UoG sports scholar strikes gold at national archery finals

A University of Gloucestershire Photography student and sports scholar has been crowned a national archery champion.

Chloe A’Bear outpointed rivals from other universities around the UK to win the gold medal in the Compound Women category at the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) Indoor Finals 2025 at the University of Warwick.

In modern archery, a compound bow is a bow that uses a levering system, usually of cables and pulleys.

Chloe is working towards a BA (Hons) Photography: Editorial and Advertising degree while also enrolled on the institution’s sports scholarship programme that helps talented athletes, officials and aspiring coaches achieve their ambitions across a wide range of sports.

Chloe (pictured) said: “I started archery at the age of seven because both my mum and nan shot so I wanted a go. I completed my beginner’s course and joined Deer Park Archers, based in Shurdington, near Cheltenham, and have been at the club ever since. It is a fantastic club and they are so supportive.

“I was really hoping to come away with the win at the BUCS Indoor Finals as I knew I was capable of doing so, but I was aware that anything could happen on the day.

“I’m super pleased with the result for many reasons: I shot a personal best score in the qualification round in the morning and then followed it up with a personal best in the head-to-head matches.

“Having won the silver medal at last year’s BUCS finals, winning the gold medal this time reinforces the hard work I have been putting in and makes it a nice end to the indoor season.”

Matt Tansley, Head of Sport and Active Life at the University, said: “Huge congratulations to Chloe on her gold medal at BUCS Indoor Finals –  everyone at the university is delighted for her. She puts in a huge amount of work, day in, day out.”

He added: “As a sports scholar at the University, Chloe receives a wide range of additional support so she can balance elite sport with full-time academic study.

“This includes working with our specialist practitioners to ensure Chloe is physically and mentally prepared to perform at her maximum academically and in sports competition without compromise.”

Main image: Chloe A’Bear competing at the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) Indoor Finals 2025 where she won the gold medal