MENTION St Helens and arrows and the exploits of the borough’s elite darters is the first thing to spring to mind, few people would even realise that the town has had a thriving archery base since 1974.

And one of the real starlets of St Helens Archery Club is 15-year-old Kieran Shirley who took up the sport by accident and is now so good at it that he is on target for a place at next year’s junior Olympics.

Moss Bank teenager Kieron has been breaking records and winning medals since taking up the sport after trying it on an activity weekend – but he and his supportive family know that he has to keep pushing if he is to fulfil his dreams of representing Team GB at the Olympics one day.

But to do that Kieran needs to attend regular courses and training camps some that will enable him to compete on an even footing with other archers from, without putting too fine a point on it, more affluent parts of the country.

The immediate perception of archery is a sport that belongs in the shire counties, bundled up with show jumping, polo and croquet; a historic pastime with something of a snooty reputation.

Speaking with Kieron and his supportive parents who have done everything they can do to allow him to succeed, shatters that illusion.

This is his sport; and Kieran is a lad with a clear target as his objective in more ways than one.

Although his talent was immediately spotted by the archery course leader on the PGL break, it took a couple more years of searching on the internet by his mum before they twigged there was a club just down the road at Moss Lane.

Kieron said: “Early on I was good at all the upper body sports, threw discus, javelin, upper body stuff and ten pin bowling to a good standard.

“But with archery I took to it from first time I picked up a bow, now I just want to keep improving.

“My ambition is to get into GB and win a gold medal in the 2016 Junior Olympics and then one day make it to the Olympics.

“It is a simple sport - you have to beat the opponent but there is a mental side to it.”

Kieran is grateful for the significant input of his coach Dave Littler at St Helens Archers, who has put him through his paces both on and off the field.

This has ensured that Kieran is mentally as well as physically, prepared for the challenge every step of the way. Kieran is also on the Progress Talent Path with Archery GB and attends coaching sessions every quarter preparing him to be selected for Team GB. His coach from Archery GB Kath Fitzpatrick also comments on his progress informing Kieran that his scores are amazing and that she can see a bright future for him in archery. This is just what Kieran needs as his aim is to represent his country in the Olympics one day.

But attending camps costs money – and that is why Kieran is in urgent need for sponsorship to help him fulfil his talent and make his Olympic dreams come to fruition.

“It is important to get to training camps, to take me beyond the level I’m at when at club. The camps give me new stuff to work on the months I am away from them.

“I have worked very hard over the last two years and have again achieved my Junior Master Bowman both in 2014 and 2015.

“I love archery and every bit of spare time I have is spent on either shooting, conditioning or making sure my bow is up to scratch.

“I now shoot in as many tournaments as possible, but they are generally local as travelling too far is not an option. “One day I would love to be able to shoot further a field to gain the experience of different counties.

“I shot in the Nationals for the first time last year, which was an experience in its self.

“I was approached by an Archery GB coach who was told by another coach from a tournament I was at to have as look at me, she did, and now here I am trying to do everything she wants me to do. “I would love to be able to start the additional training each month, but funds don’t allow me to fulfill this,” he said.

Kieran is seeking sponsorship from companies and has also set up a talent backer page www.talentbacker.com/talents/view/kIERAN-sHIRLEY.