Master Bowman Mike aims for the top
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MASTER bowman Mike Alexander has his sights firmly fixed on more Scotland honours.
The Elgin archer was capped twice for his country and finished the 2011 outdoor season ranked fourth in Scotland.
He became the first ever Moray Archery Club member to achieve master bowman status, placing him in the top 5% in the UK.
His next target is to earn the tag of grand master bowman, but to do that he will need to break into the top 1% in the country.
"It was an honour to be picked for Scotland and I want to get back in the team next year," he said.
Unassuming Alexander was simply looking for a hobby when he was first persuaded to pick up a bow at the age of 40 by Moray Council colleague Andrew Kelly, who is chief club coach.
Four years later, the IT specialist is one of the top archers in the country and looking to break into the top 50 ranked GB competitors.
He has already been invited to take part in winter training again with the Scottish squad and his master bowman status will see him line up in the UK Masters event next year.
"That is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am looking forward to it," he said.
His amazing progress has been achieved despite the fact the local club does not have a 90 metre outdoor facility – the distance the top outdoor events are held at – on which to practise.
"I would also like to make a special mention of my wife, Jacqui. I wouldn’t have been able to do what I have done without her support and encouragement."
Jacqui is also an accomplished archer and reigning Northern Area indoor and outdoor ladies’ champion.
Moray coach Andrew Kelly paid tribute to Alexander’s progress in the sport. "He has put a lot of time and effort into it. This is not just a case of coming down once a week and shooting some arrows. There is a lot of training behind the scenes and travelling to competitions involved," he said.
Alexander’s only regret is that the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland will not have archery on its list of events, which would have given him another target to aim at.
Anyone interested in finding out more about beginner sessions at the club should e-mail moray.archery@btinternet.com
