Andrea Gales joins British para archery coaching team

Andrea Gales, a compound medallist on the world circuit with Great Britain, has joined the British para archery team as a full-time coach, two years out from the next Paralympic Games in Tokyo.

Gales finished fourth at the Hyundai Archery World Cup Final in 2010 and reached a high of number 16 in the world rankings one year prior.

“I have a passion for coaching, love being in and around the sport and have such an amazing bond with the Paralympic archery team that I already cannot wait to see where we can go this year,” said Gales.

Great Britain led the medal table at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, not least thanks to a sweep of the women’s W1 podium.

A restructure of the management positions across the British squads over recent years led to Richard Priestman taking over the Olympic performance programme one year out from Rio 2016, the departure of Paralympic coach Mike Peart in December 2017 and now the addition of a proven international compound archer.

“I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge, fun and enjoyment of the sport, knowing how to deal with the highs and lows of international shooting and competing under world-class pressure,” said Gales.

The 45-year-old made her international debut at the Archery World Cup stage in Santo Domingo in 2008.

She finished third at the leg in Porec that same year and accrued 21 world appearances as part of the British team through 2016, and continues to compete at major events domestically and on the world indoor circuit.

Archery GB is the national federation for the sport of archery in Great Britain.