Join Us

Why Archery?

Archery offers a popular, flexible, low-impact sport, which gives moderate low-key exercise with a chance to mix with a friendly bunch of people of all ages and backgrounds, making it a truly inclusive sport. It does not require high levels of fitness to simply have a go and enjoy.
We have had archers from 8 to over 80 years old, from 4’ 3” to over 6’ 3” and all shapes and sizes. The able bodied or not so able bodied, including visually impaired and wheelchair users, can all learn to shoot and enjoy it either recreationally or competitively alongside each other. It is an ideal sport for families, and we have several family groups and other archers who are supported by non-shooting family members.

Archery Coaching

Beginners’ Courses

As a new archer, we advise that you do not rush out and buy your own equipment, though we understand the urge as we have all been there. Our coaches will measure you and advise the type, size and power of the equipment that is best for you. We are also able to loan you a club bow for up to 12 weeks at a very reasonable price to allow you to progress before purchasing your own equipment.

Refresher Sessions for Range Returners

If you’ve been out of the sport for a while but are looking to get back into archery, Bowmen of Backworth offer refresher sessions providing an opportunity for you to pick up where you left off without the need to repeat a beginners’ course. Participants are given the opportunity to practice the essentials under supervision of an Archery GB licensed coach, who will go through an informal assessment relating to safe practice and covering topics such as:

• Range rules and procedures
• Equipment setup
• Basic shot technique
• Arrow collection

If you have extensive archery experience, you’ll probably only need one refresher session, but if you’ve completed a beginners’ course and then stepped away for a year or two, you may need a bit more support and a few more sessions to ensure you can participate safely.
As well as being helpful in easing you back into archery, in helping to gain back confidence and top up your knowledge, refresher sessions provide an ideal opportunity to meet volunteers from the club, ask questions and generally socialise with other club members.

Session Fee: £10 per person

Disabled Archery

Archery has always been at the forefront of integration for disabled participants. Bowmen of Backworth welcomes all archers and would-be archers with any kind of impairment – whether it be physical, sensory or neurological. If you have an impairment and are thinking about trying archery, please feel free to contact us. We can discuss your requirements and see if we can provide you with the right support to make the experience a good one.

Private Have-A-Go Sessions

If you want to arrange an individual or small group session to see if archery is the sport for you, or if you’re looking for a different way to entertain clients or a change from the usual staff night out, then a Have-A-Go session could be ideal. Maybe a birthday party – for young or old? The session will last about an hour and a half, all equipment will be provided and it will be led by a qualified coach.

Send us a message via the contact form below with a few dates and times that would suit you, and we will get back to you. We will need at least four weeks’ notice to arrange a session and the minimum age for participants is 10 years. We cannot accommodate sessions on weekends.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Bowmen of Backworth welcomes young people who want to take up or progress in archery for their Physical or Skills section of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

If you are new to archery you will need to do a beginners’ course. At the end of the course, when you join the club, you will need to complete a programme planner setting out which section you are doing, at what level and for how long. You will set goals with the help of the coach who will support and assess you. You should then keep an activity log, with activities initialled by a coach or committee member. We will expect you to show your commitment by attending on a regular basis, although you can take a break for exams, holidays etc.

Contact us if you would like to sign up for a beginners’ course or join the club having completed a suitable course elsewhere. Please state that you will be doing the DofE.

Progression

As a novice archer, we will encourage you to meet your goals, be it competitive shooting or a recreational shoot with good laughs and fun. We have various schemes, both national (Archery GB) and international (World Archery), to encourage and improve your shooting. We also have in-house achievement awards including the 252 Award Scheme, where an archer must score at least 252 points at various distances to qualify for a badge for that distance.

Competitive Shooting

We encourage our members to become more competitive and to this end our coaches and senior archers are always willing to assist. We also have other resources and coaches that can be called on for advice when required. We are always on the lookout for archers who can be “passed up the chain” to higher and higher achievements.
Don’t worry if you do not feel competitive. We, as a club, will do our utmost to ensure that you enjoy your archery.

Fun Shooting

Apart from our target shooting we also have fun shoots, including a special Christmas shoot and mini-clout, where everyone can have a good laugh and a safe carry-on.