What else would your granddaughter ask you to do for her birthday, join her on the range ā¤ļøš¹
As you are aware I have been taking time away and you have all been very patient. My father was diagnosed in June and we were told that it was terminal within 36 hours, he didnāt want the details made publicly as we faced it together as a family. Thank you to everyone who allowed me to be a little slower in those times when I went off grid and the understanding that there was something happening that was bigger than anything you may need.
As time progressed it was simply sitting, chatting, making memories, sharing memories and having those conversations that people ask to have the chance to have.
The timing of his diagnosis was shortly before I made the step to create Integr8Archery. Absolutely no greater supporter of this than my dad. Chatting about what I wanted to achieve, how I wanted to achieve it, and details of everything I was doing and celebrating my successes.
He had been incredibly supportive of the various projects in the last 3 years and had been especially supportive of the charity that we had looked to create, the idea of doing amazing work in memory of your father really hit home to my dad, who family had such meaning for. He had some great ideas of how to help us get funding there.
In the absence of that project he got behind my ālittle businessā as he always called it with a smile on his face š he was thrilled to read the week 26 update of what we had achieved in the first 26 weeks. I am so pleased he was able to share that progress just last week.
I shall, without a doubt, miss my amazing father who never doubted me, always supported me and always listened as I threw around ideas and was always happy to share his perspective, itās always good to have an outsiderās view.
I ask you now for 2 things:
Your patience for a little while longer as, over the next few weeks, my family and I deal with all that our loss brings. I will answer and arrange things, and I am grateful to my supportive team who will be helping me keep things moving, but things may be a little slower than usual as other things take priority.
If you have a concern, a small niggle, anything that you may be worried about health wise, go to your doctor and keep going, my dad had worried and didnāt push maybe like he might. I donāt blame the NHS – we are incredibly grateful to all of the staff who have been involved in his care. Had he pushed, things might have been different but my point is, donāt take the chance, it might be scary, but push and keep pushing. If nothing else comes from this, our familyās latest battle with this horrible disease, let it be that you push for your health and we donāt loose you sooner than we need to.
I have lost one of my heroes, one of my greatest supporters – the man it was my privilege to call pop pops – my father.
If you have been following us a little while or even just had a quick look around the website, you will know we have our own archery club and that we are a little bit different, this allows us to fit our aims and our needs together quite nicely.
We get asked if people can join, yes – absolutely. So we are a hybrid club, as a regular member you can pay your AGB fees via us and we will be your first club. We are also a school club and as such have school satellite sites dotted about. Why is this important? It really only impacts you from a range perspective. We have 4 school ranges registered to the club, this will be increasing to 6 very shortly. These are not open to anyone but are specific to our groups who shoot there. At the moment Integr8Archery Club doesnāt have a range of itās own for regular members, simply there arenāt enough of us in one place, this may change it may not. We have members around the country. For some we are actually their second club as they want to support us and our aims but they are too far away to shoot with us on a regular basis. These archers are also choosing to have a club shirt and often, in place of their name on the back, choosing to put the name of their first club to allow them to support both clubs with one shirt, an idea that I love.
I did say I would let you know where and when we will be so that when you want to join us to fling some arrows you could join us. For those of us who are local to Northampton I have chosen our main shooting spot to be Archers of Raunds and these are my second club. Why? Simply the hand of friendship that they have extended me, over the last couple of years especially and they are one of the clubs involved in the archery in education project. When I discussed the needs of Integr8Archery Club they didnāt hesitate. So I would like to take this opportunity to thank them again for the support that they give me on a personal level and also the work I do at grassroots level.
There are some other clubs you will likely see me pop up at as these are where my shooting friends are and where I have always been welcomed – Long Buckby has the advantage of my friend and county captain who allows me to pick his knowledge when things arenāt right. Banbury Cross is another warm welcome and my aim as I settle back into routine is to visit these 2 clubs once a month if I can. In the summer I try and get to Bowmen of Glen at least once a fortnight as the company is great and of course I need to settle and get over more often again to my shooting buddies at Kestrels which again was easier in the summer but definitely worth the effort. Donāt forget the clubs that extend a welcome for us to shoot have shooting fees and some require a pre-booked lane.
