PHOEBE PINE, from Siddington, has been awarded a place on the Archery GB World Class Programme.

The UK Sport lottery-funded World Class Programme is an initiative which identifies athletes in sports who have the potential to represent their sport and win medals at an international level.

Roger Crang, of her club Deer Park Archers in Shurdington, said: "It's fantastic news and we would like to join Phoebe in celebrating it.

"There is even more hard work to come and a long journey ahead but she has come a long way since joining the club as a beginner."

Phoebe said: "I am delighted to make the Archery GB World Class programme, which confirms my position on the GB para squad.

"I am so pleased and feel it is a recognition of my hard work over the past few years. My next international competition will be in Puerto Rico in April, which is very exciting."

Cirencester College student Phoebe narrowly missed out on selection to the Paralympic Games last year but she still went to Rio as one of select band of athletes thought to be candidates for the Tokyo Games in 2020 who were given the chance to sample the whole experience and atmosphere.

Phoebe’s proud mum Alison added: "We are all thrilled for Phoebe. It's difficult to quantify the level of commitment that she has shown over the last few years and the sacrifices that she has made in order to pursue her archery career.

"The decision this week to confirm her place on the squad shows that her hard work has paid off."

Phoebe was born with spina bifida, a condition whereby the spine does not develop properly, but in archery she has found a sport in which she can flourish – she shoots perched on a stool.