zine or online newsletter and two Archery GB Trophies for the best websites.

Parents in Sport week

Help us promote Parents in Sports week, which this year runs from 2 to 8 October. The main focus will be on the positive influence they can have on ensuring young people enjoy sport and develops to their full potential. The CPSU will publicise details of resources and how to get involved very soon but, for starters, you can promote Parents in Sport Week 2017 via Twitter by including the hashtag #sportsparents.

Giving victims a voice

The Voice project aims to combat sexual violence in sport. It is based on the principle that policy generated from the accounts of those that have experienced sexual violence in sports settings will be highly valued and most effective in reaching the sports community and promoting knowledge-transfer, education and development. For more information see Voices for truth and dignity: voicesfortruthanddignity.eu.

We need your help

It is membership renewals time, and we need your help. When you, or your Club Secretary, fill in your form or application we need you to supply your date of birth. Why? Because we can no longer process applications without that information.

Having your date of birth helps us: 

To drive the different membership categories, entries at tournaments, awards, and classifications.

Enables us to target services and support in the appropriate places.

To create a unique membership record (especially important when dealing with hundreds of thousands of records) preventing the creation of duplicates on the database which cause significant issues and delays to the member.

To understand the duration of a membership, identify trends, and track moves between clubs.

The current membership system will not allow a membership to be issued without a date of birth for all the reasons above.

To enable us to have accurate demographic information to help support funding applications to Sport England and UK Sport

Archery GB takes data protection very seriously, and as of 1 October, we will need to comply with the new General Data Protection Regulations. The Archery GB Privacy Policy is available at Archery GB: www.archerygb.org. We promise that your data is kept securely and will only be released to third party contacts if you have given us your permission. If any members wish to discuss this with Archery GB, you are welcome to contact Membership Services.

Missing card?

If your membership card is missing, please contact Membership Services:

Tel: 01952 677888.

Email: enquiries@archerygb.org.

Correction: Page 56, spring issue

At the bottom of the income and expenditure report on page 56 of the spring issue of Archery UK, it incorrectly stated that there had been a £122,462 'surplus' for the year 2016. This should of course, have read 'deficit'. We apologise for any confusion this might have caused.

Board

Join the Board: Play a crucial role in future of our sport

Would you like to help shape the future of our sport? Have you ever wanted to be in the driving seat at Archery GB? Do you have the skills and determination to drive our sport forward? If the answer is yes, now is the time to speak up.

Archery has always been the most inclusive of sports and we would like our Board to reflect this. We are producing some of the best disabled athletes in the world. More women, young people and students are taking up the sport. More athletes are coming through our Performance Pathways and Academies, and all your voices need to be heard. The only condition is that you are 18 or older. We are interested in applications from all abilities, gender, race and religions. All you need is the knowledge and skills to input into the strategic direction of Archery GB.

Things are changing fast, and if you think your background, skills and experience could make archery in Britain even stronger, more successful and help it face future challenges, then it’s time to think about standing for election to the Board.

You will be helping to move the strategic plan forward; changing the way Archery GB operates and, potentially, be in at the start of a new beginning for archery in the UK.

Further information on how to become an Elected Director can be found on the Elected Director Vacancy page of the Archery GB website: www.archerygb.org/agm2018.

From the Chief Executive

With our aims of making things simpler, with clear accountability and a direct connection across the whole spectrum of the sport, we are coming closer to achieving some of this aim through our new sport delivery structure.

It is about reorganising the way we deliver our sport. Previously we had separate units: Performance, Development, Talent Identification and Pathway. We now have one individual unit, the Sports Team, with Director of Sport, David Tillotson at the helm. David, who has a clear line of sight over all aspects of the sport, is responsible for developing archery from grass roots, through competition and coaching to elite Olympic and Paralympic levels.

This is a new approach but one thing remains constant: the importance of volunteers and working closely with our operational committees. We cannot achieve our aims without their and your input and experience along the way.

One thing our sport has is a real sense of community. Recent visits to the Bowmen of Walker and Bowbrook Archers further illustrated this to me. I very much enjoyed watching archers from a spread of generations as they helped each other out by cascading tips, expertise and knowledge. I was also very honoured to be part of the opening ceremony of Bowbrook's indoor facility. Our development team helped Bowbrook with an application for funding from Sport England which eventually resulted in a grant for the shell of the building but it was the members who had the vision and came together to create such a fantastic club facility for the benefit of their club members. It was great to see how that community worked together to create such a result.

This spirit was also reflected in two other very special events at Lilleshall: The Archery GB Youth Festival and the first Worshipful Company of Archers Disability Championships. Both events were fiercely competitive but promoted social contact, fun, friendship and, once again, proved that archery is a sport for all.

We are still hard at work on meeting future challenges and making sure that Archery GB is less reliant on funding partners in the future. The Board has just approved Archery GB's first commercial strategy. We will be actively seeking to work with sponsors, affinity arrangements and external organisations so that we can achieve financial independence.

And we need your help. If any members have good contacts within prominent brands and think they might benefit from working with Archery GB, then please let me know. I would be happy to discuss areas of mutual benefit.

In the meantime, we are still working with UK Sport to negotiate Olympic funding. Have you spotted #everysportmatters? This is a campaign set up by the 11 National Governing Bodies of the unfunded sports which recently resulted in a very productive meeting with the

new chair of UK Sport, Dame Katherine Grainger. As a highly successful athlete, she has brought a new perspective and fresh outlook and is open to dialogue and listening.  We spent four hours in talks with her and Chief Executive Liz Nicholl. The discussions were very positive, and are ongoing.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all good shooting indoors (as I know Bowbrook will in their new indoor facility).

Neil ArmitageChief Executive

Disabilities

World class: Outstanding performances launch new champs

Photo: Guests from the Worshipful Company of Fletchers with Archery GB Directors and President, Trish Lovell.

Britain produces world-class disabled archers, so it is only fitting that that they should have a world-class showcase. And now we do have one: The Worshipful Company of Fletchers Disability Championships.

The first championships were held at Lilleshall. The event was the latest step in long partnership between the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, which has helped many disabled archers and members of the para squad over the years, and Archery GB. It was open to all World Archery classified athletes as well as archers with a physical impairment, and the results were outstanding.

Thirty-five archers took part, watched by Master of the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, Clare James, Past Masters, including Chairman of Trustees Chris Brown and Freemen of the Company, Paralympians John Cavanagh and Mel Clarke.

The first medals of the championships went to our visually impaired archers. World number one Steve Prowse added to his titles by winning VI 2/3 gold, beating second seed Peter Price 6 to 0. Phillip Tranter won bronze with a hard-fought 6 to 2 win over Carmel Bassett.

The VI open title was won by Debora Wright who defeated John Cunningham 6 to 2 in a thrilling match.

And the top two seeds, Wayne Evans and Grace Chappell, went head to head in the disability compound mixed gold medal final. Wayne took the title with a 142 to 136 win while Stuart Champion beat Gwenda Humphreys to bronze.

Day two saw the finals of competitions featuring World Archery classified athletes.

