Archery prodigy hoping for Olympian influence to fuel LA 2028 charge

By Will Castle, Sportsbeat

ARCHERY prodigy Edward Gray is reaping the rewards of having an Olympian as a training partner as he looks to fulfil his own Olympic dreams at LA 2028.

Gray, 16, has emerged as one of Great Britain’s most promising archers, honing his craft at Meriden Archery Club in the West Midlands.

The Coleshill-based star is making waves on the youth circuit, something reflected by his nomination for the enhanced financial Aid Award, powered by SportsAid and Aldi, which helps with the cost of competing, training, and participating in sport.

Gray admits that in training alongside Team GB Olympian Tom Hall, he has gained invaluable advice which will assist him in his own quest for stardom.

“I would say Tom Hall is my role model,” he said, after being selected by Aldi – the official supermarket partner of Team GB and ParalympicsGB and official partners of Team GB Nearest & Dearest Programme, supporting athletes’ families. “He's an Olympian and he’s just qualified this year.

“He shoots at the same club as me, and he's always very helpful. He always gives me any little tips and tricks to improve and helps me with equipment.

“He’s amazing at helping me out. Especially when you train next to him, it's just incredible.”

While dreaming of a seat on the plane LA-bound in four years, Gray already boasts success to his name, having medalled in continental competition.

“My biggest achievement I'd say was getting a European Youth Cup team medal in Bulgaria early this year,” he added. “It was an amazing feeling.

“Unfortunately, my family couldn't come, but it was an amazing feeling to just be on the podium.

“They were proud, as soon as we got out of the airport, they were there cheering and screaming.

“My goal is to go in 2028 and compete in LA. I'm just going to keep training hard, keep practising, keep pushing, listen to my coaches and see if I can make it.”

Gray is already soaking up the attention that comes with being a high performing athlete. He is relishing the limelight and has been learning how to handle the additional pressure, thanks to support from SportsAid and Aldi, by benefitting from the experience of undertaking media commitments.

“It feels great,” Gray said. “I was a little nervous coming in, but I feel great overall.

“I never thought I was going to make it all the way to where I have, especially not with all the cameras. It feels like I accomplished a lot during my five years of shooting.”

Gray has also reaped the rewards of SportsAid’s partnership with Aldi, who also provide vital media training and nutrition sessions, as well as funding the Parent Pathway Series - a series of tailored online sessions for parents and guardians to ensure SportsAid athletes are getting the best family support possible.

The grant has been immensely valuable to Gray in funding his progression, taking the financial burden away in his pursuit of glory.

“SportsAid has helped me buy new equipment,” he added. “Therefore, I can have the most modern and newest thing coming out and help me reach a new level.

“I’d be a bit behind where I am [without them] considering the substantial amount of help they've given to me. The burden has reduced so much, it's unbelievable.”

Aldi and SportsAid are now in their third year of partnership. In 2024, they are supporting six local athletes, who will be part of SportsAid and Aldi promotional campaign, receive enhanced financial Aid Award, a monthly fruit and vegetable voucher, a private tour of Team GB’s Kitting Out experience and a media training and nutrition sessions. For more information visit https://www.sportsaid.org.uk/partners/our-partners/aldi