GB Team ready to make 3D archery mark at Euros

3D Archery may sound like it belongs in the digital world of smartphones and VR headsets, but this increasingly popular format is in fact a real-world pastime aligned with the traditional discipline of field archery

What’s more, such is the increasing popularity of 3D Archery in Great Britain that its 3D archery team is heading to the 2025 European 3D Championships in Serbia in October this year with high hopes of claiming the crown. 

In 3D archery, archers take part on a woodland course where they are tasked with locating and then shooting at various life-sized, three-dimensional targets, usually resembling animals or birds. In contrast to traditional field archery, 3D archery tests an archer’s ability to gauge unmarked distances, adapt to unfamiliar shooting positions, and manage unpredictable environments. Scores are determined based on the proximity of arrows to the scoring zones on each target. 

An increased focus on the discipline from Archery GB – including the formation of a national consultation group tasked with building participation, establishing rankings, and boosting grassroots visibility – appears to be bearing fruit. 

The teams performance at the 2024 World 3D Championships in Slovenia saw Jed Cullen win gold in the traditional (recurve-style) category, Ian Edwards take longbow gold, and Cullen and Sarah Monteith claim silver in the mixed team event. The result was that Team GB finished third in the overall medal table, setting a marker for their attempt on the European Championships in September. 

Building on that momentum, the team for Serbia boasts a mix of established champions and fresh talent. Representing the UK are multiple archers across the disciplines that also include barebow and compound. 

Reflecting this depth and diversity, Jon Nott, Archery GB’s non-Olympic Programme Manager, said: “This is a very exciting team, and I am very happy to see so many going to represent GB in 3D. It’s an ever-growing discipline, and GB are showing that we are a force to be reckoned with at international level.”