David Phillips beat Paul Browne to mixed recurve gold in a stunning performance. Hazel Chaisty took the bronze medal with a 6 to 2 win over Tamas Gaspar, and received the Fletchers Cup by chalking up the biggest improvement in her competition personal best.

Paralympic champion and world number one Jess Stretton continued her winning ways with a 134 to 129 victory over Victoria Rumary while Jo Frith beat fellow Paralympian John Cavanagh to bronze.

Jodie Grinham, who won mixed team Paralympic silver, beat top seed David Bramley to gold in the compound open mixed competition. And the bronze medal went to Jamie Harris, of Evesham Junior Archery Club, who had just competed in the Archery GB Youth Festival. He beat Ben Edwards by a single point.

Jodie later said: "I think the whole event has been run fantastically. It's felt like an international. Thank you to everyone: the Worshipful Company of Fletchers, the organisers and volunteers. This event wouldn't have happened without all of you."

A spokesman for the Worshipful Company of Fletchers said: "The aim was to provide a fitting platform for all athletes to take part in a showcase competition, to get more Fletchers involved and to show how their Fletchers' Trust operates and benefits others. I am so grateful that all the athletes and the personnel from Archery GB. We learned a lot, we laughed a lot and made many new friends. We had a ball."

Shining light: Outstanding volunteer Mark wins PM's award

Photo: Mark receives his award from Archery GB Chief Executive, Neil Armitage. With them is coach, Gaynor Hutchinson.

For the past 18 years Mark Pattenden has been tackling the toughest challenges to raise charity cash. Now the work of the 54-year-old, who is hoping to eventually represent Britain at the Paralympics, had been recognised with the Prime Minister's daily Point of Light Award.

The award, which goes to outstanding and innovative individual volunteers, was presented to Mark by Archery GB's Chief Executive Neil Armitage.

Mark's voluntary work began after he lost his lower left leg in a workplace accident. The shock also left him with PTSD and cost him much of his hearing.

One way of fighting back was to set himself challenges to help others. These have included jumping out of aeroplanes, marathons, driving a Land Rover to 14 capitals in 14 days and leading a team to Everest base camp. Last year he set a world record, and raised £7,000, by becoming the first amputee to run the Great Wall of China marathon for charity.

He also became one of 300 disabled gym instructors through a Sport England funded programme. It led to him becoming a personal trainer with disability specific qualifications and an athletics coaching qualification. He now volunteers with a squad of six athletes including Vanessa Wallace who finished fifth in the recent Para World Championships.

It was during the course that he became aware of the Discover your Gold EIS programme. He was invited for trials with Archery GB, and was hooked.

He said: "I completed various tasks and was invited to classification and the athletes profiling day. A few months later I was invited to an intensive training course with Gaynor Hutchinson who is a national coach with Archery GB. I now train six days per week between three to six hours a day with a coaching session once a week.

"I have a large social media following and I think a lot of people are motivated by what I have achieved so far. I believe that I have what it takes in terms of commitment and drive to focus on my aim to now represent my country at international and Paralympic level as a world-class archer."

Records smashed at BWAA champs

Photo: Steve Prowse in action.

Demand for this year's British Wheelchair Archery Association National Championships was so high that late entries had to be turned away. And if demand was high, so was the standard with seven new World, European and UK record claims made.

The first were by Phoebe Pine and Jo Frith who managed to withstand searing heat to break UK records, and Victoria Rumary only just missed out. But it was the visually impaired archers who really hit form. Steve Prowse set new world, European and UK records in the B2/3 category while Roger Rees-Evans broke both the European and UK B1 records.

The other champions were: Paul Browne, Phil Spink, Michael Hall, Marc Purslow, Tania Nadarajah, Hazel Chaisty and Annette Skuse. Junior Hannah Blaxall became the Short Metric Champion with a score of 596.

The head to head competition decided the winners of the WRS competition. International athletes came through to win most categories, with one exception: new member Tamas Gaspar. He beat Paul Browne 6 to 2 in the men's recurve final.  The other winners were Phoebe Pine, Michael Hall and Tania Nadarajah.

Andorran adventure

Two British archers, Stuart Rodgers and Carmel Bassett, took part in the Andorra international open visually impaired tournament and came home with a little extra baggage. Carmel and her spotter Bob Bassett and Stuart, with spotter Rick Smith, competed against archers from France, Spain and Andorra.

Stuart shot in the VI B1 class and claimed bronze, just edged out by host nation archer Jordi Casellos Albeol and Didier Roule of France who claimed gold.

There was drama as Carmel went head to head against Bernard Gastrin in the VI B2/3 class. He pulled 4 to 0 ahead but the Briton fought back to 4 to 4 until the final arrow when the Frenchman went through to the gold medal match. That left her facing Samantha Wedeux of France in the battle for bronze and there was no way she was coming home empty handed, winning 7 to 3. Gastrin was pipped to gold by Christophe Gerarding of France.

The VI open competition (for competitors who do not need a tactile sight) was won by Olivier Toulouzan of France, who beat teammate Thomas Cornier.

Jose Fererro of Spain won bronze.

Records and achievements

Records

World records: Target outdoor

Para Archery Women: Women W1

Jessica Stretton, 1440, 1347 Jessica Stretton, 70m – 36 arrows, 332 Jessica Stretton, 60m – 36 arrows, 350 Jessica Stretton, 50m – 36 arrows, 325

Para Archery Men: Visually Impaired 2/3

Steve Prowse, 30m – 72 arrows, 671

Compound Team: Cadet Women

Hollie Smith, 50m – 216 arrows, 2019 Lucy Mason, 50m – 216 arrows, 2019 Layla Annison, 50m – 216 arrows, 2019

UK records: Target outdoor imperial

Recurve, Junior Ladies

Sophie Castle, Double Bristol II, 2282

Recurve, Junior Gentlemen

Joe Fairburn, Double Bristol II, 2498 Joe Fairburn, Bristol II, 1268 Alex Wise, Hereford, 1234 Darragh Joyce, Short Junior Windsor, 942

Recurve, Ladies

Hazel Ede, National, 604 Janet Ross, Long Warwick, 354

Compound unlimited, Junior Ladies

Harriet Fletcher, Short Western, 840 Holly Hunter, Short Warwick, 400 Holly Hunter, Short Warwick, 390

Compound unlimited, Junior Gentlemen

Elliot Ede, Short Junior Windsor, 968 Matthew Wong, Albion, 966 Oliver Robinson, Short Junior Warwick, 408

Longbow, Junior Ladies

Rosie Elliott, Bristol IV, 975 Rose Elliott, Junior National, 379 Rosie Elliott, Double York, 306 Amethyst Chopping, Short Junior Warwick, 266 Rosie Elliott, Long Western, 229

Longbow, Junior Gentlemen

Remy Lloyd, Short Western, 459

Longbow, Ladies

Kathryn Sartain, Albion, 466 Sheila Hudson, Long Western, 413

Michelle Loxley, New Western, 159

Barebow, Junior Ladies

Maia Daborn, St George, 280

Barebow, Junior Gentlemen

Charlie Nicholas, Double Hereford, 692

UK records: Target outdoor metric

Recurve, Junior Ladies

Louisa Piper, Metric III, 1351 Louisa Piper, Long Metric III, 659 Imogen Newby, 10m distance, 360

