In October I decided that I would give 1 year to the decision around stay with the sport I love. Not just as an archer but everything, all of it.
As an archer I have documented the constant fight with the physical issues that I have and that see me constantly adjust to remain shooting. As a Safegaurding officer I have been fighting to help make changes and ensure everyone at all levels and in every role, archer/coach/volunteer – everyone is safe. This has been a battle so very much bigger than I ever anticipated it to be, because those who need to change simply will not and it would appear no one has the power to make them. Why?
it’s going to be painful to make the necessary changes and there’s got to be enough people prepared to stand up and fight.
I believed the Whyte report would help us but I am incredibly sad to find it hasn’t brought about the energy to force change.
I am still fighting and I will until the 30/9/26 when I will assess if I have seen enough evidence that the NGB is going to crate the change required.
This week I have been on leave and I made the decision that it would be about me, I have been in touch with some people I am supporting, and I have been in touch with those I have needed to, regarding ongoing or new sessions, but other than that I have spent time reviewing all elements of my archery life, archer, parent of archer, judge and safeguarding officer.
Thank you to those who have sat with me over coffee, food, ice cream and let me thrash over my thinking this week, particularly difficult when I am limited in what I can explain, I cannot discuss cases or things I know that lead me to the ongoing belief that change isn’t likely to be happening during the timeframe that I have set myself. So we have also discussed how I might walk away if that is my decision on the 30/9, because some of the archers that I am supporting will require support after that date.
I am the fly and the picnic, swatted away but keep returning because I have no squad place or paid role to threaten me with loosing. However if I walk away who will keep fighting for change, I know many see the issues, some bring people to me to add historical cases to the information that I already have, but may have tried and ultimately found themselves overwhelmed with fighting alone.
I shall continue pushing and hopefully the new head of safeguarding and the new CEO will put safeguarding at the top of the agenda, and I will be constructive in my ongoing conversations.
Judging has been relatively straight forward, just looking at my availability to add some more competitions to the ones that I am already committed to for the outdoor season and then if I stay at least come October and I am very much looking forward to seeing everyone on the range.
So, that leaves my archery!
I intended to shoot once indoors and once outdoors this week 30 arrows at each. I shot 51 indoors and 36 outdoors (completely messed up the scoring though 😬).
feeling good about how it has gone saw me agree to shot a Portsmouth round this evening, however I have pulled out. During Tuesday’s session, about 4 ends in I lost session in my thumb, it’s was partially recovered by Thursday and following the frostbite that I shot I sit here with reduced sensation in my thumb and 2 fingers. Pain in everything except my little finger. Nerves really not enjoying all of this 😳
We are running out of things we can change I think? I started shooting knowing I had possibly 2 years in me. I am now at 8 years! Cannot complain about that really? But yet I’m gonna anyhow 🤣😜 I would like to carry on shooting 😉 so let’s see what I can fathom over the coming weeks 🤷♀️
So in short, I gave myself 12 months to decide if I can stay in this sport and here I am, sat at the start of month 6 and I am firming information to make the choices and I have a great group of people around me to offer support and opinions whilst I make those choices.
