The scheme, which is open to all young archers and will be run each year, drew 235 applications. Of those, 120 made it through to phase two. Catherine Dales, 13 of Bowmen of Leeds and Wetherby High School archery club said it had been 20 weeks of working on drills and skills, strength and conditioning and technique. She said: "They are now looking at us to see how we have developed, give us feedback on what we need to do to progress and place us on our pathway."

Now all 120 are anxiously waiting to see if they will be among the 60 who make it through to phase three. Those who do not will be given advice on how to progress and train and what areas they need to work on to be in contention next year.

Those who do make it through to phase three will be placed on a slightly different pathway. Some will be asked to work on specific parts of their shooting, others will be earmarked for the new Regional Talent Academies and, for the best of the best, there could be an invitation to join Archery GB's Talent Confirmation programme.

Performance Director Sara Symington praised everyone involved. She said: "This is step one and will require tons of commitment and sacrifice from everyone to reach the summit of the mountain - the Olympic podium. This gives us the forward momentum we need and a solid foundation for the future."

Archery GB is sponsored by Foresters Friendly Society

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