Usually I love competition and spend most of my Sundayās doing just that, Iām working on it and will get back to it and when I start booking places I will let you know so that you can join me if and when you wish as some of you have suggested that you would enjoy this as a way of getting together.
So thatās hopefully answered some questions, if I have missed something donāt be shy – ask. See you on the shooting line soon.
I cannot believe that itās been 6 months! Itās been a massive learning curve and in so many ways. I have to say thank you to everyone who has supported me in anyway from helping put on a session, to listening to me bounce ideas around, to just giving me a nudge when I think I might not be good enough.
I was literally on my knees on the 27th June having been barely surviving for 6 months and really hit a very dark place, a small group of incredible people had literally, some days helped me to breathe and dragged me through but on that Monday evening I genuinely couldnāt see any way to keep my sport at all. To continue to shoot or to continue my work within it.
What I hadnāt counted on were 2 people that evening – one who shared their own story and then told me to put on my brightest leggings – I guess it was my very specific version of being told to put on my big girl pants and fight š if you know me, you would know that was probably hitting the nail on the head. The other was someone who had stood back, remaining neutral and that evening decided to express their opinion after months of being quiet. It turns out my quiet friend has a very specific brand of motivational talking, and a lot like my counsellor mostly leaves me with my thinking significantly questioned, challenged and with a lot of work to do within my own mind. His timing was perfect! I think earlier would have failed and maybe he knew that.
For his trouble, the following morning he and a selected bunch of others awoke to messages explaining my early basic plans and what I needed to do to get started. So 28th June 2022 Integr8Archery was born, and here I am 26 weeks later, 6 months!! Having achieved so much, and with so very much still to do.
I thought it would be a great time to look at some numbers because in recent weeks I have been asked by a number of people for some details, and also use what I had done previously to add some context. So, if you are interested here are some figures, grab a cuppa and have a read:
I completed my beginners course in 2018 and I have held lots of roles since then, I did do some volunteering within the sport before I became an archer myself but I thought 2018 seems like a decent place to start and yes, this is all volunteering, and it doesnāt include what I have done at AGB competitions or for other sporting events outside of archery.
2018 –
1. helped out on 3 taster days – attended by local community groups and saw 143 people pick up a bow.
2. helped out at 4 beginners course – 49 people completed those courses
2019
Organised and put on a county charity event
helped at 5 taster days – attended by 185 people
helped at 3 beginners courses – 37 people completed
organised archery for 2 multi sports events – helping 72 people get a taster of our sport
volunteered for archery at the World Transplant Games
2020
The year of the pandemic! I did lots of things this year but by far my biggest achievement was helping with the return to sport guidance particularly when I picked up the phone following the original release and explained that until every archer was given the opportunity to choose to return we hadnāt yet gotten it right, those initial steps prevented some of our most vulnerable members being given the choice!
I attended so many webinars and workgroups, not just within archery but within multi-sports settings both locally and nationally and took the opportunity to study and learn for my role in safeguarding, being furloughed gave me the chance to do some of those things I had never had time for.
Sitting on the range for hours every day helping people feel confident enough to come back to shooting or try a new sport they discovered whilst locked in and searching the web, was incredibly rewarding and the ability to work with other grassroots sports to help each other was definitely another advantage to that time as we all took to get to know each other, bonds created which we still use now.
