A Paralympian, an Olympian and two international judges have been presented with diplomas and plaquettes for their significant contribution to archery over many years.
World Archery (WA) presents diplomas and plaquettes at Congress every two years. This year, in Berlin, awards were presented to four Archery GB members for their significant contribution to international archery.
Hannah Brown was presented with a silver plaquette in recognition of her input to the WA Field and 3D Committee where she was Chair for the last eight years, as well as her role as an International Judge, including in Tokyo as the first female Chair of Judges at an Olympic Games, and Technical Delegate for events such as the World Games in Birmingham Alabama. Hannah has led major changes to Field and 3D rules aimed at making competitions fairer, more exciting and broadcast friendly.
A bronze plaquette went to double Paralympian and double World Champion Pippa Britton OBE who is Deputy Chair of the WA Para Committee, having started as an athlete representative in 2011. Pippa works to remove barriers to participation in para archery, such as defining a streamlined process for classification of Visually Impaired archers, in order to grow numbers around the world.
Five times Olympian Naomi Folkard also received a bronze plaquette, for her contribution to the WA Athlete Committee. As Chair of the Committee, Naomi was also a member of the WA Executive Board and brought the athletes’ voice to discussions about rule changes. She was influential in the establishment of support for elite archers during the Covid pandemic and in the management of return to shooting post Covid.
Finally, Derrick Lovell MBE was awarded a diploma as he steps down from the WA Constitution and Rules Committee after more than six years. Before this, Derrick was a member of the WA Field Archery Committee and later Chair of the WA Field and 3D Committee, as well as being a much-respected International Judge, including Chair of Judges at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He was awarded a Bronze plaquette in 2011 and a Silver plaquette in 2015. Derrick also made a huge contribution to archery in the UK over more than fifty years as a coach, judge, committee member and President.
Hilda Gibson, Archery GB's International Relations Lead, said: "Congratulations to Hannah, Pippa, Naomi and Derrick. To have four awards go to one country is unusual and reflects the significant contribution Archery GB makes to the international governing body of our sport.
"I would like to wish Derrick all the best in his retirement following his last shoot in the summer. There is only one Derrick Lovell and it’s sad to see you go."
