Around 90 junior archers will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Olympic bronze medal winner Alison Williamson this weekend when they compete in the Southern Counties Archery Society Junior Championships.

The shoot, taking place at Rayleigh Town Archery Club's home ground of Runwell Sports and Social Ground in Runwell Chase, will be host to junior archers from eight to 17 years old, shooting 12 dozen arrows over varying distances, according to their age group.

This year's entry is the largest for many years, and demonstrates the steady increase in numbers of people taking up the sport.

Rayleigh Town Archery Club hold beginners' courses every week at Deanes Sports College and shoots outdoors at Runwell during the summer.

The club boasts a membership of 56 adults and 48 juniors who compete at club and County level throughout Great Britain and abroad.

Tomorrow's action gets underway with the juniors shooting for the coveted titles of Southern Counties champions at 9.30am.

Published Friday September 3, 2004

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