2021
3 taster days – 135 people with a bow in their hands
5 beginners courses across 3 clubs – 72 people completed
business games events – 135 people shooting
organised and hosted a county charity event
archery in education starts with –
wave 1 – 102 children shooting
wave 2 – 136 children shooting
primary school sessions – 57 children shooting
colleges – 27 students shooting
Out Of school educated children – 87 people with a bow in their hands for the taster sessions and 32 going onto weekly sessions
10 school staff completing an instructors course
29 coaches across all levels helping put these sessions on
2022
up to April
9 secondary schools – 118 children shooting
out of school setting children – 27 children shooting
3 local community groups having 4 sessions each – 48 individuals shooting
Integr8Archery
first 6 months
13 secondary schools across 3 counties after school clubs – 208 children
2 schools now have Integr8Archery satellite clubs – 23 children
weekly curriculum sessions providing archery for 72 children
4 primary schools – 68 children
3 nursing homes – 31 individuals
Weekly sessions for 4 weeks for ladies from a local refuge = 15 people, LGBTQIA+ support groups = 28 people & foster families = 13 children
helping 3 school games events – totalling over 200 children shooting
2 flight archery workshops – introducing 18 people to this style of archery
Integr8Archery club – currently collating the paperwork for 38 children and 11 adults
getting access to the anti violence pledge available online
obtaining Community Interest Company status and ensuring the very strict guidelines to being non profit are set and unchangeable – my way and no one elseās regardless of who collaborates with me – set in stone so I can relax
start my journey to become a disability sports coach and learn 5 new sports
joining forces with Sport for Development Coalition, Childrenās Coaching Collaborative, We are Undefeatable, Belong and continuing to build and strengthen the relationships with the National Governing Body, Sport England, Northamptonshire Sports, local archery clubs and counties who have the same aims, and numerous groups who, together, we continue to learn to bring people to sport but to protect them whilst they are in our care.
Throughout this time I have continued to work in my safeguarding role and deal with incidents as they arise, develop my knowledge and support a number of families in well-being. Whatever else happens, I stand by my promise that I will make sport safer for everyone and to help support those where issues have created failure of care. Together we can create change.
So without a doubt, thank you to those who told me I did have a place, thereās a lot of shooting happened because you didnāt just watch me walk away when I thought I had no alternative.
Tidying up plans for 2023, reviewing that last 6 months and what went well and where I can improve, funding applications and planning to be on the radio in the new year š±
Christmas planning, if like me you donāt actually like Christmas itās always a challenge! We smile and get on with it because itās easier than defending our position, but if you need a place to scream, give me a shout.
That being said have a great Christmas and enjoy whatever you do, and I hope that whatever happens you manage to find time for maybe a frostbite shoot or some other fresh air activity. No frostbite for me this year on Boxing Day instead a day with friends and muddy bikes, I have always gotten thrills standing at the edge of a racing track so if I canāt shoot being amongst petrol heads will be great fun.
For now a coffee and Christmas clothes to pop over to the range and see friends.
If you have looked at the website and you have been following my blogs then you will know that the anti violence campaign is something that I feel incredibly strongly about.
On the 14th May I took part and helped marshal the march in Wellingborough led by the charity Off the Streets which culminated in the arrival at the knife angel monument which stopped for a few hours on itās journey from Northampton to Corby in order for it to be part of this important day. The aim of the day, and any hosting of the monument is to provoke discussion around what we can do as individuals and together, in unison, to stop street violence. You can read about the day on the knife angel page of this website.
As I was busy talking to people around the topic and what we can do to help offer alternatives for our young people than to join those gangs that is often how they find themselves where violence is the only answer, I entirely forgot to sign the anti violence pledge. So, the following weekend, joined by my friend and our children we visited the monument at itās stop in Corby. When we returned home it was to be told that moments after we left my friendās house the air ambulance had made a landing in the local park as there had been a young person stabbed just that afternoon.
Today whilst visiting my parents, I became aware that the Manchester Bee monument which is made entirely of firearms and blades collected in an amnesty in the Manchester area, was being hosted locally by Derbyshire Constabulary. The weapons used to create the bee are part of what has been collected in the Forever Amnesty campaign.
