Meet The Paralympians - Fred Stevens, John Stubbs, Mick Beard

Fred Stevens. Age: 62. Lives: Hinckley

Fred Stevens is off to represent his country at the Paralympic Games in Beijing. And he is a very proud man.

“I can’t tell you how proud it makes me feel to be representin my country at such a major sports event. I never dreamed this would happen – I know it’s a cliché, but i’m over the moon, and my family is, too.

Fred, who used to run his own business making industrial silencers, ended up in a wheelchair as a result of an industrial accident, and as he rebuilt his life archery became very much part of it!

“I used to be rifle shooter, and when I ended up in chair, I tried to carry on doing it, but I found it impossible. But I was away at college, and was told about an archery club, so I decided to give it a go, liked it, and it’s gone from there.

“I went to a tournament with Hinckley Archers, and was invited to Stoke Mandeville to join the GB Paralympic squad, and when I saw John Cavanagh in a GB shirt, I decided I wanted one of them.

“I then got picked for the development squad, and it went from there – it’s been a six year journey, and I’m just so thrilled to be going to take part in the Paralympic Games, it’s as good as it gets!”

Fred has been in a wheelchair for 12 years, but after his accident, decided he did not want to spend the rest of his life feeling sorry for himself.

“I looked around and thought people a lot worse off than me! I still had the use of my upper body, and I wanted to channel that in the right direction.”

And Fred has nothing but good to say about archery, and the people he has met since taking up the sport.

“I enjoy the company of all archers, there’s a fantastic camaraderie and friendliness. Whatever level they compete, people are always willing to help you, including Chris White, who’s what I call a perfect archer, an established and successful international, but who always has time to pass on tips and advice.

“I practice 6 days a week, including taking part in tournaments, and I am very lucky in that I train outside at the Leicester Ancient Order of Forresters, based at Countersthorpe, where there’s always someone available to help. And happily my son has an indoor facility where I can go.”

Says Team GB coach Tim Hazell: “Fred has done superbly to get to where he is, and I know how much he’s looking forward to his first Games, and working hard for the Top Spot. His attitude is first class.”

John Stubbs. Age: 42. Lives: Warrington

For someone who was given the last rites following an horrific road accident when he was just 24, life has been good to John Stubbs since that dreadful day. Happily he pulled through, and though he lost a leg as a result of the accident, he has since become an MBE, and is now looking forward to heading off to Beijing to represent Britain at the Paralympic Games.

“This is the pinnacle of my archery career up to now,” said John. “Even though I’ve been a world champion, and even though I’ve been awarded an MBE, going to the Olympics is as high as it can get. It’s fantastic, and I’m so proud, and my family are too.”

John was awarded his MBE  in 2006, the year he won a world championship gold medal, for services to sport and disabled archery, nine years after he first took up the sport.

“I started recreation archery in 1996, shooting recurve, then in 1998 I went to compound, and then represented Great Britain at the disabled indoor championships in Belgium, where I won the silver medal.

“I then went to my first world championships in 2000 in Christchurch, New Zealand, and I must admit, I was a bit over-awed by it all, and to be truthful, I bottled it. But that experience has stood me in good stead.

Archery is not now just a sport for John, it is a way of life, and he is now a full time archer, and now has a dedicated coach in Alex Mold, the Cheshire County Coaching Officer.

And after pulling though from that horrific accident, John is now enjoying life, and looking forward to a vibrant future as an international archer. London 2012 is very much on his radar!

“I found solace in sport,” he says. “I used to play cricket, so after the accident I found disabled cricket and represented England. But then I got involved with archery, and I realised that archery was for me.

“Despite all that’s happened, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change any part of my life. Perhaps everything happens for a reason, and being involved with archery has been fantastic.

“Nobody can take away what I’ve achieved, and going to the Paralympics in Beijing will be the pinnacle of my achievement so far.”.

Team GB Paralympic coach Tim Hazell says: “John is building steadily, and will be ready to peak at the Paralympics. He’s a top guy and has done very well, and there’s plenty more to come!” 

Mick Beard Age: 44. Lives: Cornwall

Mick, a computer game designer by trade, is currently a full time archer, focussing fully on his goal to go to the Paralympic Games.

He trains 5/6 days a week, and is coached by his wife, Lou, who was herself, trained up by Team GB’s Head Coach Peter Suk. Says Mick: “Lou knows me better than any one else and understands me, and that’s why she is such a good influence on me.”.

For Mick, going to Beijing will be the fulfilment of a dream.

“It means everything, it’s what I’ve spent all those weekends in the pouring rain for, it’s the top of the game, and it’s as good as it gets. I’m still getting my head round it, and it’s wonderful that people are so excited for me.”

And Mick’s road to Beijing only started four years ago: “I took it up after seeing the archery on TV at the last Olympics – I watched Larry Godfrey in Athens, and it motivated me to join a local club, and it’s gone from there.

“I guess I must have had an aptitude, but you get out of it what you put into it. My nature is that if I do something, I take it to the limit.

“Now I’ve secured my place in Beijing there’s a lot of hard work ahead – you could say the hard work starts now, because you’ve got the added incentive of not just going, but going to win. Going to Beijing certainly won’t be about sightseeing.”

Mick’s disability resulted from an industrial accident. He slipped a disc, which cut through his spinal disc. “I was paralysed down right hand side, and I’m still numb down that side. But when he first started archery he admits he’d never heard of the Paralympics.

“When I first started archery I didn’t know anything about the Paralympics. I went to a local club and found out I could do archery, and started doing tournaments. At one of them, someone asked me once why I was limping, and after I explained, I was recommended to the disabled squad. I gave it a go and it went from there. I was chosen for my first international squad in September 2005.

“Now I hope my story inspires other people. It would be nice to think disabled people see us and are inspired by us, and think that they too can take up a sport, be it archery or whatever.”

Team GB coach Tim Hazell says: “Mick has prepared for his first Games with an undeniable focus and is now ready to do battle, and with such determination he’ll be a genuine contender for a medal.”