Recurve, Junior Gentlemen

Kian Watkins, Double Metric III, 2641 Jacob Reid, Metric II, 1358 Joe Fairburn, Metric II, 1334 Louis Perkins, Long Metric II, 679 Joe Fairburn, Long Metric II, 660 Roman Quinton, Long Metric III, 648 Alex Wise, 60m distance, 339

Compound unlimited, Junior Ladies

Matilda Craven, Metric 122-30, 686 Isabelle Carpenter, Compound WA 50m, 684 Lucy Mason, Compound WA 50m, 683 Lucy Mason, Compound WA 50m, 680 Robyn Geddes, Long Metric II, 670 Robyn Geddes, Long Metric II, 613 Jessica Stretton, 60m distance, 350

Compound unlimited, Junior Gentlemen

Harry Bottle, Metric 80-30, 515

Longbow, Junior Ladies

Rosie Elliott, Double Metric IV, 2146 Rosie Elliott, Metric IV, 1075 Rosie Elliott, Metric IV, 1002 Rosie Elliott, 40m distance, 244

Rosie Elliott, 40m distance, 206 Rosie Elliott, 30m distance, 278 Rosie Elliott, 30m distance, 256

Rosie Elliott, 10m distance, 318

Rosie Elliott, WA 60m, 133

Longbow, Junior Gentlemen

Remy Lloyd, WA 60m, 255 Remy Lloyd, WA 60m, 149

Longbow, Ladies

Sheila Hudson, WA 70m, 348 Sheila Hudson, 50m distance, 206

Longbow, Junior Ladies

Becky Chilcott, Long Metric II, 393 Maia Daborn, Long Metric II, 299 Lidia Stamp, 20m distance, 334

Longbow, Junior Gentlemen

Harvey Birdsall, Long Metric IV, 425 Zeyd Ajraou, 10m distance, 337

Harvey Birdsall, 10m distance, 336

Longbow, Gentlemen

Mark Robertson, WA 70m, 591

UK records: Field

Recurve, Junior Ladies

Louisa Piper, WA Combined Red, 524 Louisa Piper, WA Unmarked Red, 260 Louisa Piper, WA Marked Red, 264

Recurve, Junior Gentlemen

Joe Fairburn, WA Marked Red, 343

Compound unlimited, Junior Ladies

Sinead Byrne, WA Combined Blue, 508 Sinead Byrne, WA Unmarked Blue, 260 Sinead Byrne, WA Marked Blue, 248

Barebow, Junior Ladies

Amelia Thomas, WA Unmarked White, 294

Compound Barebow, Ladies

Marion Patterson, WA Combined Blue, 569

Marion Patterson, WA Unmarked Blue, 311

American Flatbow, Junior Ladies

Anna Catling, WA Unmarked Blue, 180

UK records: Clout

Barebow, Junior Ladies

Jasmine Simpson, Double Metric 90m, 308

Barebow, Ladies

Charlotte Baigent, Double Two-Way 180 yds, 147 Charlotte Baigent, Single Two-Way 180 yds, 68

Achievements

WA Star: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – 1200

Piper L, Woking, 1216

Junior Lady – 1100

Maryon G, Nethermoss, 1124

Junior Gentleman – 1200

Nairn T, Alsager, 1240

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Cotillard M, Jersey, 1039

Senior Lady – 1200

Hirst F, Links, 1235 Nicholas L, Cambridge University, 1215 Brug E, Cambridge University, 1204 Barton A, Oxford, 1202 Cossade E, Archery GB, 1200

Senior Lady – 1100

Larkins Y, Crystal Palace, 1182 Whitworth E, Redhill, 1142 Baylis K, Llantarnam, 1139 Booth I, Long Mynd, 1135 Orme M, Supermarine, 1125 Baigent C, Waterside, 1121 Stephenson R, Rochdale, 1120 Rose C, Sevenoaks, 1113 Mitchell H, Archery GB, 1111 Imrie G, Penicuik, 1107 Sinnett-Smith L, Nottingham University, 1105 Povey K, Delco, 1102 Bebbington-Trengove M, Pendle and Samlesbury, 1100

Senior Lady – 1000

Booth I, Long Mynd, 1097 Wilkinson J, High Weald, 1097 Jones G, Loughborough Students, 1079 Dallas L, Links, 1067 Logan M, Archery GB, 1061 Tutuianu A, Archery GB, 1051 Armitage P, Abbey Herts, 1042 Webster C, Aber University, 1038 Smurthwaite A, Aycliffe, 1035 Clarke A, Furness, 1033 Van Besouw R, Southampton, 1020 Lewin A, Coastal, 1006

Senior Gentleman – 1200

Ip S, University of Warwick, 1225 Learoyd J, Warfield, 1212 Johnstone A, Andover, 1210 Webb P, Malvern, 1202 Berti F, University of Birmingham, 1200

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Wozencroft A, Loughborough Students, 1182 Hodgkinson A, Llantarnam, 1178 Learoyd J, Warfield, 1173 Devonport C, University of Warwick, 1152 Hill A, Osprey, 1134 Rahman J, University of Birmingham, 1129 Frost J, Sevenoaks, 1122 Hinckley P, Hampstead, 1119 Trudgill B, University of Exeter, 1114 Evans S, Allington Castle, 1111 Nightingale A, Netherhall, 1110 Barnes L, Fakenham, 1110 Thomas A, Cleve, 1104 Rowe A, Mounts Bay, 1103

Davis P, Whiteleaf, 1102 Holland S, Glen, 1100

Senior Gentleman – 1000

Devonport C, University of Warwick, 1091 Browne G, Green Dragon, 1087 Taylor P, Melton Mowbray, 1080 Jackson J, University of Sussex, 1074 Gusa Lavan S, New Century, 1071 Frost J, Sevenoaks, 1061 Richardson D, University of Warwick, 1057 Wilson T, Lancaster University, 1053 Shipley A, St Helens, 1050 Ross P, Banchory, 1049 Neve M, Perriswood, 1045 Dowsett J, Castle, 1039 Williams P, Royston Heath, 1036 Atkinson R, Hinxworth, 1035 McKeag S, St Georges, 1034 Klinkert M, High Weald, 1033 Bell S Priory, 1030 Holmes D, Kestrels, 1029 Finn D, Wyre Forest, 1025 Dent J, Wyresdale, 1023 Gardiner M, Bradford University, 1022 Parry M, Supermarine, 1022 Berrill D, Chippenham, 1018 Storey L, New Century, 1013 Charlesworth C, Oxford, 1012 Shaw D, University of York, 1009 Wilson N, Lutterworth, 1004 Dukes J, Thirsk, 1001

