Archery: Finlay needs funds for shot at World Firefighter Games title

Feb 4 2010 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

FIREFIGHTING archer Ian Finlay is appealing for help in his bid to compete at this year’s World Firefighter Games in South Korea.

The bowman, who is a firefighter at Deeside Fire Station, took up archery only six years ago but in 2008 he claimed a bronze medal when the Games were held in Liverpool.

This year the tournament is in Asia and 42-year-old Finlay – the Cheshire Indoor champion – needs help in the form of between £2,000 and £3,000 to get out there and compete.

“I really want to go and try to win the Firefighter Games,” said Finlay. “It has become my dream. South Korea’s national sport is archery and it would be an opportunity to test myself against the best.

“But it would also be a different challenge as before Liverpool, my first Firefighter Games, I was able to practise at the venue and learn how the conditions affected my arrows beforehand.

“This time, I’ll be going into a brand new area, contending with the heat and unfamiliar conditions. But I won’t be able to even try if I can’t find someone to help fund the trip.”

A member of the Chester-based Cheshire County Bowmen club, Finlay has approached traditional sports funding bodies like the National Lottery but, as he is classed as a lone athlete, he doesn’t fit the criteria for a grant.

If he can arrange to get to South Korea, however, Finlay has a chance of improving on his third-place finish in Liverpool.

Next month he will defend his Cheshire Indoor Championships title at the Northgate Arena in Chester and he will enter the National Indoor Championships at the National Sports Centre at Lilleshall.

Once the indoor season is over, he will begin preparing for the outdoor season, which he hopes will include that dream trip to South Korea to represent Great Britain.

“It would be amazing,” said Finlay, who lives in Little Sutton. “Firing outdoors is a totally different skill to firing indoors but I enjoy both and will be putting in the hours to make sure I am ready.

“I have become a much better archer for pushing myself and entering tough competitions.

“All the equipment I have is still top spec I just need to get out there to compete.”

Should father-of-two Finlay make it to WFG 2010, which takes place between August 21 and 29, the competition will initially see him shoot to qualify for the head-to-head round.

Then archers will shoot in pairs with the winner remaining in the competition.

If you can help Ian contact him on 07812 076012 or email: i.finlay@ntlworld.com