Chichester archery ace sets sights on England squad

The 13-year-old from Chichester has been an England under-18 reserve and now wants to go one better and get a full call-up. The compound bowman is well on his way, too, after a year to savour.

The Chichester High School for Boys pupil and Chichester Bowmen member’s most recent success came in his first field tournament at Fort Purbrook near Portsmouth where he managed a Sussex record score of 885 to win the under-15 title. It’s one of five county records he has broken this year.

That came after he helped Sussex’s junior compound team win the southern inter-counties championship.

Cole has also tasted success at the Kent championships, the Guildford Acorn shoot, the individual southern counties championship, a Southend championship and Grand National Archery Society tournaments.

Cole is not 14 until January but is already ranked tenth among under-18 compound archers in the UK and second under-14. He was England under-18 reserve for an international in Northern Ireland and dad Nick said he wanted to go one better.

“He’s got a few more years as an under-18, obvoiusly, so has high hopes of making the squad.

“I took him to the archery world cup in Scotland and he loved it. That’s what he wants to be a part of. England’s archers doing so well in the Commonwealths has fired his interest further.”

Cole, who was Observer Community Awards best youth last year, is now preparing for tournaments in Hampshire, Surrey, Berkshire and Lilleshall.

He is keen to attract sponsors. Anyone interested should call Nick Cole on 01243 539234.