Double delight for ace Barnes (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Double delight for ace Barnes

4:04pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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London Olympic hopeful Jodie Barnes struck gold while competing in a national archery competition.

The 16-year-old, from Clacton, also returned home with a bronze medal from the UK Championships in Lilleshall.

On the first day she shot a Metric II Round of 12 dozen arrows and scored 1,155 points.

That put her in fourth place.

Then, on Sunday, she shot a Bristol II round of 12 dozen arrows and scored 1,107 points.

It put her third overall, winning a bronze medal, and then she teamed up with three other girls from Essex to win gold in the Team Event.

While there, she was approached by the England team manager, who asked her to apply for a place in the national team.

Proud coach Jack Goding, who has worked with her since last September, told the Gazette: “Jodie has a gift and we’ve built up a good working relationship.

“I feel she has potential and would like to see her reach selection for the 2012 Olympics.

“However, the one factor likely to stop her is a lack of funds.

“It costs a lot of money to get to the venues for the shoots she needs to do, in order to get her rankings.”

Barnes, who is also a member of St Osyth’s Priory Bowman, has enjoyed great success both in and beyond Essex.

She is currently the Essex indoor champion in her age group and a member of the Essex team. In April, she went to the Malta Open with the British team and not only won her class but broke two Essex county records – one of which has stood since 1979.

She got the highest score, beating the adults, and is now looking forward to next month’s Italian Open. “She has been slowly improving her scores and I feel sure she has much further to go,” said Goding.

“She is talented and should be given the chance to get to the Olympic Games.”

Anyone interested in helping with sponsorship should contact Goding via the Clacton Archers at www.clactonarchers.co.uk

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