ROCHDALE archer Christopher Oldham has recently been crowned National Junior Champion and now has high hopes for when he turns 18.
Chris is a member of the Rochdale Company of Archers who shoot at the Rochdale Rugby Union Football Club’s Bamford ground, using both indoor and outdoor facilities.
The 17-year-old has been taking part in the sport for eight years after becoming interested while out on a walk. "I was out walking the dog when I saw archers on the golf course," he said.
Chris says that the appeal of the sport has a lot to do with the atmosphere at the Rochdale club: "I’ve got a lot of friends when I go shooting and it means I get to spend lots of time with them."
But as enjoyable as the sport is, Chris says the hobby doesn’t come cheaply. The compound bow Chris uses set him back around £600, not including the add-ons needed for extra precision.
However, the investment has already started paying off for the teenager who won the National Junior Championships in Shropshire a few weeks ago, and has been representing Lancashire at regional level.
The last big competition of the season for Chris is the Cheshire Junior Championships which will take place on 31 August in Chester. And after that Chris will be aiming high: "I would like to shoot for Great Britain. It would be when I turn senior so it’s at least one year until that could happen."