Barebow

Senior Gentleman – 1000

Holder A, Forest of Bere, 1015

Longbow

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Royal S, Oxford, 1109

Compound

Junior Lady – 1300

Gibson E, Deer Park, 1302

Junior Lady – 1200

Perry L, Oxford, 1230

Junior Gentleman – 1300

Taylor D, Lichfield, 1313

Senior Lady – 1400

Prieels S, Edinburgh Alumni, 1405

Senior Lady – 1350

Blake E, Links, 1354 Gray Z, Guernsey, 1352

Senior Lady – 1300

Gray V, Meriden, 1328 Meering S, Archery GB, 1317 Prime C B, Archery GB, 1313 Smith C, Melton Mowbray, 1307

Senior Lady – 1200

Keith B, Aycliffe, 1270 Goodes H, Burnham, 1269 Williams A, Deer Park, 1260 Boynton R, Stortford, 1253 Laywood L, Leicester, 1233 Davis P, Cheshire, 1226 McCullock A, Eagle, 1222 Duncanson P, Heugh, 1208 Wakefield A, Milnes High, 1202 Shaw M, North Cheshire, 1200

Senior Lady – 1100

Richardson N, Isle of Man, 1181 Wakefield A, Milnes High, 1171 Shaw T, North Cheshire, 1138 Mahe M, Jersey, 1123

Senior Lady – 1000

Hall A, Southampton University, 1025

Senior Gentleman – 1350

Sanghrajka M, Harrow, 1370 Goodes L, Burnham, 1360 Rees S, University of Birmingham, 1360

Hall M, Croesoswallt, 1354

Senior Gentleman – 1300

Pedziwiatr J, Archery GB, 1348 Powell L, Colchester, 1346 Bray, Eagle Bedford, 1336 Morris R, Oxford University, 1327 Jones E, Gravesend, 1321 Cutri F, Welland Valley, 1320 Giles S, C M O, 1315 Bainton A, St Mary's, 1314 Rocha F, Jersey, 1312 Haydock R, Belvoir, 1308 Mill  R, Gower, 1307 Bourne O, Ashford, 1307 Gill S, Leicester, 1306 Moore E, Isle of Man, 1306 Tebbs B, Kestrels, 1304 Humphries M, Gordano Valley, 1300 Wark P, Chippenham, 1300

Senior Gentleman – 1200

Shaw J, North Cheshire, 1290 Lock O, Cheshire, 1287 Kinsella S, Maryport, 1285 Swart D, Moray Archery, 1284 Flint J, Petersfield, 1272 Guerin C, Archery GB, 1261 Upfield D, Portsdown, 1256 Pollitt A, Cheshire, 1255 Dark T, St Kingsmark, 1253 Smith S, Andover, 1248 Guo Z, Southampton University, 1232 Labuschagne A, C M O, 1231 McLean C, Durham, 1225 Squire R, Kingston, 1219 Duncanson K, Heugh, 1211 King L, Kendal, 1207

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Hall M, Ponteland, 1189 Boucher S, Wells, 1177 Temple C, Ditchling, 1171 Smith A, Fakenham, 1167 Chan E, Crystal Palace, 1166 Jackson T, University of Warwick, 1153 Duncanson K, Heugh, 1133 Williams D, Cymric, 1131 Williams D, Cymric, 1129 Trott A, Liverpool University, 1114

Horner B, Liverpool University, 1109 Reed T, Southampton University, 1102

Senior Gentleman – 1000

East S, Aycliffe, 1096 Cooper T, Norton, 1089 Davis J, Cheshire, 1088 Nightingale J, Durham, 1063 York A, Surrey University, 1043

WA Silver Star: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – 1200

Tonkinson K, Audco, 1240 Castle S, Canterbury, 1222 March A, Wymondham, 1201

Junior Lady – 1100

Seaton H, Rutland, 1194 Hughes H, Nethermoss, 1176 Peters M, Deer Park, 1105

Junior Lady – 1000

Pascall M, Wolverhampton, 1096 Orme A, Supermarine, 1083 Clarke J, Guernsey, 1041

Junior Gentleman – 1200

Charlesworth M, Arundown, 1221 Shirley K, St Helens, 1216

Junior Gentleman – 1100

Buckingham O, Aim4Sport, 1113 Vaughan M, Redhill, 1111 Gadd O, Archery GB, 1107

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Harris M, Netherhall, 1057 Skilton P, Blue Arrows, 1040

Senior Lady – 1100

Bannister L, Wolverhampton, 1180

Senior Lady – 1000

Homer N, Brighton, 1087

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Barnett E, Fox, 1130 Cater R, High Weald, 1123

Senior Gentleman – 1000

March D, Wymondham, 1046 Klinkert M, High Weald, 1014

Longbow

Junior Lady – 1000

Elliott R, Chantry, 1002

Compound

Junior Lady – 1400

Gibson E, Deer Park, 1382 Codling M, Assheton, 1375 Geddes R, Lethen, 1351

Junior Lady – 1300

Hunter H, High Weald, 1307 Millar F, Eastbourne, 1307

Junior Lady – 1200

Nash C, Anchor, 1252

Junior Gentleman – 1200

Hey H, Leicester, 1282 Edwards S, Friskney, 1244 Russell D, Supermarine, 1224

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Crow D, Walker, 1171

Senior Lady – 1400

Loader V, Andover, 1353

WA Target: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – White

Hughes H, Nethermoss, 534

Senior Lady – Black

Rubio S, Dark Side, 576 Mackinnon T, Wolverhampton, 567 Cossade E, Archery GB, 566 Burnage H, University of Warwick, 565

Senior Lady – Blue

Dunnighan K, Cleadon, 615 Nadarajah T, C.E.D.A.K., 611

Senior Lady – White

Eyres E, Bramcote, 538 Van Besouw R, Southampton, 535 Page A, Derbyshire, 532 Thomason E, Wilford, 529 Gradwohl E, University of Birmingham, 519 Orme M, Supermarine, 513 Hodgkinson L, Lancaster University, 511 Page E, Meriden, 510 Chaudhry S, Exeter, 507 Nairn A, Beeston Rylands, 500 Watkins K, Walsall, 500

Senior Gentleman – Blue

Leeson J, Birmingham, 610 Twidale T, Trackside, 600  Ip S, University of Warwick, 566

Senior Gentleman – Black

Nicholas D, Junction, 595 Gallagher C, Nonsuch, 588 Dowsett J, Castle, 574 Devlin P, Hertford, 572 Devonport C, University of Warwick, 568 Learoyd J, Warfield, 568 Borrill J, Loughborough Students, 567 Nightingale A, Netherhall, 567 Shipley A, St Helens, 566

Wilson T, Lancaster University, 566 Browne G, Green Dragon, 561 Trudgill B, University of Exeter, 561 Armstrong S, University of Warwick, 560 Evans C, Nuneaton, 559 Keeler C, Archery GB, 557 Botchett P, St Sebastian, 554 Graham P, Durham, 553 Clark A, Whiteleaf, 552

Senior Gentleman – White

Bond A, SportsAble, 750 Learoyd J, Warfield, 549 Lessimore A, Llantarnam, 549 Botchett P, St Sebastian, 545 Borrill J, Loughborough Students, 543 Baker A, Wyresdale, 540 Chong M, Aquarius, 537 McKeag S, St Georges, 535 Richardson D, University of Warwick, 525 Aplin A, Redruth, 522 Lakhiani H, Warfield, 521 Dent J, Wyresdale, 520 Gardiner M, Bradford University, 515 Sims D, Darenteford, 513 MacFarquhar S, Southampton University, 510 Huff S, Abbeydale, 505 Longrigg D, Maryport, 502

