Updated 13/03/2025
Do I have to undertake a beginners' course?
If you have never completed a beginners' course at an archery club, then you will need to complete a beginners' course before you can attend regular club sessions.
If you've shot before, then there'll be a chance to come and shoot before the beginners' course. You'll be joined on the shooting line for your first end by a coach who will carry out a quick assessment of your abilities. If you clearly know what you're doing (and don't worry, we're not looking at what scores you hit!) then you won't need to take part in the beginners' course.
However, if the coach feels you need to undertake part or all of a beginners' course to refresh, then you'll be expected to do so before we allow you to shoot without constant coaching. You can also opt to join the course if you feel that you're a little rusty and would like some pointers (just bare in mind it will be at the pace of an absolute beginner).
If you've not notably shot before, then you'll be required to undertake a full beginners' course.
Note: if you have held Archery GB membership before September 1st of the academic year, then you will be counted as an 'experienced' archer in student archery. This applies even if you did not shoot for a full year.
If you've shot before, then there'll be a chance to come and shoot before the beginners' course. You'll be joined on the shooting line for your first end by a coach who will carry out a quick assessment of your abilities. If you clearly know what you're doing (and don't worry, we're not looking at what scores you hit!) then you won't need to take part in the beginners' course.
However, if the coach feels you need to undertake part or all of a beginners' course to refresh, then you'll be expected to do so before we allow you to shoot without constant coaching. You can also opt to join the course if you feel that you're a little rusty and would like some pointers (just bare in mind it will be at the pace of an absolute beginner).
If you've not notably shot before, then you'll be required to undertake a full beginners' course.
Note: if you have held Archery GB membership before September 1st of the academic year, then you will be counted as an 'experienced' archer in student archery. This applies even if you did not shoot for a full year.
When are beginners' courses run?
Our primary beginners' courses are run in early October following the University's Freshers Fair.
In 2024/25 our October beginners' course ran every Wednesday or Friday from 19:00 to 22:00, from 25th and 27th of September until 23rd and 25th of October. Our January beginners' course was held on Sundays 9:00 - 12:00, from 19th of January 2025.
The next begginers' course will start in October 2025.
In 2024/25 our October beginners' course ran every Wednesday or Friday from 19:00 to 22:00, from 25th and 27th of September until 23rd and 25th of October. Our January beginners' course was held on Sundays 9:00 - 12:00, from 19th of January 2025.
The next begginers' course will start in October 2025.
Who are the beginners' courses for?
Primarily they're designed for those who have never shot before; and are designed to take you from not know anything about archery, to being safe to shoot without 1-on-1 coaching. However, any new member who has previous experience of shooting will be watched the first time and we may suggest (or request) going on part or all of the beginners' course as a refresher.
The course will teach basic technique, range safety and give you a basic understanding of archery equipment, all while integrating you into the club. Upon completing the course you will receive a certificate that can be presented to any Archery GB affiliated club in the UK.
The course will teach basic technique, range safety and give you a basic understanding of archery equipment, all while integrating you into the club. Upon completing the course you will receive a certificate that can be presented to any Archery GB affiliated club in the UK.
How much do the courses cost?
The course will cost £45. For the duration of the course, you will not need club membership. Once you have completed the course, you will need Novice membership to shoot in our sessions.
We also offer a combined beginners' course and novice membership option. The price of this varies depending on which beginners' course you take in the year.
For the duration of the beginners' course regular session fees will be waived and completion of the course will allow you to shoot with us and at many other archery clubs.
We also offer a combined beginners' course and novice membership option. The price of this varies depending on which beginners' course you take in the year.
For the duration of the beginners' course regular session fees will be waived and completion of the course will allow you to shoot with us and at many other archery clubs.
How long does each session last and how many sessions are there?
Each session is 3 hours long and there are 5 sessions. It is expected that you attend all sessions, though if you have a good reason not too, please let us know in advance.
What do the courses entail?
The point of the course is to teach you to shoot safely in a club setting and at a competition. By the end of the course, you should be able to shoot a competition-style round, fill out a score sheet, and know how to set up and pack down the equipment.
In the first beginners' only session, you will learn the key safety information and learn to shoot your first arrows. This session can be quite slow as there's a lot of information to take on, and we'll need to make sure that everyone is kitted out correctly and safely. You'll be put into small groups where you'll take it in turns to get some one to one coaching.
In subsequent beginners' only and integration session, you will work with a coach to develop good basic technique and start to understand more about archery. You will also be taught how to set up and pack down the range so that you know how to help in a regular session. By the final session, you will be shooting on your own and ready to join the club!
Integration sessions involve getting to shoot (while still supervised by your coach) alongside regular club members at a normal session, to help ease the transition from the beginners' only format to what a regular session is like!
If, at any point, you want something explained again (or you simply want more details on something) please don't hesitate to ask a coach; they'll be more than happy to go through it with you.
In the first beginners' only session, you will learn the key safety information and learn to shoot your first arrows. This session can be quite slow as there's a lot of information to take on, and we'll need to make sure that everyone is kitted out correctly and safely. You'll be put into small groups where you'll take it in turns to get some one to one coaching.
In subsequent beginners' only and integration session, you will work with a coach to develop good basic technique and start to understand more about archery. You will also be taught how to set up and pack down the range so that you know how to help in a regular session. By the final session, you will be shooting on your own and ready to join the club!
Integration sessions involve getting to shoot (while still supervised by your coach) alongside regular club members at a normal session, to help ease the transition from the beginners' only format to what a regular session is like!
If, at any point, you want something explained again (or you simply want more details on something) please don't hesitate to ask a coach; they'll be more than happy to go through it with you.
