Unstrung Archery

This one’s been a little while in the making, but it’s absolutely worth the wait. In this two-part episode, we sit down with Dannie Palmer and Unstrung Archery Ambassador Stewart Ward to unpack their experience at the National Teams Championships — from the build-up and preparation, through the pressures of shooting at that level, to the moments that really test you on the line. We talk mindset, t...

Woah, woah, woah — hang on a minute! This isn’t your usual Unstrung Archery episode… It’s a special bonus drop because we’ve got BIG news. The Unstrung Archery Postal League (UAPL) is officially live for the 2025/26 season! Running from November to March , it’s just £2 per entry , and you can shoot from your home club while being part of a national (and hopefully international!) competition. In th...

In this episode of Unstrung Archery , Neil Hickman and Nye O’Neil are joined by Jesse Phillips , scout leader and passionate archer, to dive into the world of archery within scouting. Together, they explore how the sport can help young people build confidence, focus, and resilience, all while fostering teamwork and camaraderie. Jesse shares stories from their experience leading scouts in archery,...

In this powerhouse episode of Unstrung Archery , Neil Hickman and Nye O’Neil sit down with none other than Patrick Huston OLY — two-time Olympian, GB team legend, and now a pioneer in online archery education. We dive into Patrick’s new “3D Aiming” course and the philosophy behind it, before branching into an honest and insightful chat about the real challenges archers face — from beginner pitfall...

In this episode of Unstrung Archery , Neil Hickman and Nye O’Neil are joined by fellow Archery GB Ambassador Mandie Elson , who’s been making waves through her volunteer work and community outreach. From supporting the British Transplant Games to working on making archery more inclusive for the Deaf community , Mandie shares her experiences, the lessons she’s learned, and what drives her passion f...

In this episode of Unstrung Archery, Nye and Neil recap the West of Scotland Indoor Championships held at the Sportscotland National Sports Training Centre in Inverclyde. Day 1 featured a Double Portsmouth, while Day 2 brought the heat with the Vegas and WA18 rounds. Nye caught up with Linda (Bloom in Fitness) and Jonny (Scottish Archery) for their thoughts on the action, and had a great chat with...

Saddle up for an exhilarating ride as Unstrung Archery ventures into the thrilling world of horseback archery ! In this episode, Neil and Nye are joined by John and Lauran , both accomplished coaches with the British Horseback Archery Association (BHAA) and Team GB representatives. Horseback archery isn’t just archery on horseback—it’s an entirely different discipline that blends speed, precision,...

Welcome back to Unstrung Archery ! Season 2 kicks off with an exciting deep dive into the Northern England University Archery League (NEUAL) . Joining us is Philip Taylor , a key figure in university archery, to explore how NEUAL has shaped the student archery scene, fostered competitive spirit, and provided a gateway for new archers. We discuss the league’s history and its impact on mainstream co...

In this heartwarming and insightful episode of Unstrung Archery , Neil and Nye are joined by Manisha Solomon, host of the Archery Parent Podcast and proud parent of Reece, an international recurve archer representing Team Canada. Together, they explore the unique challenges and joys of raising a junior archer, offering practical advice and personal stories to guide parents through every stage of t...

In this heartwarming and giggle-filled episode of Unstrung Archery , we sit down with two rising stars in the archery world—Isla and Emelia. At just a young age, they’ve already made their mark, moving swiftly from beginners to champions, and we couldn’t wait to hear their story. We dive into their early days, uncovering what sparked their passion for archery and their first arrow-shooting memorie...

This special takeover episode invites the host and producer of The Archery Parent Podcast Manisha Solomon to turn the tables and interview your Unstrung Archery hosts Nye & Neil. Talking in depth about the podcast's development, and how we got to be where we are now after 18 months of our podcast journey. Sit back and enjoy this in-depth interview and learn more about the show, and a little ab...

Join us as we dive deep into the world of clout archery with the legendary Martin Leonard owner of Northern Archery ! 🏹 Whether you're aiming high or still wondering what clout is, this episode will have you covered. From epic long-distance shots 🌳 to the perfect technique for landing in the clout circle 🎯, we break down the finer points of this unique discipline. Get ready for pro tips , some...

