Following on from the recent completion of Archery GB’s national talent development programme, two local archers have achieved further recognition with invitations to join the association’s national training academy.

Harriet Crook, aged thirteen, and Sophie Young, aged fourteen, from Paulton and Midsomer Norton respectively, are looking forward to the challenges and opportunities the programme will bring.

Sophie said: “We are working hard on strength and conditioning, as well as shooting as much as we can outside of our time spent with our coach. I’m building up to shooting between 750 to 1,000 arrows a week.

“I’m balancing shooting with school, football and scouting, so I have to be quite organised and stick to my schedule. I first picked up a bow at cub scouts when I was eight and it’s just gone on from there. I joined the archery club aged ten and have been shooting ever since.”

Harriett added:?“I have been doing Archery for four years. I enjoy going to competitions and have made friends from all over the country. I am excited about joining the academy and training at Lilleshall.”

The pair have represented both their club and county at regional and national competitions, and have multiple county records and awards to their names. The opportunity to join the National Age Group Academy demonstrates the skill and dedication both girls continue to give to the sport.

The pair are members of the South Wansdyke Archery Club, based in Writhlington. Club Chairman, Jim Linfield, said: “It is fantastic that a small club such as South Wansdyke can boast not one, but two Junior members in the National Academy. We are immensely proud of the success that Sophie and Harriet have achieved through their hard work and determination.”

If you are interested in finding out how you could get involved in archery, or would just like to attend a session, contact: [email protected]