Warrior Macqueen shooting for gold

A FORMER rugby prodigy turn paralympic archer could fulfil a life’s ambition today and complete a unique sporting journey for Team GB in Paris.

- LUKE JARMYN

Nathan Macqueen was a promising age-grade prospect for Glasgow Warriors playing alongside several future Scotland internationals before a serious motorbike accident on his way to work left him paralysed from the waist down.

The 33-year-old came up the ranks at Dumfries Saints and turned out for Warriors U18s but thought his life was over after the horrific crash in 2009.

Through the support of his family – in particular his mum and his wife Tara – Macqueen found a new sporting love, not in wheelchair rugby, but his childhood passion of archery.

After a recent illness saw Macqueen drop from world number one to number four, he’s back on top form targeting a maiden Paralympic medal at his third attempt in Paris.

He told TRP: “I’ve been shooting pretty well. I ended up with a chest infection recently which set me back a wee bit but I’m back to shooting my best.