Archery Clubs
If you want to take up archery, or simply want to find out whether it really is as interesting at it looks, then one of the best places to start is at an archery club. We have therefore compiled a list of all of our archery clubs in Kent for you to choose from.
Most run beginners' courses to teach you the basics and will supply a bow, arrows and other accessories for use during the course. Availability of beginners' courses varies from club to club, so you will need to check first. Once you have completed a course, you have the opportunity of becoming a member of the club and to start the journey to the gold.
As a member they will advise you what equipment should best suit you (and your budget). Don't be tempted to go and buy your own equipment beforehand - it could turn out to be an expensive mistake!
Some clubs do also run "Have-a-Go" events at local festivals, fairs and so on, but these normally only give you a relatively brief taster.
Club Facilities
Most clubs have an outdoor shooting ground, with many of them based at schools, colleges or leisure centres. Some of the venues are spectacular and all have been officially checked for safety.
But what happens when it's winter, snowing, blowing a gale and cold enough to freeze your bits off? Well, a number of clubs are fortunate enough to have an indoor range available in winter and some others share a range. However the general lack of suitable, affordable venues does mean that not all clubs are so lucky and shooting may be limited during the winter.
Archery is one of the most inclusive of sports, available to a very wide age range and to people with a wide range of disability. For safety reasons, most clubs do set a lower age limit and require the parent or guardian of juniors (under 18) to be present. If you have mobility issues, it is a good idea to check whether the venue is suitable for your particular situation. There are, in fact, several clubs that have been set up specifically to provide the expertise and experience needed to help archers with disabilities and even visual impairment need not be an insurmountable obstacle to shooting.
The ClubMark accreditation scheme was launched in archery in the second half of 2006 and provides a benchmark to show that an accredited club provides a safe and professional approach to the development of juniors in the sport. A number of Kent clubs have shown an interest and are expected to start work toward this qualification.
The "Staff"
The most important thing to remember, though, is that archery is still an almost exclusively amateur sport in the UK. With this go the advantages of friendly clubs and helpfulness, because you know that everyone who is taking part is doing so simply because they love the sport. The disadvantage is that there isn't a permanent staff who keep office hours - if you try to contact a club, remember that the contact almost certainly has a day-job and a family! As important to bear in mind is that when it comes to running the show, we are all volunteers - so when a job needs doing at the club, expect to muck in.
It is equally true of coaches, most of whom also actively participate in the sport. Every qualified coach has to renew their status periodically and is CRB-checked each time they do.