Helen’s Journey as an Archery Judge

I hope you all had a lovely day yesterday and are chilling today, I know a lot of people shoot and I have many memories of creating home made soups for Boxing Day frostbites - I was working yesterday and today I have been tidying up my calendar and noting my judging days for 2026, very much looking forward to seeing everyone ❤️🏹

See you all in 2026 🤗

Whilst I don’t know what 1/10/26 will bring, after discussion with the EMAS JLO’s I shall continue judging until 30/9/26 and enjoy it and the people I will spend time with.

And if I do stay at least I will be ready to sit my exams in October 2026.

Nothing in the rules of shooting for Halloween rounds - great fun had and lots of treats eaten ❤️🏹🎃🕸️

Planning my tournaments for 2026 as I sit with mum for a few days after her surgery.

If I get my judging planned I can start to plan my competition calendars for shooting 🥳❤️🏹

As I sit here tidying up some paperwork I am reflecting on the outdoor season as it’s coming to the last few weeks.

Work stopped me shooting for 17 weeks 😔

But I managed to judge 5 competitions -
4 target and 1 clout.

I have had to cancel 3 -
2 target and 1 flight.

2 were due to work and 1 due to me simply not thinking through the impact of back to back judging days on my body 🫣

I already have 2 offers for the indoor season that I just need to see if I can make the dates work.

I also have 3 outdoor target & 1 clout in the calendar for 2026 outdoor season and I am hoping to get to at least 1 flight!!

So we started the outdoor season with the question of would judging stop me shooting?

The answer - nope!

In fact without judging I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of being on competition ranges this season really - I usually shoot at least a couple of competitions a month, I have done 2 all season!!!

My green shirt actually gave me something to make what I lost feel less 🥰

I have learned a lot about me, about archers and about my sport from a different angle.

Would I recommend giving it a go, absolutely 🙃❤️🏹

Every time I arrive at a competition in my judges kit I am asked where all of my bright clothes are 😂😂

It doesn’t take long to realise just cos I’m in green and beige the rest of me is still the same 🤪

Those who want a hug get one, those who need to just share something anxiety driven are still given the time to do that 🤗

I am me and I am still your greatest cheerleader and that will not change 🙃

I know I have spent my years well when those I have helped on ranges come to tell me how they are doing, grab a hug and many take the time to check on me during the day 🥰

Thank you to everyone who trusts me to support them but who choose to support me too 🤗🤗🤗😘

Today has been filled with moments of
What did you say?
What did you ask me?
What were you thinking?

Mostly stunned by some of the things experienced archers, do, say etc 🫣

I suspect these photos are some of those moments 🫣😳🤪

Proof my hat is waterproof 🥰❤️🏹

Sunday will see me judging at the county champs, I will be the responsible grown up! 😱🫣

So as I lay here in bed at work u am reading up on my rules in preparation ❤️🏹

Whatever your weekend holds - enjoy it.

Sorry i shall not see everyone tomorrow 🤗

I wasn’t running in this photo but I am pretty confident I will be on Sunday at the county champs!! ❤️🏹🤪