I took up archery on a bit of a whim really! I was looking for something to do to keep active after realising I would never make it as a wheelchair tennis player! After getting in contact with my local disabled sports club around four or five years ago, I picked up a bow, gave it a shot and have never looked back!
I now regularly train with my two local archery clubs, based in Welwyn Garden City where I now live. This gives me great opportunities to practice my skills and try to correct any faults with my shooting. I have taken part in some competitions and regularly win medals of all colours! My proudest moment so far was winning a National Championship short distance gold within six months of starting the sport!
As well as this, I train at the home of British Paralympic sport in Stoke Mandeville during the winter season with the British Wheelchair Archery Association. Now this is the place to be if you want to get spotted for entry onto the ParalympicsGB Development Squad and ultimately the main team! We train one weekend a month for six months and it is a great opportunity to network with some of the current Paralympians, as well as the coaches and talent scouts. It is also a great way to meet new people and make friends.
I work for the Environment Agency and I have been involved with the London 2012 Games for the last two years, advising on and regulating water quality during construction, and during and after the Games.
I visited the Olympic Park site for the first time this week and I was amazed at the accessibility already in place just on the construction site. I had no problems at all getting about, even during an unscheduled fire alarm! So I have high hopes for an excellent standard of accessibility during the Games too. I must admit the Olympic Stadium is already looking awesome and it’s not even finished yet!
I do realise I have a long way to go to make my dreams come true, but it makes me no less determined in achieving my goal. London 2012 here I come!
