A Brent Knoll youngster whose ambition is to compete at the Olympics in archery has won a top national tournament.
Darragh Joyce, 11, a pupil at Highbridge’s King Alfred School, won the Under 12 recurve archery title at the weekend.
He has been taking part in the sport for three years, having taken it up with his father Adam.
“This year has seen him become the Somerset indoor and outdoor champion, the South West regional indoor and outdoor champion, as well as medalling on both days of this year’s Junior National Outdoor Championships back in July,” proud Adam told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“Based on his outdoor scores this season he is the number 1 ranked under-12 recurve archer in Great Britain.”
On Saturday he won the U12 recurve title at the Junior National Indoor Championships, which were held near Warwick, with a score of 532 out of a possible 600, beating the boy in second place by ten points.
Adam added: “At the championships, Darragh was shooting at a target 60cm wide at a distance of 20 yards and had to shoot 60 arrows. He shoots a recurve bow which is the Olympic bow style and his ultimate goal is to go to the Olympics.”
In September, Darragh represented the victorious Somerset County Junior Archery Team at the south west intercounties competition. He is also a member of the Burnham Company of Archers who are based at the town’s BASC ground.
Anyone interested in trying archery can contact the club via www.burnhamcompanyofarchers.co.uk and organise to come down and have a go under expert guidance in a friendly environment.
