ARCHERY: Emily has a real eye for the target

In that time, the 12-year-old from Rustington has won gold medals at county competitions, has shot for Angmering-based club Arundown, and has been selected to represent Sussex.

Her father, Richard, said: "We joined this time last year because we just wanted to do something as a family together at the weekend.

"Very quickly, two coaches said Emily had potential and she got selected for Sussex.

"She tends to play it down when she wins competitions, and when she won the gold medal at the Sussex Junior outdoor competition, she was more pleased to have won an MP3 shower unit in the raffle.

"We practice four times a week, and it's a big part of Emily's life and she's very keen on it. At her age, I don't think she realises how good she is. Her 13-year-old brother, Joshua, also shoots, although he does it just for fun."

Richard and Emily will spend three-to-four hours practicing on Saturdays and Sundays, plus two-to-three hours on Wednesdays and Fridays at Arundown Archery Club, which is based at Angmering School.

On Saturdays, they practice at Worthing Archery Club, where they are also members. Many of the tournaments Emily enters will last for six hours.

Arundown have around 30 members and the club has been going since the 1950s. They moved their base to Angmering School from The Sportsfield a few years ago.

It is not a cheap sport to take up, though, and Richard said: "The equipment can be expensive. Emily's set-up is just over 500, and mine is between 800 to 900. As an adult, I'll keep it for a number of years but juniors have to upgrade every so often.

"And, when you the break the odd arrow, it costs you about 13."

Starting equipment can be bought for around 200, but the equipment Richard and Emily use is competition class.

Arundown have two qualified coaches and there are five training sessions a week. The club's beginner courses are held on Friday evenings, and sometimes Sunday mornings by arrangement. For more information visit www.arundown.org.uk

-----------------------------

Click here to return to Gazette sport.

Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.

Email the Gazette: [email protected]