Frequently Asked Questions
- I want to try out archery; where do I go?
- I want to try out archery; do I need to buy a bow and arrows first?
- How do I join the Kent Archery Association (KAA)?
- Are all archery clubs in Kent affiliated to the KAA?
- I need help with my shooting; who can I ask?
- My club has lost its ground; can you help?
- My club is looking for an indoor shooting venue; can you help?
- My club wants help to develop; can you help?
- I want to try out archery; where do I go?
The first place to look is in our list of Clubs in Kent, where you can look for a club in your area and in some cases, you can also take a look at their web site. If you can't find contact information there, then get in touch with our county secretary, who can help you to contact a local club.
- I want to try out archery; do I need to buy a bow and arrows first?
No! Tempting though it might be to kit yourself out, so that you can do a beginners' course with your own equipment, this is actually a very risky thing to do and it could easily be an expensive mistake.
Any club that runs beginners' courses will almost certainly include the use of a suitable bow and arrows in the price of the course. Then, when you are ready to get your own, they will advise and help you select equipment that suits you.
- How do I join the KAA?
Normally, membership of the KAA is arranged through your club and is automatic. Many clubs collect their membership fee, and the affiliation fees for the national, regional and county associations all together; Direct membership of the KAA is only available to long-standing members.
- Are all archery clubs in Kent affiliated to the KAA?
No. There are in fact several national organisations for archery in Britain, some of them concerned with specific areas of the sport only. There are also clubs and commercial organisations who operate archery sessions without being covered by a national governing body, but we are not able to offer any advice or information in relation to these.
The GNAS is the only national governing body for archery in the UK, affiliated to the British Olympic Association and is the largest. The KAA only covers those clubs in Kent that are part of GNAS.
- I need help with my shooting; who can I ask?
Your first port of call should always be your own club. If your club does not have a suitable coach, then your club secretary can put you in touch with the Invicta Coaching Group, who may be able to help.
Whatever you decide to do, remember that all coaches are volunteers - and archers. Most of them shoot regularly and it is not reasonable to expect anyone to just drop what they are doing, even if your problem really is serious. It is also courteous to offer to pay their travelling expenses, unless they really do live just round the corner.
- My club has lost its ground; can you help?
It is an unfortunate trend that schools and colleges continue to sell off ground to fund development projects and archery is often disadvantaged as a result.
While the KAA has no practical way of preventing this kind of situation from occurring, we have started to work closely with the Kent County Council Sports Development Unit (KSDU), who have a lot of experience with this type of issue across a wide range of sports. For more information, please get in touch with our county secretary.
- My club is looking for an indoor shooting venue; can you help?
Suitable venues for indoor shooting are in short supply; affordable, suitable venues are very difficult to find.
The Kent County Council Sports Development Unit (KSDU) has contact with many organisations throughout the county and works closely with businesses, education departments and town/district councils to solve similar problems for a range of sports. For more information, please get in touch with our county secretary.
- My club wants help to develop; can you help?
This question covers a huge range of possible problems, so it is not possible to give a specific answer that is applicable in all cases. However, if you are unsure who you should ask for help, contact the county secretary first.
In many cases it may be possible to answer your question immediately. However, if the county secretary cannot give the help you need, he/she will advise you of the best person to ask or will get back to you with an answer as soon as possible.