Archery GB announces Olympic and Olympic Ambition Squads

Three women and four men have achieved the criteria to join the Archery GB Olympic Squad ahead of Tokyo 2020.

The Archery GB Olympic programme aims to win medals at the Olympic Games and at major International events. Athletes are expected to be able to demonstrate the quality and competitive nature required by the Archery GB preparation and support programme. Seven athletes have already achieved the selection criteria, and the door remains open to anyone achieving the criteria before the end of the selection score window in March 2020.

The Olympic Squad:

Women
• Sarah Bettles
• Naomi Folkard
• Bryony Pitman

Men
• Tom Barber
• Tom Hall
• Patrick Huston
• Alex Wise

In a bid to ensure a legacy for athletes and coaches and to fulfil the need for continued development, Archery GB has created the Olympic Ambition Squad which recognises the requirement to:

• Continue the development of senior and junior Internationally competitive athletes, who are capable of challenging for Olympic Squad positions
• Provide competition and cover for athletes that have currently qualified for the Olympic Squad or Olympic selection shoot
• Offer Paris 2024 potential athletes an opportunity to be involved in an Olympic Games preparation year, allowing for a smooth transition in future years
• Continue the development of coaches that work with transitioning athletes between the Conversion Academy and Olympic Squad

Athletes invited to join the Olympic Ambition Squad have shown their shooting capability through their scores or ability to win medals, alongside a lifestyle that allows them to commit to the programme and team.

Olympic Ambition Squad:

Women:

• Kate Dunnighan
• Penny Healey
• Yulia Larkins
• Louisa Piper
• Eleanor Piper
• Lizzie Warner

Men:

• Cameron Donaldson
• Keith Harding
• Thomas Nairn
• Ryan Pinder
• Jacob Reid
• James Woodgate

The Olympic Ambition athletes and their coaches will work under the oversight of successful international coach and clinical psychologist Reinier Groenendijk, who will liaise closely with the AGB National Coach, Richard Priestman. In addition, athletes and coaches will work with a team of experts, with various skills and experience in delivering high levels of performance, including Performance Mentor and Olympic Bronze medallist Goldie Sayers, and certified NLP practitioner Liz Mynott.

Athletes and their coaches will be encouraged to take the opportunities to train with the Olympic Squad and to attend competitions and camps in appropriate international settings.

The Olympic Ambition Squad Programme will run from October to April, coming to a conclusion with the Olympic selection shoot at the Bagatir Spring Competition, Antalya, Turkey, 23-31 March 2020.

The  Recurve Team selection policy can be downloaded below.