The Fletchers Trust recently received an update from Christine Burdett-Clark, who the Trust supported with a grant for new equipment.
Christine is currently undergoing a complete change with her archery – for six years she shot a compound bow, but after receiving “Para Classification” at the National Talent Development Programme at Lilleshall (the home of Archery GB), it was agreed that due to her conditions, it would be better for her to swap and shoot a recurve bow.
She has undertaken this with support through the grant she was given, and also with the support of International Coach Koorush at Southampton Archery Club. She goes on the explain that she is now beginning to “outgrow” the limits of the basic set up she obtained to switch to recurve and will soon need to move onto better equipment if she wishes to achieve her Para athlete elite goals. Christine has also been welcomed by Quicks Archery to their Pro Team.
Notwithstanding her desire to achieve success within Archery, Christine has also immersed herself in “giving back” within the sport, with the following……
Christine has completed her Archery GB Session Coach qualification and is now looking to complete her Development Coach qualification. With Archery helping her mental health, she loves helping the disabled archery community, particularly when she is unable to shoot herself. She has become the only wheelchair coach in the Southampton Archery Club and helps on a wider scale across Hampshire.
One of her initiatives has been to create a Facebook Page – (search for “The Disabled Archer”) which gives her the opportunity to highlight events and articles for the disability community.
Not content with the above, Christine has also been volunteering for Archery GB as a disabled Ambassador, working closely with Archery GB staff and assisting with queries received, and writing articles for publication.
Another of Christines own initiatives is organising a Para Event (to be held in July) – at a local school on this first occasion, but possibly for Clubs, Schools and Coaches in the future. The idea is basically “reverse integration” – She teaches non-disabled students to shoot, and then gives them a lesson in wheelchair use, ending with them learning the difference between standing to shoot and shooting from a wheelchair.
If all that wasn’t enough, Christine also continues to develop herself in other areas – attending lots of CPD courses and is now on the rota to possibly become an online tutor. She has completed her NFCE Mental Health First Aiders and Advocate course to further her ability to understand the people she coaches and helps. This was with the help of Deer Park Archers who pointed her in the right direction for the course.
Christine continues to have health problems which need treating but is staying positive and continuing to spread the word about the sport and it’s diversity through her work mentioned earlier. She remains thankful to both the sport itself and the Fletchers Trust for giving her so many new opportunities, and the opportunity for her to help others.