American Brown handed head coaching role at Archery GB

AMERICAN Lloyd Brown has been handed the reins at Archery GB, charged with ensuring Great Britain do not leave the London 2012 Olympics empty-handed.

NEW COACH: Alan Wills had his differences with Peter Suk but the USA's Lloyd Brown has now taken the helm at Archery GB (Getty Images)

California-born Brown has a rich history of coaching archers to Olympic medals, having helped the USA's Justin Huish take individual gold in Atlanta 1996 before Huish, Rod White and Richard Johnson won gold in the team event.

Four years later at Sydney 2000, Vic Wunderle won silver and the men's USA team took bronze under his tutelage.

Brown will replace Peter Suk, who led Great Britain to the Beijing Olympics, where Team GB failed to collect a medal, after Alison Williamson had taken bronze at Athens 2004.

Suk came in for criticism for his preparation methods in Beijing from, among others, GB archer Alan Wills, but Brown insists he will leave no stone unturned in his bid to ensure Great Britain reach the podium in London.  

"It is well known and acknowledged that Britain has some outstanding archers, and many with the potential to win medals at the London Games," said Brown.

"Nothing will give me greater pleasure than being the coach that helped them do that.

"I want to use my experience to the benefit of the British squad, and help develop them even further as archers.

"I have extensive international coaching experience and am very proud of the success I have had in these positions.

"I continue to study the sport, attending every World Championships taking videos and pictures of the best archers in the world. 

"I use this information to compare successful archers and for presentation in seminars and coaching courses.

"I enjoy working with the other sports scientists, and feel it is important to have a team of individuals that are highly knowledgeable experts in their fields. 

"When working with athletes at the elite level, I work with them to determine their needs and then work to find solutions."

Meanwhile, Archery GB performance director Sara Symington is convinced she has got the right man for the job.

"We have hired a top class coach with a fantastic track record in Olympic success," said Symington. "I am confident that Lloyd can bring out the very best in our elite archers, and make them very competitive at the London Olympics.

"I am also sure Lloyd will be a great asset to our up and coming archers, such as those on the fringe of the senior squad over the next three years.

"We have some great talent, and with the right coach, the right environment and the right sports science support, then anything is possible."