I had the privilege of visiting the bee today in Derbyshire at Cromford Mills, the first host constabulary outside of Manchester for this important symbol of what we are all trying to aim for, to bring about social change. The bee has 2 other venues in Derbyshire – tomorrow 19th December at Buxton town centre and on Wednesday 21st December at Hall Leys Park, Matlock Town Centre. If you are able to, please pop along and visit, collect your own little handcrafted bee – at no cost, but to help promote conversation at home or work. The monument is less visually imposing than the knife angel but no less thought provoking or emotive. I think the inclusion of guns has a massive impact visually and for me, gave me new things to think about in addition to those previous thoughts and conversations I had had, earlier in the year.
I must also say thank you to the 2 officers who had been on the process of packing up at the end of the day for making time to allow an out of area Witness Care Officer to not just have a quick look, but to discuss what these crimes mean to us on a daily basis both in and out of work, and what our thoughts are around who and how might be able to help drive change.
Following my time with the knife angel I had communicated with Clive Knowles who is the Chairman and National Youth Violence Educational Programme and Tour Lead, to look at how the anti violence pledge could be made available online to those who wanted to sign up but were not near a local hosting event, and as you are aware I proudly announced, and have shared the link several times since, now that this access has been completed and I ask you again to consider what role you could take in helping stop or prevent violence on our streets.
I am not asking you to jump in if you see something happening. I am asking you to consider what, if any, small part can you play in offering an alternative for a young person who may not yet have joined that gang that would take them down the path where violence becomes the only answer.
Yes, I have worked in this area for almost 30 years but thatās dealing with what has happened!
I see my role in anti violence and prevention much more in the many hours I give in grassroots sports, where we can show there is an alternative place to belong. A different group to join. One that will not take you down a path where violence is the choice you face.
I was asked recently by a coach ā why is this my issue, why should I be involved?ā.
Arenāt we all trying to work towards young people choosing sport?
Donāt you see how that fits the aims of the of anti violence and social change campaign? Itās a huge part!
So many of us are working to improve access at grassroots levels and to get our sport into schools, this is such a logical part of what we are doing and that is your pledge, right there.
So signing the pledge is just becoming part of that wider group who together, each with our own small step, can create a movement that might make our streets safer for the people caught up in these issues. Remember some of those who fall victim are simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, itās not all those āwrong unsā as was recently described to me!!
Pretty much the expression that I have been mostly wearing this week
So week 21 saw me hit with germs and mostly sleep. Turns out the already poor functioning blood doesnāt do recovery well! However, despite all of that, I did manage to get some things done.
Conversations about how we divide the Muslim community group into smaller manageable groups to introduce to archery. I am thrilled at the choice made for our first priority and I cannot wait to see them start.
A couple of new groups reached out and though early, I think they both look like we immediately have a plan of action so itās going to be exciting over the coming weeks.
Schools moving into club phase, and the numbers of children wanting to extend their archery from curriculum to club has taken me by surprise but I am thrilled that they are enjoying it, setting themselves goals and seeing it as an alternative to hanging around the streets after school finishes. Most definitely proof of those conversations I had in the early summer at the knife angel event.
Whilst I had been disappointed when first hearing of the weekendās training for my Disability Sports Coach course being postponed, by the time the weekend came around I was actually pleased as I likely wouldnāt have been able to make it, but it did give me time to plan and suggest ways that I can maximise my days in London for placement days so it wasnāt wasted time.
Lots of talk around well-being, some general but some specifically around issues arising, sometimes a coffee and sharing thoughts is all it takes to see a way around a blockage in communication. It is always a privilege that people see me as someone they can trust for these conversations.
A fitting point, perhaps to remind you all that itās safeguarding adults week, if you want to know a little more the Ann Craft Trust is a great place to start.
Several other project issues this week would point me to the belief that within the āart of repetitionā we could use improvement in the āart of communicationā.
Within the three Monday schools sessions 7 children picked up a bow for the first time, these are the things that keep me moving forward on the days I might quit and Monday afternoon seriously was another of those āwhy am I doing thisā moments.
Gratitude to the friends who reached out and made me laugh and reminded me that I love this sport and I am passionate about what we can achieve with it. So I guess I will stay a little longer š (we know that I am unlikely to go anywhere really).
