9 February 2011 - GB archers earn plaudits from Secretary of State

GB archers earn plaudits from Secretary of State Lilleshall (GBR) – 9 February 2011 Alison WILLIAMSON in Athens 2004    Jeremy HUNT MP, the British Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, has backed Britain's most successful ever archer, Alison WILLIAMSON, to make it to her sixth successive Olympic Games—telling her she was a first class ambassador for British archery, and for British sport. She has also been part of the FITA Council as athletes' representative for a few years now.   He also praised Britain's Paralympic archery squad for their continued success at international competitions, and wished them well for the London Games next year.   Mr HUNT was speaking during a visit to the Performance Unit at Lilleshall National Sports Centre in the English Midlands, the home of Archery GB. He viewed the high-tech equipment used to help British archers stay competitive at the highest international level, and after some personal tuition from Athens Olympics bronze medallist WILLIAMSON, spent time chatting to the GB Paralympic archers.   He also met the Paralympian's support team, and found out first hand that there is much more to being a world class archer than turning up and shooting arrows.   "This has been a fascinating experience, and I am delighted to have had the opportunity to see the wonderful facilities available to our elite archers, and to have had a crash course in archery from Alison WILLIAMSON, one of our all-time leading Olympians," said Mr HUNT.   "To have taken part in one Olympics is an achievement; to have been to five is a phenomenal achievement, and there is no reason why she won't be there next year at the London Games, and add to the bronze medal she won in Athens. It really is a tribute to her dedication over two decades and more, and she is a credit not just to British archery, but to British sport."   "I am also full of admiration for our Paralympic archers, who consistently achieve great success on the international stage," said Mr HUNT. "I would not wish to put pressure on them, by tipping them to win lots of medals at next year's Paralympic Games. But I am very confident they will do Britain proud, as they have been doing for a long time, now."   "To see how hard they work, to see first-hand how talented they all are, and to see for myself the work of the dedicated support team around them has been a pleasure, and I congratulate them all on their achievements."   Among the archers Mr HUNT met were Danielle BROWN, the defending World and Paralympic champion, and her colleagues Mel CLARKE and Pippa BRITTON, who have dominated the compound women's team event over the past four years. The big event for the GB squad this year is the World Championships in Turin, but all admit that next year's Paralympics in London is their priority.   Said Archery GB Paralympic Head Coach Tim HAZELL: "It was lovely to have a visit from a Minister of State, and Mr HUNT showed great interest in what we have done, and what we are doing."   "I am very proud of the achievements of the British Paralympic squad, and it is much appreciated when VIP visitors show such enthusiasm for what they are doing, and what they have achieved for our country over the years."   Peter JONES Media, Archery GB Edited by World Archery Communication