In this episode of Unstrung Archery , Neil & Nye dive into the fascinating world of archery judging with the highly respected Archery GB Regional Judge for NCAS/LAA, Juliet Spedding. Have you ever wondered what it takes to make the tough calls and ensure a fair game in the heat of competition? Juliet, with her years of experience and a sharp eye for detail, shares her journey from archer to ju...

We sent Nye north to the beautiful Ayr to witness the first ever JAS stage outside of England and what a weekend it was! Hear from archers, parents, judges and field party for those who made the day a whopping success. Well done to everyone who shot, despite the wind, and performed so well and put on a fantastic show!

In this riveting episode of Unstrung Archery, we delve into the inspiring story behind Project Rimaya with special guests Yvonne Stead and Sumaiyah Solker. Yvonne Stead, Archery GB's NCAS Regional Development Officer, and Sumaiyah Solker from Active Lancashire join us to discuss this groundbreaking initiative that’s transforming communities through the power of archery. Discover how Project Ri...

This episode looks back on the girls’ experiences at the recent Indoor European Championships in Croatia

For any archer who's been looking for sports support, give our latest episode with Holly Calvert a listen 😊 We talk about Holly's experiences as a Pro Golfer, and the difficulties finding support - from physiotherapists to psychologists - and how a chance meeting with Nicole led to them finding AthleteNow, a free directory to network with sports practitioners! https://theathletenow.com We also ge...

Join us in this special episode as we honour Neurodiversity Week by delving into the realm of neurodiversity within the archery community. Discover firsthand accounts and personal insights that illuminate how individuals with neurodivergent conditions find joy and excel in archery. From navigating unique challenges to harnessing exceptional focus, this episode celebrates the diverse experiences an...

The Junior Archery Series is an amazing way for Juniors to experience big shoots across the country. This year sees the first stage of the tour held outside England, hosted by the West of Scotland Archery Association in Ayr! In this upcoming episode, which will coincide with entries opening on Sport 80 on the 29th of February; we’re joined by Alastair Shields, president of the West of Scotland Arc...

Get ready to soar through the skies with bows and arrows in hand! In this gripping episode of Unstrung Archery, we dive into the thrilling world of flight archery with none other than world record holder, Stef Probert. Join Neil and Nye as they explore the incredible achievements of world record holder Stef Probert in the realm of distance archery. From the meticulous technique to the adrenaline-p...

It's announcement time! After months of planning and keeping things under the hood, Neil finally gets to tell us all about what he's been up to after being announced as one of the latest AGB Ambassadors! To find out more about the Ambassador programme you can visit this link! Also a big shoutout to Patience Wood who is also trying to fundraise for her trip to compete in the European Indoor Champio...

We talk a lot about the benefits of archery to our mental wellbeing, however, an often-overlooked aspect is how performance can harm our wellbeing. Trigger warning – This episode contains in-depth discussions of mental health problems. If you’re experiencing ANY form of mental ill health, PLEASE reach out for support and to mental health services! We’ve attached as many links as we can on our Link...

Prepare to up your archery game! In this episode, we sit down with the seasoned archer and competition maestro, Bob Wilde. We're delving into the grassroots of archery, exploring a myriad of tips and tricks for running your very own successful competition. From venue selection to creating an inclusive atmosphere, Bob shares the insights that make a grassroots-level event memorable. Plus, don't mis...

🎯 Unstrung Archery Episode 4: "From Novice to National Tour" with Zara Longlands 🌟 Join us on a journey of grit, determination, and unwavering passion for archery in this latest episode. Our special guest, Zara Longlands, shares her incredible story of starting as a novice archer and ascending to the national tour. Discover the challenges and triumphs that shaped her archery journey, and gain in...

🏹 Unstrung Archery Episode 3: The Barebow Revolution with Helen Brown 🌟 In this electrifying episode, we dive deep into the heart of the Barebow Revolution with the remarkable Helen Brown. From novice to champion, Helen's archery journey is a testament to the transformative power of this archery movement. Join us as we explore the inclusivity, challenges, and enduring appeal of Barebow arche...