Finished the week with a smile despite the illness and wobbles
Firstly I want to say I am blessed to know many men and boys who are amazing examples of what we should be celebrating and are great role models, you donāt have to be prefect to be an example to others.
So I would like to say thank you to every one of you who bring something to my world. I am not going to name names or list what each give me, support, laughter, hugs, listening to me on my worried, sad, excited days. Encouraging me to be the best version of me that I can be. Without a doubt my dad and my son have been amazing this year despite their own issues, but there are others who have not given up on me and gently pushed me – thank you, every single one of you.
The theme of 2022 is helping men and boys. We are all familiar with Movember which is an opportunity to raise money and focus on menās health and tomorrow, 20th November is International Childrenās Day and it is suggested this year that we focus on 48 hours of celebration of men and children the special relationships that they share. With this in mind I would like to thank Paul Sharpe for being a great father to our amazing children and helping them to achieve their goals.
Take a look at these links and enjoy helping the men in your life know that we do appreciate everything that they do.
Apologies this is a day late, I had drafted my blog Friday evening ready to tweak a little after my first day of training with disability sports coach but we finished earlier than expected and as I took myself for a stroll I thought of an entirely different blog. Unsure which to publish I decided to wait and it was the right decision as I have decided that both deserve to be seen, so here is my originally planned blog and I shall tweak the other and it will be published next Saturday.
Several months ago I was asked about my previously published blogs and if I would link them here, I asked permission several times about adding links to that website here on mine and never received a reply. So, after some quick checks to cover the legalities, I have gradually reposted them here, and I thank those people who pushed me, because they do continue to open conversation and discussion and new people have reached out to chat with me who have seen things relevant to them in what I have written, itās always humbling to have someone read my blog and then share their story, I carry each with me like treasure because I know itās not easy to share.
My last republished blog is about trying something new, pushing your boundaries, rejuvenating whatās happening. At the time this was originally written I had been struggling with my body breaking down and moving to seated and the opinions that came with that, but a hand of archery friendship invited me to try something new and it gave me the boost to stay with my bow. It has definitely been the biggest part of why I havenāt quit this year too.
There is no secret that I am passionate that our sport is adaptive in such an exceptional way that it doesnāt exclude anyone and I continue to work daily on getting new people to pick up a bow.
Within this, what I have discovered is their is a shortage of people available to deliver adaptive sports to those who want to take part, after seeing the inclusive activity leaders course advertised on the Parasport website, I decided to apply. I have been quite vocal for years about not being a coach, many people telling me to go for it, itās really not something I ever wanted, but I find myself in a position of having to take an archery instructors course, something that I have been quite resentful for (thank you to those who have had to listen to me snarl and stamp my feet about it). The disability sports coach course has also made me feel much more positive about that, itās no longer about being prepared for when I am let down and jumping in to deliver sessions, itās now about having the ability to deliver 6 sports to those looking to access them.
So are you struggling with staying positive, thinking of quitting or cannot remember where you left your motivation? Sure you can sit on the sofa under a blanket, and I do that when I need to, or you could try something new, it can be small, but it might light a spark. Give it a go!
MAYBE SOMETHING NEW MIGHT REFRESH YOUR MOTIVATION?
Originally Published 27th August 2021 by Aim4sport.
Having been shooting for 3 years and half of that in a pandemic and the various happenings of 2020 my goals slid and for various reasons I sat down on several occasions with the very real question around quitting everything related to my sport.
I have always enjoyed competing (my first season saw me shoot 26 competitions) ā it gives me focus on the days I donāt want to pick up my bow to practise.
I am not interested in beating others ā just in pushing myself.
So 2021, I managed to start to settle with the changes I had been forced to make to continue shooting but I needed to find competitions, I enjoy going to new clubs, new places ā whilst I have met some people with āinterestingā views the majority of archery clubs and archers are incredibly welcoming and I find you donāt feel like a stranger very often.
With the current situation, many clubs have had to cancel or postpone competition which is very understandable. So I threw out a request on social media with some dates I had no plans for.
