A local voluntary organisation has chosen to provide a promising young archer with the financial support to allow her to realise her sporting dreams.
Iulia Petrie, a pupil at Corby technical School and member of Corby Archers, has achieved the title of under 16 British Ladies Champion Bristols III in Archery, thanks to funding for coaching and competition expenses from The Travers Foundation.
The 14 year old only recently discovered her passion for the sport after attending an evening archery session. She is now also the Northamptonshire Junior Ladies Compound under 18 champion indoor and outdoor, regional EMAS Junior Ladies Compound champion, and has made claims for three national records.
Set up in 2012, The Travers Foundation is a county-based charity which helps 13 to 30-year-olds living in Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts.
Chairman, Terry Forsey, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist Iulia with funding towards her coaching and competition expenses. She is clearly a very talented young archer and wants to represent Archery GB on the international stage.”
Iulia’s sporting aspirations for 2017 and beyond are to represent Archery GB in international competitions, retain her existing titles and to win the overall junior national indoor under 18 championship.
In a recent announcement from UK Sport, the body responsible for promoting and supporting sport across the country, it was revealed that archery is one of a number of Olympic disciplines to have had its funding withdrawn – along with badminton, fencing, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby.
Mr Forsey added: “Sadly UK Sport is no longer offering funding for archery, so charities like ours are trying to step into the breach and help out where we can. We wish Iulia every success for the future.”
The foundation has also offered support to other sporting hopefuls from the area, including long-distance runner, Isaac Akers, tennis player, Joe Tyler and hurdler, Lucy Hatton.
By Jennifer Morris