Barebow

Senior Lady – Blue

Eames H, Ivanhoe, 622

Compound

Junior Lady – Red

Gibson E, Deer Park, 653

Junior Lady – Blue

Davis A, West Essex, 621 Geddes R, Lethen, 611

Junior Lady – Black

Boulton H, Pendle and Samlesbury, 577

Junior Gentleman – Red

Thomas N, Worthing, 666

Junior Gentleman – Blue

Ridding D, Millom, 637

Senior Lady – Red

Pine P, Deer Park, 671 Neumann H, Welbeck, 654 Blake E, Links, 653

Senior Lady – Blue

Keith B, Aycliffe, 638 Watson R M, Peacock, 637 McCullock A, Eagle, 601 Rumary V, Lincoln, 621

Senior Lady – Black

Reith J, Walker, 599 Skuse A, Abbey Herts, 568

Senior Lady – White

Booysen de Jong E, Abbey Kent, 547 Hall A, Southampton University, 531 Norwood N, Archery GB, 500

Senior Gentleman – Gold

Walker J, BWA, 687 Moore R, Isle of Man, 681 Bolou C, Allington Castle, 680 Powell L, Colchester, 680 Brooks A, Six Towns, 676 Guo Z, Southampton University, 676

Senior Gentleman – Red

Tate A, Walker, 673 Moore D, Isle of Man, 670 Tohovitis G, Welbeck, 667 Rocha F, Jersey , 658 Moore E, Isle of Man, 656 Perrett H, Jersey , 652 Blewett A, Hertford, 650 McLean C, Durham, 650 Nippers J, Guernsey, 650

Senior Gentleman – Blue

Varnam A, Archery GB, 649 Duncanson K, Heugh, 648 Upfield D, Portsdown, 648 Skivington J, Sellafield, 647 Brazier D, Wyre Forest, 629 Cooper T, Norton, 624 Pares L, Loughborough Students, 624 Rocha F, Jersey , 619 King L, Kendal, 617 Colledge S, Ivanhoe, 613 Smith S, Andover, 607 Scott A, Eagle Bedford, 607 Bashford L, Nonsuch, 605 Pye A, Aycliffe, 602 Moore C R, Hingham, 601 Norwood B, Archery GB, 600

Senior Gentleman – Black

Norwood B, Archery GB, 599 Smith S, Andover, 599 York A, Surrey University, 597 King L, Kendal, 593 Boucher S, Wells, 585 East S, Aycliffe, 571

Senior Gentleman – White

Reed T, Southampton University, 540 York A, Surrey University, 509

WA Silver Target: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – Blue

Piper L, Woking, 642

Junior Lady – Black

Palmer F, Wyre Forest, 553

Junior Lady – White

Palmer F, Wyre Forest, 537 Healey P, Audco, 536 Coughlin E, Sleaford, 517 Lessimore M, Llantarnam, 511

Junior Gentleman – Red

Wise A, Walker, 660

Junior Gentleman – Blue

Vaughan M, Redhill, 624 Quinton R, Deben, 618 Boden J, Silver Spoon, 604 Tucker J, Sleaford, 604

Junior Gentleman – Black

Tien H, Wilford, 570 Vaughan M, Redhill, 558

Junior Gentleman – White

Watkins K, Sleaford, 535 Skilton P, Blue Arrows, 509

Barebow

Junior Lady – Blue

A'Bear C, Deer Park, 613

Compound

Junior Lady – Black

Nash C, Anchor, 598 A'Bear C, Deer Park, 554

Junior Gentleman – Black

Ridding D, Millom, 573

WA Arrowhead: Field

Recurve

Junior Lady – Grey

Tinker M, Dearne Valley, 269 Piper L, Woking, 260

Senior Lady – White

Lupton S, Forest of Bere, 302

Senior Lady – Grey

Cross T, Goldcrest, 260

Senior Lady – Brown

Cross T, Goldcrest, 237

Senior Gentleman – Black

Laing J, Links, 296

Senior Gentleman – Grey

Prince R, Dearne Valley, 271

Senior Gentleman – Brown

Davies A, Goldcrest, 250

Recurve Barebow

Junior Lady – Grey

Chilcott B, Audco, 229

Junior Lady – Brown

Heaney C, Ballyvally, 210

Junior Lady – Green

Teggart H, Ballyvally, 218

Senior Lady – Gold

Cowan A, Ballyvally, 317

Senior Lady – Grey

Leonard S, Ballyvally, 227

Senior Lady – Brown

Mehaffey R, Ballyvally, 199

Senior Lady – Green

Henry K, Ballyvally, 221

Senior Gentleman – White

Havranek S, Perth, 299 Morrow T, Ballyvally, 294

Senior Gentleman – Black

Dalton J, Deer Park, 293

Senior Gentleman – Grey

Blair G, Banbridge, 256 Dalton J, Deer Park, 251

Senior Gentleman – Brown

McComb T, Yew Tree, 254 Pagan J, Blackburn, 239 McLoughlin G, Ballyvally, 238 Houston R, Ballyvally, 191

Senior Gentleman – Green

Toland F, Ballyvally, 218 Barclay T, Wrexham, 200 Gilmore P, Lough Cuan, 199

Compound

Junior Gentleman – Brown

Newman A, Anchor, 337

Senior Lady – Black

Breeze R, New Century, 343

Senior Gentleman – Black

Dooley M, New Century, 362

Senior Gentleman – Grey

Sargeant J, Canterbury, 348 Newman E, Anchor, 341

Rose: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – 1100

Piper L, Woking, 1140

Senior Lady – 1100

Stocker C, Windsor Forest, 1102

Senior Lady – 1000

Morris C, Colchester, 1086 Evans B, Andover, 1058 Mitchell H, Archery GB, 1055 Mills D , Rivernook, 1038 Baigent C, Waterside, 1028 Tavlin L, North Cheshire, 1022 Chaudhry S, Exeter, 1014 Flint H, Newcastle University, 1005 Glover K, Lichfield, 1002 Hodgkinson L, Lancaster University, 1000

Senior Lady – 900

Elsworthy G, Exeter, 981 Mason H, Wolverhampton, 948 Waterhouse D, Bronte, 934 Dallas L, Links, 920 Eyres E, Bramcote, 916 Spence N, Reading, 905

Senior Lady – 800

Mason H, Wolverhampton, 899 Geddes D, Lethen, 889 Cusack S, Junction, 884 Hall A, Phoenix Essex, 880 Nairn A, Beeston Rylands, 875 Boucher H, Wells, 851 Waterhouse D, Bronte, 849 Kennedy S, Pendle and Samlesbury, 848 Jones G, Loughborough Students, 832 Sweeney R, North Cheshire, 816 Hull A, Walker, 814 Llewellyn A, Buscot Park, 810 Giddings R, Archery GB, 807

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Coveney A, Loughborough Students, 1121

