Paralympian and 2018 Disability Championship recurve gold medallist Tania Nadarajah has been working with the Worshipful Company of Fletchers since becoming involved in the sport. This is her take on the event - and what the Company means to her.
"This ancient livery company has supported disabled archers. including members of the GB Para squad and Archery GB initiatives for many years. And now the Company has extended its support to the Disability Championships for a second year to provide a platform for archers with physical impairments to compete at a national event."
"Day one began with a ranking round followed by elimination matches, including finals for non classified archers. Lilleshall's main field lived up to its reputation for changeable winds, putting the archers' skills to the test, but did little to hamper the high level of competition."
"Day two saw World Archery classified archers battle it out for the title of Disability Champion. As top seed in the recurve women category, I made it to the gold medal match and was delighted to win 6-0 against GB teammate. Hazel Chaisty."
"It was a great occasion - but the Company is so much more. It has been a source of massive support for me since the early days of my archery career. It helped to fund a second set of equipment when I was selected to represent GB internationally for the first time. That made all the difference because I was not funded in any way at that time."
"In 2016, I was invited to speak at the installation dinner for the Company's new Master - and on behalf of Archery GB to collect the final cheque in the Road to Rio initiative. This gave me the opportunity to meet several of the Company in person and they have kept an eye on my progress ever since then."
"Last year. I visited the City of London Freeman's School in Ashtead twice. It is supported by the Company and I was there to speak to their pupils about my journey and continue to help raise the profile of disability archery."
"And now I have received another honour: being made a Freeman of the Company. It is in recognition of that work but being honoured alongside 2016 Paralympic medallists Jo Frith, John Walker, Jess Stretton, John Stubbs and Jodie Grinham just makes it even more special."
ARCHERY UK Autumn 2018