London 2012 Paralympic archer Leigh Walmsley was a relative latecomer to the sport and says she owes everything to Royal Richmond Archery Club.
Leigh, who is originally from Detroit, Michigan, in the United States of America developed osteoarthritis following a cycling accident at the age of 11 and did not take up the sport until 2006. Despite that and a later rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis, it did not stop her from realising a dream of representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The para-archer, who reached the round of 16 in the W1/W2 women’s recurve event, admits that none of that would have ever been possible without the support she received from her first club, Royal Richmond Archery Club.
“Getting to the Paralympics is certainly my proudest achievement,” Leigh told Fen Regis Trophies. “It is probably one of the best things I have ever experienced in my life.”
Getting into Para Archery at Royal Richmond Archery Club
Though Leigh did not take up para-archery until the age of 37, she was no stranger to shooting arrows. The 2012 Paralympian enjoyed archery as a pastime as a child and, during a difficult period in her life, Leigh re-found her love for archery.
“I had done archery when I was a kid,” she said. “Not competing or anything like that, and I was at a low point in my life in 2006.
“I thought that if I don’t get out of my flat, I will never get out of it. I wanted to sign up for something that had a wide range of people involved.
“I was trying to think about what I like and what I have done that I have enjoyed, and that brought me to archery. I did a little bit of research and found that there was a club near me.”
At the time, Leigh was living in the London area and signed up to become a member of the Royal Richmond Archery Club. She remains a member to this day, despite moving to the north of England and now living in Warrington.
“I’m still a member of Royal Richmond as they were so supportive of me,” Leigh said of the archery club. “Plus, you can be an associate of other clubs
“As long as you pay your fees, you can shoot anywhere as a guest at a club as you are allowed to have an affiliate club.
“Because I am not shooting at the moment, there is no point in me doing that, though I am still paying my fee to Royal Richmond as that’s where I started, and I feel that my heart is there.”
An Inspirational President
Almost every man or woman that has played sport at any level can single out one or two particularly inspirational individuals that have helped them along the way, and Leigh is no different. She points to the late Barry Skinner, who was president of the Royal Richmond Archery Club.
While Leigh says that many saw the club’s former president as being someone with an intense exterior, she was fortunate to see a different side to a man she credits as being one of her biggest supporters.
“Everybody was afraid of him,” the para-archer said. “When I began, everyone was like ‘oh my gosh, don’t get on his bad side.
“I was like, ‘oh, I really like him’…he was just a softy who was tough on the outside.
“I would go up and give him a hug and would say ‘don’t let anyone see you!’, but he was a real softy and super supportive.”
Leigh added on the club’s late president: “Barry and his wife, Alex, had been members of the club since they were young. That’s where they met, fell in love, and got married.
“They were the president and vice president for years and years, so when I think of the club, I still think of them.”
Royal Richmond Archery Club is located in Richmond, London with the club holding regular introductory sessions for beginners. Anyone interested in joining the club as a member, or joining the waiting list for an introductory session, should email membership@royalrichmond.co.uk.
By Aaron Gratton