Senior Gentleman – 1000

Beckett J, Bowbrook, 1089 Wozencroft A, Loughborough Students, 1088 Body A, West Essex, 1088 Johnstone A, Archery GB, 1048 Harper K, Harrow, 1031

Hinckley P, Hampstead, 1004 Stephenson O, Rutland, 1003

Senior Gentleman – 900

Ross P, Banchory, 986 Thomas A, Cleve, 981 Rowe A, Mounts Bay, 955 Wilson T, Lancaster University, 936 Davis P, Whiteleaf, 931 James D, Soar Valley, 930 Jones D, Olde Colesdon, 929 Pearson G, Thirsk, 917 Kendera G, Gravesend, 914

Senior Gentleman – 800

Jones E, Lethen, 896 Shaw D, University of York, 884 Barnett E, Fox, 875 Lakhiani H, Warfield, 872 Shipley A, St Helens, 868 Hunter S, Ardleigh, 848 Smart R, Thirsk, 845 Spink P, Leamington Spa, 828 Darling R, Brixham, 825 Dukes J, Thirsk, 825 Ashby S, Andover, 811 Lowe D, Hart Sherwood, 809

Longbow

Junior Gentleman – 225

Hunton A, Durham, 245

Senior Lady – 525

Sartain K, Racketts, 595 Mortimore C, Archery GB, 564

Senior Lady – 450

Canham J, South Wilts, 458

Senior Lady – 375

Lawrence S, Noak Hill, 435 Duthie B, Aber University, 416

Senior Lady – 300

Woodcock H, Pennine, 372

Canham J, South Wilts, 367

Senior Lady – 225

Rutledge H, Atkins, 279 McLenaghan K, Nonsuch, 248

Senior Gentleman – 600

Gadd C, Archery GB, 645

Senior Gentleman – 525

Kelly N, Southampton, 581 Newnes A, Aber University, 570

Senior Gentleman – 450

Merritt G, Eastbourne, 454

Senior Gentleman – 375

Lawrence M, Noak Hill, 398

Senior Gentleman – 300

Heydon K, Torquay, 328 Marshall G, Thirsk, 306

Senior Gentleman – 225

Phillips P, West, 265 Hall S, Links, 258 Murray E, Kingsfield, 257 Jephcott I, Colchester, 252

Compound

Junior Lady – 1200

Bryan J, Bramcote, 1206

Junior Lady – 1100

Bryan J, Bramcote, 1100

Senior Lady – 1250

Blake E, Links, 1266

Senior Lady – 1100

Keith B, Aycliffe, 1172

Shaw M, North Cheshire, 1166 Mason L, Wolverhampton, 1122 Duncanson P, Heugh, 1101 Loader V, Andover, 1100

Senior Lady – 1000

Wakefield A, Milnes High, 1088 Chadwell A, University of Salford, 1075 Langdon-Ward N, Brixham, 1032

Senior Gentleman – 1250

Sanghrajka M, Harrow, 1260

Senior Gentleman – 1200

Czerniak CJ, Soar Valley, 1214 Barber S, Stortford, 1214 Powell L, Colchester, 1210 Fitch M, Nonsuch, 1208 Wark P, Chippenham, 1206 Chan KC, Beeston Rylands, 1204 Pedziwiatr J, Archery GB, 1200

Senior Gentleman – 1100

Cousins D, Lizard Peninsula, 1190 Trojek M, Eagle, 1176 Kinnard R, Spelthorne, 1173 Charlesworth S, Minchinhampton, 1162 Upfield D, Portsdown, 1156 Mitchell J, Banchory, 1127 Radomski S, Bramcote, 1124 Swart D, Moray Archery, 1123 Bashford L, Nonsuch, 1108 Bradshaw L, Teme, 1108 Duncanson K, Heugh, 1108 Pengelly G, Wells, 1104

Senior Gentleman – 1000

Parker B, Clacton, 1098 Rogers G, Chessington, 1098 Trott A, Liverpool University, 1098 Dargue M, Kirton in Lindsey, 1091 Bradshaw L, Teme, 1080 Steventon W, Lichfield, 1060 Horner B, Liverpool University, 1047

Senior Gentleman – 900

Toth N, Deans, 979

Boucher S, Wells City, 960 Ambrus J, Deans, 950 Turner E, Fast and Loose, 924

Senior Gentleman – 800

Turner E, Fast and Loose, 895 Hall M, Ponteland, 889

Junior Rose: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – 1250

Roberts S, St Helens, 1258

Junior Lady – 1200

Harper B, Bowbrook, 1224 Palmer H, Wyre Forest, 1212 Ferguson E, Aire Valley, 1208 Haslam H, Anchor, 1200

Junior Lady – 1100

Medley D, Beeston Rylands, 1190 Dale J, Cleve, 1174 McKeag C, St Georges, 1174 Barker P, Bramcote, 1166 Seaton H, Rutland, 1166 Buckner J, Overton, 1164 Darling L, Wilford, 1146 Eyres L, Bramcote, 1144 Pagan A, Blackburn, 1131 Houghton S, Pendle and Samlesbury, 1126 Luceau C, Castle, 1126 Barrett E, Howard, 1118 Havers M, Hinckley, 1116 Mantravadi M, West Essex, 1113 March A, Wymondham, 1106 Tonkinson K, Audco, 1104 Vinall E, Eastbourne, 1104

Junior Lady – 1000

Morris-Brown O, Oakfield, 1084 Sinclair B, Crown, 1075 Hammond J, Woking, 1071

Haimes S, Kingston, 1067 Devlin H, Warfield, 1064 Ahmad Z, Southfields, 1059 Baughan J, Frome, 1056 Lowe A, Selby, 1041 Wadsworth J, Rochdale, 1035 Wells H, Lace, 1034 Roadknight K, Redhill, 1032 Blundell F, Perth, 1027 Beagley S, Lintman, 1023 Crook H, South Wansdyke, 1021 Donlon H, Wigan and Orrell, 1021

Junior Lady – 900

Levy L, Guildford, 996 Raupp G, Darwen, 994 Ackland-Snow H, Wallingford Castle, 967 Roadknight A, Redhill, 966 Foreman C, Preston Grasshoppers, 963 Hardy E, Cleve, 957 Ahmad Z, Southfields, 951 Middleton A, Perth, 946 Shaw D, Burleigh, 940 Perring E, Wallingford Castle, 916 Blythe A, Wilford, 913 Gardiner H, Wigan and Orrell, 908 Guntripp F, Evesham, 907 Morrison S, Anchor, 902

Junior Lady – 800

Clarke I, Sway, 894 Tedore G, Rayleigh, 877 Webb C, Rochdale, 862 Loh L, Darwen, 828 Smith F, Andover, 827

Junior Gentleman – 1200

Woodgate J, Woking, 1220 Joyce D, Burnham, 1206

Junior Gentleman – 1100

Mickiewicz S, Southfields, 1140 Thompson W, Huddersfield, 1129 Dace D, Netherhall, 1115 Vaughan M, Redhill, 1114 Hardy W, Cleve, 1109

