In The Press
Change Brings London Into Andy's Sights
From The Bath Chronicle Thu 20 Jan, 2011
Archery - A Bath teacher has the London 2012 Olympics in his sights after a switch in sports sparked remarkable success. Andy Melton, who is Director of The Royal High's Sixth Form College, flew out to Nimes in France this week to take part in a major international archery tournament. The European Festival of Archery will bring together top archers from 23 countries and is one of the sport's most prestigious events. For 46 year old Melton, qualification for the tournament is a landmark on his journey to becoming a force to be reckoned with on the international archery circuit. He only took up the sport in 2009 and has since rapidly risen up the rankings, bagging an impressive tally of medals and trophies. Melton had a long and successful sporting career as a top amateur cyclist and won many titles, including the Welsh National Mountain Bike Championship. In 2006 he posted the fastest time at the gruelling 100 mile Dragon Ride through the Welsh mountains and as recently as two years ago was still out-pedalling most of his rivals, taking first place in the veteran's section of the Western League Cycle Cross championship. But a viral infection and subsequent severe allergic reaction left him with permanent joint damage, forcing him to retire from competitive cycling. "I always knew that one day I would have to take up another sport," he said. "The illness just brought it forward a few years. Archery requires intense concentration and focus, and also a lot of upper body strength, but my knee problems don't hold me back." Melton signed up for an eight-week beginners' course at The Dee Park Club in Cheltenham and has since made astonishing progress with coaching from a former memeber of the national archery team. In just 20 outdoor and indoor competitions he has amassed a total of nine gold, five silver and three bronze medals. He is now hoping he can earn a place in the Great Britain squad. Melton, whose training schedule takes up two hours a day and most of his weekends, gave an impressive display of his skills at a school assembly before setting off for France. The clear message to his audience was that success and achievement comes to those who work for it.
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