A YOUNG archer, who shot his first arrow while on a family holiday is one step closer to competing for Great Britain

Nathan Thomas has already represented England and has now been invited to join the Great Britain Development Squad.

The 13-year-old, from Worthing, first picked up a bow and arrow at a Haven Holiday Park in Dorset and was impressed by how friendly the instructors were.

He said: “I’d always wanted to do archery so I tried it out and really enjoyed it and my love for archery has just got bigger and bigger.”

Nathan has his own personal coach, Tony Weston, from the Bedfordshire-based Archery Company and also practices at home every day, shooting at a target set up in his shed. This, he says, helps with the repetition needed to be a successful archer.

When the Worthing Archery Club member heard he had been selected to shoot for England both he and his mother were sworn to secrecy until the official announcement.

He said: “I just couldn’t stop smiling and jumping up and down. I couldn’t believe it.”

Nathan’s mother, Vickie O’Connor, is not only a proud parent, she is also a much-needed taxi service, delivering her son to training sessions and tournaments.

She said: “The only bad thing about being an archery mum is the early starts for the competitions but it is worth it. What Nathan has done is an incredible achievement and he really does deserve it.”

And Ms O’Connor believes the secret ingredient that is helping her son rise up through the ranks is his determination.

She said: “He’s got the will to progress and do the best he can. He loves it. It’s his life.”

Nathan shot for two years at Ditchling Archery Club, where he was coached by one of the members, Alan King, but is now back at his home-town club in Worthing.

He holds one national record, a clutch of club records and twenty Sussex county certificates.

He is currently ranked fourth in the UK under-14 listings and joint 14th across the UK in the under-18s age group.

Becoming a successful archer is not cheap – Nathan’s current Prime One STX bow cost in excess of £1,200 - but already his growing reputation has attracted a number sponsors including Truball Release Aids, Axcel Sights and Arrowsocks.

Archers can shoot with three different types of bow and Nathan has chosen to concentrate on a compound, not the traditional shape but definitely the fastest and most accurate.

Currently Olympic archers shoot with recurve bows.

Compounds are allowed in the Paralympics, and Nathan says the powers-that-be are trying to get them introduced into the actual Olympics.