I was quickly given some ideas and the one that really sparked my interest was a suggestion I could step outside my comfort zone and try flight archery. The offer came via Ian Norwood of Riverside archers who assured me that I would be very welcome and supported if I turned up to the competition having never shot a flight arrow and I could enter the target bow category.
Some quick research made me realise that with little adjustments I could have a go and test my boundaries and generally just have some fun!!
So Sunday 15/8/21 I found myself on the airfield at Church Fenton to learn to shoot flight at the national championships!
What can I say? It has been amazing day spent with fantastic people who have the most positive attitude towards our sport! No grumpy faces just a genuine anticipation of what may be achieved during the day by those who are on the line. And we saw a world record taken with a shot at over 900 metres!!
I say we saw ā as a target archer itās a little unnerving that we donāt actually see anything ā we fire the arrows into the sky with no hope of seeing where they are going you cannot possibly follow them with your eye!
We are also used to the āno coaching from the lineā rule ā so to stand on the shooting line and as you draw an arrow a voice calls out āHelen Iāve got youā and the chaos of voices vanishes as you focus on that one voice who guides you to try and ensure that together your arrow is released at the optimum moment ā truly team work.
I was adopted by Riverside archers before the day and they were amazing in their support of me, but for anyone wanting to try and knowing no one when you arrive donāt worry about that ā they are the most welcoming group I think you will meet.
With no disrespect, as I am a target archer, and I fully understand the mindset ā can you imagine arriving at the national championships having never given it a go and being asked by the tournament organiser if there was anyone there who had never tried? To find yourself surrounded by people who will then help you achieve your best on the day?
So, as there were no other female compounders I came away with 4 gold medals and being declared national champion in 4 categories. I had gone to the event with the aim of taking on category C ā target bow compound.
I was encouraged to play with the other 3 categories so I did, these would definitely have belonged to someone else had there been entries with relevant kit.
My category C? Well weāll never know ā had another lady arrived with target bow and arrows it would have been fun for sure to have someone for comparison.
I know I was short by some way of the record for the distance shot in that category, but I also know my score would have been valid to earn a Merlin badge in the raptor scheme if I could achieve a second score to support it.
However, I now have to wait until next August to enter all 3 flight competitions ā see if I can earn that badge in the award scheme, make some small tweaks to my category C kit and wonder should I consider another bow style to try in a different category! I have after all been playing recently with longbows!
I have to thank John Marshall for loaning me transport when my own car failed itās MOT 36 hours before the competition!!
Benjamin Horner, Dave Leader and Daniel Smitton for their help letting me bounce around ideas and plans to prep and get ready. Most declared my plan to be lunacy so thank you for embracing my plans.
And the very best wishes to all at Riverside archers for the next 11 months and I will hope to see you all on the 7th, 14th and 21st of August 2022.
2021 2022 – still encouraging me to move forward and push my boundaries
Thank you to the crazy group of archers who are my people, who have given me the strength to move forward, breathe, continue the work I could manage alone, who have given me so very much more than I would have ever dared ask for and to those few who know why this weekend is important and are checking on me š¤š archers are my people and I love you all.
ARCHERY FOLK ARE THE BEST KIND OF FOLK ā JUST MY OPINION! ā BY HELEN SHARPE
Originally Published 30th April 2021 by Aim4Sport
My life is full of people who in some way, shape or form belong to the world of little pointy sticks, and I love them. Archers of different levels, judges, and coaches of all kinds to name a few.
At the age of 46 I have finally found my people! Having spent most of my life struggling to fit in amongst my peers and trying repeatedly to make myself into whatever they expected me to be at various different stages of my life I am in my group, where who I actually am is the most important thing to the people around me.
My clumsy, unco-ordinated, crazy, quirky self is all they want with no demands for me to change even on the days that they find me frustrating.
Archery is a place where I have found people who celebrate the individual in each of us. (Yes, we have all met that odd one who still needs to learn this lesson but for the most part I believe that our quirky differences are what makes us feel like I found my family).
