From Grassroots to National Tour Stage Champion – Ellie’s Story

From picking up a bow and arrow as a way of sharing a sporting activity with her husband to National Tour Stage winner in four years, Sergeant Eleanor Spinks gave us the low down on how she developed her archery skills.

With a keen eye, steady hand, and support from the Central Fund, Ellie’s journey illustrates what is possible with focus, determination and support.

“Having enjoyed flying from an early age, and relishing STEM subjects like maths, physics and computing, a job working on aircraft was my number one career choice. With the promise of travel and a life that would never be mundane or repetitive, joining the RAF felt like the perfect way forward.

I initially got involved in archery after Covid. My husband had previously shot with the National Field Archery Association and thought it would be a good activity that we could do together after lockdown had lifted.

From my first three arrows I was hooked! I immediately contacted the RAF Archery Association; one month later I was on a beginner’s course at RAF Cranwell and within three months I had taken part in my first competition – the Indoor Inter-Services held at the UK National Indoor Championships.

Soon afterwards, RAFAA Chair Jason Moreton recruited me as the new secretary of the Association, a role which I am very proud to carry out.

A grant from the Central Fund enabled me to purchase my first set of kit. This allowed me to purchase items that were higher in quality, lasting me a longer time and greatly enhancing my ability to hone my archery skills.

Each year these grants have allowed me to upgrade my equipment in line with my skill advancements, leading me to win bronze in the UK Mixed Team’s final in 2024, followed by winning my first National Tour competition in July 2025 (see link below) and ending 2025 placed 8^th in the National Tour and 11^th in the UK National Rankings, after less than four years in the sport.

To be shortlisted for the 2025 RAF Sportswoman of the Year award was the icing on the cake.

The Central Fund also provides wider scale funding to the RAFAA, enabling us to acquire kit and equipment for our members to borrow. This support also allows us to provide have-a-go sessions at major events like RIAT and gives us the ability to extend our competitions to the wider archery community.

Both are fantastic opportunities to attract people to the sport and are only possible thanks to the support of the Fund.

Understanding how important grants from the Central Fund are in helping to fund my sport, I play the Sports Lottery. This also helps me to make use of the individual support available whilst giving me the chance to win some great prizes. I have also had incredible encouragement from my work colleagues; being allowed to train before big matches has been invaluable to me.

If you are not currently involved in sport, I would strongly recommend getting involved and trying something new. You will never know what you might end up loving unless you give it a go! The social and mental benefits to being part of a sports club are as important as the physical benefits, and the RAF allows you to try sports without an initial commitment.

If you want to explore archery and your camp doesn’t have a club, you can get in touch with archery.sec@rafsport.org.uk and we will help you get started.”

SharePoint – Sgt Spinks Wins Stage 5 of the Archery GB National Tour

RAF News – https://issuu.com/rafnews/docs/raf_news_edition_1614_august_08_2025/24