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Wylie L, Blackpool, 1092 Smith J, Gordano Valley, 1090 Moir S, Braintree, 1086 Parker A, Deer Park, 1077 Gulvin A, Noak Hill, 1074 Mickiewicz S, Southfields, 1066 Orton M, Meriden, 1066 Medhurst C, Redhill, 1060 Weston B, Llantarnam, 1056 White H, Southfields, 1044 Moir B, Braintree, 1030 Jaques L, Dearne Valley, 1028 Ali Y, Leicester, 1025 Cowell D, Rayleigh, 1002

Junior Gentleman – 900

Parker A, Deer Park, 993 Oakes W, Wilford, 968 James J, Soar Valley, 967 Scully B, Hillingdon, 962 Salmon A, Stortford, 947 Jaques L, Dearne Valley, 916 Partington A, Rochdale, 905

Junior Gentleman – 800

Shemmans J, Guildford, 890 Salmon A, Stortford, 879 Jones L, Olde Colesdon, 866 English L, Phoenix, 864 Lucas J, Glen, 864 McGinnis M, Abbey Scotland, 860 Lock A, Noak Hill, 855 Parker A, Deer Park, 849 Routledge L, Sellafield, 831 Shehata-Morgan A, Evesham, 830 Perring O, Wallingford Castle, 813

Barebow

Junior Lady – 1000

Robertson M, Chessington, 1002

Junior Lady – 900

Abdelhalim A, Crystal Palace, 925

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Radosz M, Southfields, 1012

Junior Gentleman – 900

Radosz M, Southfields, 985

Junior Gentleman – 800

Radosz M, Southfields, 888 Oakley M, Adel, 856

Longbow

Junior Lady – 600

Joyce M, Burnham, 748

Compound

Junior Lady – 1250

A'Bear C, Deer Park, 1290 Gibson E, Deer Park, 1272 Chappell G, Deer Park, 1272 Geddes R, Lethen, 1266 Jones P, Belvoir, 1264 Williams J, Cleve, 1258

Junior Lady – 1200

Charlesworth J, Minchinhampton, 1220 Preece R, Deer Park, 1214 Titchener O, East Riding, 1210

Junior Lady – 1100

Preece R, Deer Park, 1191 Titchener O, East Riding, 1174 O'Connor M, Worthing, 1160 Raffan C, Milnes High, 1127

Junior Lady – 1000

Raffan C, Milnes High, 1076 Dixon A, Millom, 1070 Webster R, Ebbsfleet, 1000

Junior Lady – 900

Webster R, Ebbsfleet, 981 Wood E, Ebbsfleet, 963

Junior Lady – 800

Humphries S, Wilford, 867

Junior Gentleman – 1250

Haslam L, Anchor, 1276 Scott A, Canterbury, 1260

Junior Gentleman – 1200

Robinson O, Blackburn, 1210

Junior Gentleman – 1100

Uzzell J, Deer Park, 1191 Pride E, Milnes High, 1156 Brayshaw T, Bronte, 1118

Junior Gentleman – 1000

Balciunas M, Ebbsfleet, 1088 Ridding A, Millom, 1068 Croft O, Darwen, 1028

Junior Gentleman – 900

Davis T, West Essex, 984 Ridding A, Millom, 927

Arrow Award for Juniors: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady – Black

Eyres L, Bramcote Seaton H, Rutland

Junior Gentleman – Blue

Orton M, Meriden Thompson W, Huddersfield

Grand Master Bowman: Target

Barebow

Senior Lady

Hubbard SR, Wymondham Hunt J, Kestrels

Longbow

Senior Lady

Canham J, South Wilts Cousins J, Pastures Hudson S, White Rose Mortimore C, Archery GB Young L, Riverside

Senior Gentleman

Bale M, Rivernook Ellis C, High Weald Evans H, Saints and Sinners Freeman H, Assheton Kelly N, Southampton Twigg R, Exmouth Newnes A, Aber University

Compound

Senior Lady

Flack V, Leaves Green Blake E, Links

Senior Gentleman

Rudd M, Devizes Shaw A, Cleve

Grand Master Bowman: Field

Recurve Barebow

Senior Lady

Cowan A, Ballyvally

Compound

Senior Lady

Brown H, Kent Police

Senior Gentleman

Duncan T, Meriden Richards C, Meriden

Master Bowman: Target

Recurve

Senior Lady

Cossade E, Archery GB Haines L, Evesham Mackinnon T, Wolverhampton Nicholas L, Junction Payne S, Nuneaton Nadarajah T, C.E.D.A.K.

Senior Gentleman

Evans S, Archery GB Harper K, Harrow McDermott E, Jolly H and W Emeney S, Archery GB

Longbow

Senior Lady

Graham S, Balbardie Lawrence S, Noak Hill Sarratt R, Eccles Duthie B, Aber University

Senior Gentleman

llan R, York Kirkpatrick M, Rivernook Murray-Playfair A, Richmond Peters D, Cheshire Rosenberg B, Stalybridge Stowell I, Cheshire

Compound

Junior Lady

Bryan J, Bramcote

Senior Lady

Breeze R, New Century

Chenery J, Burleigh Smith C, Melton Mowbray

Senior Gentleman

Barber S, Stortford Bennion D, Yelverton Dale M, Meriden Duncan T, Meriden Fox P, Rutland Gunstone N, Swan Haynes S, Jolly H and W Kerr R, Chippenham Lane N, Bramcote Mallion C, West Essex Martel D, Malvern Peake S, North Cheshire Potter S, Wyre Forest Powell L, Colchester Pretlove J, Phoenix Essex Tohovitis G, Welbeck Wark P, Chippenham White J, Petersfield Yeoman M, Yelverton Bramley D, Derwent Clayton-Smith O, Melton Mowbray Sanghrajka M, Harrow

Master Bowman: Field

Recurve Barebow

Senior Lady

Cowan A, Ballyvally

Longbow

Senior Gentleman

Newnes A, Aber University

Junior Master Bowman U12: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Barker P, Bramcote Eyres L, Bramcote Havers M, Hinckley Pagan A, Blackburn Palmer H, Wyre Forest Seaton H, Rutland Wells H, Lace

Junior Gentleman

Hewitt R, Evesham Parker A, Deer Park White H, Southfields

Barebow

Junior Gentleman

Oakley M, Adel Radosz M, Southfields

Longbow

Junior Gentleman

Smart J, Thirsk

Compound

Junior Gentleman

Robinson O, Blackburn

Junior Master Bowman U14: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Darling L, Wilford Ferguson E, Aire Valley Hammond J, Woking Levitt F, Netherhall Levy L, Guildford Tonkinson K, Audco Turner L R, Wyre Forest

Junior Gentleman

O'Connor S, Grimsby Orton M, Meriden Thompson W, Huddersfield Weston B, Llantarnam Wright H, Duston Wylie L, Blackpool

Compound

Junior Lady

Belmonte G, Alton and Four Marks

Junior Gentleman

Scott A, Canterbury

Junior Master Bowman U16: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Evans H, Burleigh Houghton S, Pendle and Samlesbury Lessimore M, Llantarnam March A, Wymondham Matkin E, Birstall Palmer F, Wyre Forest Rowley H, Nuneaton

