Highlights

Before the season began, I was shooting 26lb limbs and could just about reach 70m, which limited me to competitions up to 60 yards. Over the months I gradually increased my poundage to 30lb through sporadic SPT work and more consistent shooting.

This increase opened the door to entering National Tour waitlists, which felt like a big step forward. My main goal was to reach a B1 classification score of 541. I achieved this, then set myself a stretch target to break 600. I managed it with a 606 at Cleeve Archers' head to head, where I ranked 4th.

Another milestone was earning National Tour ranking points. At the Surrey leg, I seeded 64th, won my first match, and finished 33rd, securing my first ranking points on the Tour.

Lessons learned

After doing the Surrey development program with some great coaches, I felt eager and ready to kick off the season. This coincided with a few weeks off between jobs in April, which I used to sharply increase my arrow volume and training time.

All was going well until halfway through the Bucks & Bounty leg of the National Tour, when my middle finger went completely numb. After speaking with my doctor and then a nerve specialist, it was diagnosed as neuropraxia.

I should have taken six weeks out immediately, but with competitions already paid for, I chose to reduce my volume instead. This did not work, as the numbness returned after around 72 arrows.

This experience has taught me the importance of building volume gradually, week over week, rather than making sharp increases.

Looking ahead

My focus is on steady progression without repeating the mistakes of this season. That means increasing training volume gradually, building strength through consistent SPT work, and keeping recovery a priority alongside practice.

Next outdoor season, I want to achieve a Master Bowman classification and aim for consistent performances above 600 at 70m. With another year of strength and experience, I believe I can compete more strongly on the National Tour and continue moving up the rankings.

The long-term goal is to put myself in position for higher classifications and to keep building towards international-level scores.