For me most sports were not an option due to various issues so as a child I was goalkeeper in the football and netball teams, and I loved the fast and furious game our school played of uni-hockey which is indoor teams of 4 players and only for the crazy! All sports which often saw me strapped up with twists, sprains, or broken bones from stopping the other side in their attempt to score.
I left school and had no sport to continue with.
It took another 25 years for me to stumble across archery ā simply because my son wanted to try. I had no idea that it would bring the things it has when he asked to visit a club. I certainly didnāt have any idea that on these hidden away fields and ranges I would discover a crazy crew of people who not only welcomed us all, but over the last 5 years have become my family.
Club members who laugh and cry with me and feel my pain.
County squad members who are some of the most amazingly welcoming people I have ever met! Definitely led by their captain.
Lockdown 1 saw my mental health suffer badly, I have a history with it and recognised the signs but needed help. So those archers sat virtually with me at any time of day or night ā I am grateful to them all, but especially those 2 who regularly gave up sleep to keep me company in what can be long and lonely hours in the night when your mind is beating itself up.
As we come out of lockdown 3 I can look back on a year of working hard to keep my club shooting and starting a job on Saturdays that puts me right in the middle of that archery family every weekend.
I can also say that those months have given me time to spend virtually getting to know a lot of those amazing archery people so much better because we werenāt dashing around from home to work to range. So we had a chance to communicate and strengthen friendships.
They allowed me to bounce all my crazy ideas I have as an AGB ambassador and work on projects that will hopefully start to really work as we can return to the ranges because this group of crazy people sat and listened and joined in ā because we had time!
I have an early morning walking buddy because what else is a senior coach going to do at 5:00 in the morning but watch the sunrise with a coffee!!
I guess this is a thank you mostly to every one of those people for becoming my crew, because life will pick up and we will all get busy and the time we had to chat and laugh, and cry will be gone. But they are all now stuck with me and whilst I would gladly not have had a pandemic and lockdown, I am so grateful to find that archery gave me my people, and not just folks to stand and shoot arrows next to.
Sorry Gareth, almost all of the photos of Deb and I have at least one other person in them! šš«£
What I have long believed in, is the power of sharing and supporting each other. That coming together with a common goal allows us to achieve so much more than if we see each other as competition and we try and hide what we are doing to keep it for ourselves.
I have known my friend Deb Horn for a long while and since we both volunteer at Archery GB competitions we often chat about what we are doing and how we are getting on. In short, we both have a passion for our sport and what we can help people gain by bringing it to them. We both have been working exceptionally hard in grassroots sports with a significant interest in children and how we can bring archery to them in any education setting.
Whilst we have both started from different points we found ourselves in the same place as far as barriers and issues towards what we are trying to achieve. I had already spent hours in meetings with the national governing body looking at what we could do to move some of these issues. Then when I thought we had found a solution, the club who were going to be collaborating with me and my archery in education project to pilot our plan, stepped away. As I worked on how I could adjust my plan and make a new way forward, whilst preventing the same risks occurring later down the line if I work with anyone new, I found myself at Lilleshall chatting with Deb and the issues we were each facing. So I shared my newly revised plan and asked if she would like to run a second pilot along side me.
A meeting in August with Archery GB to explain what we wanted to do, looking at my work which they knew in detail and describing how Deb found herself in the same place via a different route and the agreement was made. Middle of September some final details sorted to make it work in practise and off we set. Integr8Archery Club had to launch by 1st October through urgent necessity but now I can proudly say my friend is ready to go with Arcus Archery!! š„³
So watch this space because I believe that over the coming months we shall prove that supporting each other in common goals only makes us stronger and that there is no place for divisive attitudes. We want a world where equality, diversity and inclusion are the norm and we have both seen, for ourselves, what not just sport, but real examples of what archery can do to help change lives. Exciting times ahead Deb Horn lets see what we can do and I am proud of what Integr8archery and Arcus Archery will support each other to achieve.