Junior Gentleman

Dace D, Netherhall Mickiewicz S, Southfields Vaughan M, Redhill Woodgate J, Woking

Compound

Junior Lady

Bolou A, Allington Castle Bryan J, Bramcote Perry L, Oxford

Junior Gentleman

Crow D, Walker Russell D, Supermarine

Junior Master Bowman U18: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Hughes H, Nethermoss Green J, Ditchling

Compound

Junior Lady

Loader V, Andover

6 Gold End Senior: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Warner L, Kirby Muxloe

Senior Lady

Alexander J, Nonsuch Brug E, Cambridge University Cade N, Sleaford Chaudhry S, Exeter Page A, Derbyshire Payne S, Nuneaton Robertson K, Walker Ross J, Wellington Tavlin L, North Cheshire Van Besouw R, Southampton Baylis K, Llantarnam Coy M, Friskney Evans B, Andover Gray L, Guernsey

Senior Gentleman

Bryan N, Derbyshire Devonport C, University of Warwick

Fleisig T, Atkins Harper K, Harrow Haye K, Leek Jibrail J, Paradox Lehmann-Mayne K, Rickmansworth Marshall P, Berkhamsted Roy R, Meriden Spykerman J, Supermarine Broadley A J, Lichfield Avins C, University of Birmingham North A, Abbey Herts

Compound

Junior Lady

Bryan J, Bramcote Ede B, Bath Gibson E, Deer Park

Senior Lady

Davis P, Cheshire Duncanson P, Heugh Earle T, Exeter Gray A, Aycliffe Hill S, Brixham Mason L, Wolverhampton Ivanov K, Balbardie Powe H, University of Leicester Shaw M, North Cheshire Wakefield A, Milnes High

Senior Gentleman

Brown N, Leicester Clark I, Wyke Clark R, South Leeds Cornford J, Greenbank Devine L, Blundellsands Duncanson K, Heugh Ellis J, Southampton French T, Castle Moat and Folkestone Guerin C, Archery GB Hamer G, Wyke Haydock R, Belvoir Honour P, Great Rissington Humphries M, Gordano Valley Jordan M, Abbey Kent Lewington R, Nuneaton McLean C, Durham Mill  R, Hingham Parker B, Clacton

Payne D, Nuneaton Payton S, Meridian Archery Potter K, Canterbury Richards C, Redruth Rocha F, Jersey Rogers G, Chessington Rowbotham D, Canterbury Squire R, Kingston Swart D, Moray Archery Teml R, Tockington Upfield D, Portsdown Wright  T, Melton Mowbray East S, Aycliffe Gill S, Leicester Hare J, Fox Czerniak CJ, Soar Valley Moore J, Swansea University Relf A, Malvern Taylor A, Silver Spoon

6 Gold End Junior: Target

Recurve

Junior Lady

Barker P, Bramcote Baughan J, Frome Town Blythe A, Wilford Buckner J, Overton Chadwick L, Richmond Cole A, Alton and Four Marks Dale J, Cleve Eyres L, Bramcote Mantravadi M, West Essex March A, Wymondham Medley D, Beeston Petre E, Corby Rawlings L, Bowbrook Seaton H, Rutland Shaw D, Burleigh Stott E, Huddersfield Taylor K, Meriden Wadsworth J, Rochdale Webster C, Castle

Junior Gentleman

Cowell D, Rayleigh Gulvin A, Noak Hill Joyce D, Burnham Mickiewicz S, Southfields Radosz M, Southfields

Shehata-Morgan A, Evesham Smart J, Thirsk Thompson W, Huddersfield Vaughan M, Redhill Weston B, Llantarnam Wylie L, Blackpool

Barebow

Junior Lady

Nash C, Anchor Stamp L, Llandaff

Compound

Junior Lady

Gibson E, Deer Park Green Z, Ditchling Herdsman R, Wyke Keeling R, Corby O’Connor M, Worthing Poll G, Dover Castle Preece R, Deer Park Raffan C, Milnes High Titchener O, East Riding Wright L, Wisbech

Junior Gentleman

Almond T, Boston Blake O, Portsdown Bond G, Northampton Brayshaw T, Bronte Clark F, Wyke Crow D, Walker Lane T, Bramcote Pride E, Milnes High Ridding A, Millom Scott A, Canterbury Tatum T, Walke

3 Gold End (longbow): Target

Longbow

Junior Lady

Cuthbertson J, Killingworth Joyce M, Burnham

Junior Gentleman

Foreman M, Killingworth  Lloyd R, Lytchett

Senior Lady

Eastgate J, Lamorbey Park Graham S, Balbardie Lawrence S, Noak Hill Robinson S, Archery GB Duthie B, Aber University

Senior Gentleman

Newnes A, Aber University Andrews A, Swan Bellamy G, Green Dragon Betts J, Archery GB Blumensath T, Southampton Kelly N, Southampton Peters G, Deer Park Roberts W, St Helens Rosenberg B, Stalybridge Shearer B, Riverside Spragg S, Noak Hill Stockwell A, Deer Park Tuffs P, Bath Reay P, Wasps

And finally

There's an interesting book by an American sociologist called Jonathan Haidt that argues that unless we try very hard, we all naturally respond to things on the basis of instinct; and that once we have, it takes a Herculean effort to persuade us of anything else.

None of us realises we do it, but we all drive each other mad as a result. The moment anyone has a different opinion, we try to persuade each other with logical argument, not realizing that nature dictates that we are up against it.

This scientific theory is put to good commercial use by the magician David Copperfield, who relies on the instinct of his audience to nudge people into decisions they aren't even aware that they have made. And it came to my mind when I saw the reaction on social media to our recent advert for applications for an independent director.

One specific line in the advert came under attack. It was: 'Archery GB has a diversity policy in compliance with the government's Code for Sports Governance, and particularly encourages applications from the BAME community for this position.'

What was interesting about it was nothing to do with racial prejudice, as (while we're discussing jumping to conclusions) you might immediately think I am implying. No; it was what it said about people's views of Archery GB.

The proportion of non-white members in our sport is 10 per cent lower than census numbers would lead you to expect. This implies that it makes up a generally more reluctant cohort of people where archery is concerned.

Any logical analysis of the statement we made would show that we were encouraging that shyer group to get involved, while making no suggestion that their applications would be treated any differently from others.

But the logical mind never got to rationalise: the instinctive bias, as posted, was that Archery GB must be doing something wrong.

The same words spoken by two different people will provoke different reactions, depending on your opinion of who you heard saying them. I know from my mailbag that it takes no more than the sight of Archery GB's brand on any document for some people automatically to assume the worst. It's science: I get it. But we are on the same side in wanting the best for our sport. I'd encourage people always to start with that assumption.

Mark Davies

Chairman

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WIAWIS

Hoyt

Mybo

Leupold

Stanislawski

Silver sponsors

Merlin Archery

Matthews

Fuse Accessories

Shibuya

Prime Archery

Trading name

Archery GB is the trading name of the Grand National Archery Society, a company limited by guarantee number 1342150 Registered in England.