Archery England is a federation of the English Archery Regions, and is committed to promoting archery as an inclusive, accessible sport for all.
We select and manage English Archery teams for the Home Nations events as well as International Archery tournaments such as the Commonwealth Games, and the Commonwealth Archery Championships of Europe (CACE).
Our committee is made up of representatives from all the English regions, along with our executive team, and is responsible for the running of Archery England, as well as the various English Championships, teams, and the development of archery in England.
We maintain close ties to Archery GB (the national governing body for Archery in the UK), the Commonwealth Games Federation and World Archery as well as the other home nations.
Chairman – Marc Grady
Following full career in the Royal Navy (27 years) I started archery in 2005. I enjoyed shooting recurve for a couple of years, representing county and regional teams before making my first longbow in 2008. I still have my recurve and have been known to put in a performance with it when called upon to do so but I have been a devoted longbow archer ever since. Since 2006, I have not been without an officer role of some sort within the archery community. From Club Records Officer to Club Secretary, Club Representative for the County, County Secretary, County Rep to WMAS, WMAS Rep to EAF and eventually Chairman of EAF in 2014. In 2011, I joined the Craft Guild of Traditional Bowyers & Fletchers, becoming a qualified Master Bowyer in 2014. After serving 7 years on the Court of the Guild, I became the Warden in 2021. Since 2012 I have been a full-time longbow maker and archery artisan, making bespoke bows for members of the Royal Toxophilite Society, Woodmen of Arden, Royal Company of archers and BLBS. A member of the Royal Toxophilite Society since 2010 and invited to join the Committee in 2013, I became the annually elected Chairman in 2015, a position I still hold. In 2020 I was invited to accept the Freedom of the Worshipful Company of Bowyers in London.
Despite my obvious adherence to the English longbow, I am passionate about all forms of archery but even more passionate on behalf of archers themselves. Giving as many archers as possible, young and old, the opportunity to progress and compete for their Country and beyond is the real joy beneath my service as Chairman.
Secretary – Lynne Evans MBE
Lynne has been an archer for nearly 60 years, selected as a GBR international for the World Championships in Amersfoort in 1967, continuing through to 1993, including the Olympic Games Munich in 1972. In 1993 she was elected to the Governing Body FITA as it was then, now World Archery, becoming a Vice President in 1997 a position held for 8 years which in turn enabled Lynne to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Games in various technical roles from 1996 to 2012. At home, Lynne having served on the GNAS National Council for 10 years and then elected to Director of Finance was in 2004 elected to the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors of the NGB – GNAS / Archery GB; an executive board member of the British Olympic Association, and member of UK Sport Major Events programme. Over this period Lynne was involved in the organising committees delivering World, European and International Championships at home and overseas, and since 2014 has been a key member of the work party for the Youth Festival held annually at Lilleshall NSC an event which now includes the Commonwealth Archery Youth Championships Europe. In 2010 she joined The English Archery Federation Committee, taking the role of Secretary in 2011 to date.
It was in 1997 that Lynne was awarded the MBE for Services to Archery in The Queens’ Birthday Honours List.
Lynne explains that it is her hope that her experience across so many aspects of archery, as a competitor, volunteer, and administrator has enabled Archery England to gain a higher profile across the archery community. She continues to be involved in many aspects of the sport as Club President of her local Club, Company Secretary of the Archery Foundation and Secretary of the Royal Toxophilite Society amongst other activities, Lynne now in her 70’s she still shoots regularly for fitness, companionship and enjoyment of shooting in the bow.
Treasurer – Carol Bladen
I began shooting in 1988 after doing a Have-a-Go archery session and have been shooting ever since. I shot a recurve bow for 30 years but have recently changed to compound. I enjoy competing and have won many trophies and medals over the years, representing club and county. I am a county level coach and enjoy coaching archers of every ability from novice and beginner to the experienced competitive archer.
I am passionate about supporting and developing club and grassroots archers as well as supporting the England squad and team and believe my experiences as a competitor will enable me to represent archers of all abilities.
I am now my county secretary and am an active committee member of both my club and my county. I am also part of the AGB safeguarding team and bring that experience and knowledge to Archery England.
I have been treasurer of Archery England for 4 years and am keen to continue to promote and develop archery in England.