By Laura Cross
Copyright grimsbytelegraph
A Louth woman is aiming for international glory after being selected as a Team GB archer for the upcoming European Championships. Natalie Stones , 27, is set to head to the 2025 tournament in Serbia after a rapid rise through the ranks in Lincolnshire. Natalie competes in the sport’s 3D discipline, typically in forest settings where distances, conditions and terrain levels vary and need to be judged. Despite being introduced to archery as a teenager, she told how she rested her bow so she could pursue her A-Levels, university and then a career with Luxus. Natalie is the Laboratory and Technical Manager at the Louth headquartered business. Now in its 60th year, the company has provided support with travel to competitions and provided the flexibility for her to compete on the world stage, while also sponsoring her PhD at the University of Lincoln. Natalie said that Luxus has provided her with ‘invaluable support’. Peter Atterby, Luxus managing director, leads a team of more than 130 wishing her well as she takes her leave from the Fairfield Industrial Estate base. He said: “We’re proud, excited and delighted to support Natalie as she represents the country at an elite level. She joined Team Luxus as part of our graduate scheme six years ago and we’re proud to back both her professional and sporting development as a member of Team GB.” Natalie also spoke about the selection process. She said after a run of scorecards over the qualifying threshold, she was selected for one of three available spots in her chosen discipline. “This would have to be the highlight of my archer career so far, being selected to shoot for Great Britain is an incredible honour and something I’m very proud of,” Natalie said. She continued: “With it being a non-Olympic sport, this is almost the furthest I can go. The World Championships are being held in the USA next year which I am hoping to be selected for. For the Europeans, I’m hoping to learn about the environment and what it is like to compete at this level with the added pressure and see what can happen.” Over nine days, Natalie will have negotiate qualifying rounds before the last 16 go head-to-head in knock-out rounds. She said: “There’s a great deal of excitement and nerves, as it is the first time I have been selected to compete for GB. I compete in the traditional category where no sights are allowed, it is more instinctive.” Get all the latest headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our newsletter. You can stay up to date with all the breaking news and top stories in our area as they happen by clicking this link.
