Archery GB caught up with each athlete to hear their thoughts on this momentous achievement:
Bryony Pitman (28)
“I’m really excited about heading to Paris. It’s great that we only qualified a couple of weeks ago as we’re on that high from a good performance and to have everyone qualified is amazing as a Games on your own could be a lonely experience.
“I’m definitely going to take some learnings from Tokyo where I put too much pressure on myself and struggled with the atmosphere which made it difficult for me to feel comfortable. It was only in the last couple of individual rounds where I started to enjoy myself, so that’s something I’m going to focus on in Paris. I want to enjoy it from the start and make the most of the opportunity and hopefully the performance will follow.
“Ultimately the goal would be a medal, but I’m going to make sure I stick to my process and how I do things so that I can perform to the best of my ability. My parents, brother and boyfriend are all going to come and watch which will be brilliant – with no crowds in Tokyo, that’s definitely going to be a plus in Paris.”
Read more about Bryony’s journey here: https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/bryony-pitman
Penny Healey (19)
“It’s my first Olympics so it’s always going to be exciting. Qualification felt amazing, especially as we secured the spots so close to the Games, I feel like that’s really going to help us a lot. I’m glad that we can ride the wave into Paris.
“To have the six of us going is fantastic – more people means more medal chances.
“We now have a training camp, a prep camp and National Tour events in the lead up. I really want to go in feeling happy and confident.
“As it’s my first Games, I’m not putting too much pressure on myself but there’s always the hope of a medal.”
Get to know Penny better https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/penny-healey
Megan Havers (16)
“I am so excited about heading to Paris. The atmosphere is going to be amazing and I’m looking forward to the whole experience.
“I was seven when I first tried archery on a Haven holiday with my family. We just decided to give it a go and the instructor said I was a natural. Me and my granddad had a competition and I beat him which I was really pleased about! Then I got a beginner’s course as a present for my eighth birthday and I bought a bow a few months later before going on to represent my county, region and then the country. I was only part of my first senior team in March this year!
“My mum always jokes to me how different things would have been if we hadn’t gone on that Haven holiday.
“I’ve only just finished my GCSEs and ended up having to complete two exams – English language and Biology – out in Croatia while I was competing. One of them I had to do right after a medal match, and I didn’t finish until 10pm.
“I’m going to soak everything in when I’m at the Games. I’m at the start of my Olympic career, so I want to shoot my best and leave knowing I’ve done that. I shoot best when I’m relaxed so that’s going to be my aim.
“My mum, dad, brother and sister are all coming out to watch – they’ve even made a sign!”
Discover Megan’s story https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/megan-havers
Alex Wise (23)
“I’m most looking forward to getting out there and expressing myself with my teammates in front of what I think is going to be an 8,000-strong crowd.
“The finals range is where I shoot best so I’m looking forward to performing on that stage. Get me to the Olympics and I’ll put on a show – I really enjoy shooting under pressure.
“Qualifying was intense but also probably the best day of my life so far. It was such a joyful experience and a huge release when we did it.”
Learn more about Alex’s archery journey https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/alex-wise
Conor Hall (28)
“It’s a dream of mine to be a member of Team GB and I can’t wait to head to Paris, I’m really looking forward to it. With qualifying so late, it’s actually been a good thing as we’re still on the up as we head into the Games.
“I would love a team medal with the guys, it would be incredible. There are 12 teams competing, so we definitely have a chance.
“We now have a couple of training camps at Lilleshall, where we’ll all be together. Some of the junior team members will be coming in to shoot with us and help us prepare.
“I started archery at Campbell College when I was 11. They were really supportive, and we had one of the best coaches, Audrey Needham. The school has now produced two Olympic archers, myself and Patrick Huston who competed in Rio and Tokyo. They must be doing something right!”
Read about Conor’s path to the Olympics https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/conor-hall
Tom Hall (33)
“I’m really excited and feel like we’re rolling into Paris hot, everyone’s ready to go.
“We’ve all been competing hard for the last few months with lots of tournaments abroad. Having the Games ‘next door’ feels good – it feels more local and a chance to see friends and family which I didn’t get in Tokyo. We’ll definitely feel the extra support, plus only having an hours’ time difference means people will be awake when we’re shooting!
“I’ve competed in Paris before so there will be a feeling of familiarity although it will obviously look very different. Experience has taught me that it is still just another archery competition despite all the lights and colours.
“I first picked up a bow at University when I was 20. I was just looking for something to do and their T-shirts were cool! I took part in my first beginners’ competition six weeks later. I wasn’t that great, but I enjoyed having a team I could compete for and feeling like I could improve. Everyone was really supportive and encouraging. University archery was definitely where I grew and learnt a lot.
“It’s something that’s given me focus in the past five or six years. It really helped through Covid.
“While I want to do well individually, I care most about the team. It means such a lot when you shoot well together.”
Find out more about Tom’s experience https://archerygb.org/performance/national-squads/tom-hall
Patrick Huston and Thea Rogers have been named as non-travelling reserves.
Tom Duggan, Director of Performance at Archery GB, said: “I’m delighted for the athletes selected to represent Team GB in Paris this summer.
“Bryony and Penny have shown this cycle what they are capable of at World Cup level, with both being World Number 1 in the last year. Megan has come into the team, alongside finishing her GCSE’s and has added consistency and character to the team.
“The men have developed a really strong sense of belief and momentum this season, and showed at the preparation events and Final Qualification Tournament that they are building nicely towards the Games.
“The athletes selected came through an exhaustive selection process that started last year and whilst only six can attend the Games, it’s also important to acknowledge the role that Thea Rogers and Patrick Huston have played this year as reserves. The energy and commitment they brought to the teams at the competitions leading into the qualification event was crucial in helping the teams perform to the level they did in Turkey.
“Both the teams have been building towards the Games and showed the levels they are capable of last week at the Final Qualification Tournament in Turkey and we are looking forward to seeing them perform to their potential in Paris.
“Qualification, selection and preparation for an Olympics is the product of a lot of hard work and commitment from athletes and WCP staff alike as well as the sacrifices, commitment and support of the athletes’ friends and families. The athletes and Archery GB wanted to recognise the contribution of those individuals and groups who have played a significant role in each athlete’s introduction and development within the sport and journey to Paris.”
Olympic World Class Programme Support Team:
Staff Team for Paris:
Chelsea Orme (Psychologist)
Kieran McMahon (Physio)
Naomi Folkard (Women’s Team Coach)
Nicky Hunt (Men’s Team Coach)
Tom Duggan (Team Leader)
Olympic WCP Support Team:
Charlotte Burgess (Performance Coach)
Chris Wanford (S&C Coach)
Ellie Ayres (Physio)
James Maurice (Psychologist)
Katy Cumming (Performance Operations Manager)
Rich Collins (Head of Performance Support)
Rikki Bingham (Olympic Performance Manager)
Sarah Smith (Performance Lifestyle Adviser)
The entire archery community is behind our Team GB squad, cheering them on as they chase Olympic glory in Paris! We look forward to sharing their journey in the coming months.
