Many ask how club membership works and what happens after a beginners course - this page is designed just as a guide, as everybody chooses their own targets and what they wish to get out of their hobby.
Once you have completed a taster session, and decided that Archery is for you, the club will put you on the waiting list for a beginners course - this may be in a couple of weeks or could be longer if we have high demand.
Once contacted, and given a date for your course, you will be asked to join both the club and ArcheryGB ( they supply the necessary insurance for all archers when shooting with the club ) - see Shooting Fees for details of current charges.
The beginners course will cover:-
Safety procedures
Line etiquette
Target types and rounds
Bow types
Best shooting stances and procedures.
The course will usually be on a one to one basis, with either club coach or instructor, but may involve other members as you get more proficient.
All equipment will be supplied for the duration of the course, and will be available for use until you feel ready to purchase equipment of your own - for this we will always advise going to an archery shop, who will be able to supply equipment suitable for your needs and measurements - it is not advisable to purchase your first equipment online, as probably will be wrong for you and work out more expensive in the end - we would recommend Perris Archery, as they are fairly local and Tony Preston ( the owner ) is very experienced with setting up new archers.
Once your beginners course has finished ( usually 4 sessions, but may differ with each person ) you will be considered safe to shoot without supervision, but there will always be experienced archers around to help you progress.
When using your own equipment you will normally find it is easier to be consistent than with club bows, as your own items will be matched to you - it is a matter of practice, doing and scoring rounds, to improve your overall enjoyment of the sport.
Once you get more experienced there are competitions you can enter, both club and outside events, and if you want to take archery further than a hobby the club can point you in the direction of coaching for greater things.
Archery Etiquette
A Good Archer:
- Does not talk in a loud voice whilst others are shooting.
- Does not talk to another competitor who obviously prefers to be silent.
- Does not make any exclamation on the shooting line that might disconcert a neighbour in the act of shooting.
- Does not go behind the target to retrieve his arrows before his score has been
- Does not walk up and down the shooting line comparing scores.
- Does not leave the shooting line when archers either side are at full draw.
- Does not leave another archer alone on the shooting line.
- Does not touch anyone else’s equipment without permission.
- Does not leave litter.
- When calling scores does so in groups of three, for example ‘7 – 7 – 5’ pause ‘5 – 5 – 3’.
- If he breaks another’s arrow through his own carelessness, pays for it in cash on the spot.
- Thanks the Target Captain at the end of each round for work on his behalf.