Beginners Courses
We currently have an extremely long waiting list, with a waiting time of around 6 to 9 months. We are working through the waiting list as quickly as possible and have put on additional courses to help.
Course Overview
Our courses are designed to teach the basic skills of archery in a friendly and enjoyable way and are run in accordance with the Archery GB requirements and guidelines.
Almost anyone can take part and enjoy archery regardless of age and physical ability, (although a degree of physical fitness is required). However, the club does have strict conditions regarding the participation of young persons (see below for further details).
All the equipment (bow, arrows, quiver, arm guard and finger tab) is provided by us, just turn up and enjoy the sport.
At the end of the course you will have been taught the essential safety requirements to protect yourself and others from harm. You should be able to shoot an Olympic style Recurve Bow with reasonable confidence and skill, and be safe and sufficiently competent should you wish to join Lichfield Archers.
On completion of the Course, successful candidates will be presented with a Certificate of Competency and be invited to apply for membership of Lichfield Archers. The Certificate is also accepted at other archery clubs.
Our Beginner’s Course can be used as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
What the Course entails
The Course comprises six consecutive sessions which take place on Wednesday evenings between 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Courses take place in our 20 yard indoor range but when warmer summer evenings permit we often try to shoot outdoors on our 100 yard field. Beginners must attend at least five of the six sessions and satisfy the coaches that they are safe and competent to be able to shoot safely on their own.
Below is a brief overview of what each week comprises:
Week One: Understanding the basics
Your first session starts with an introduction to archery and a safety briefing to ensure you, your fellow beginners and coaches are kept safe. You will then be allocated a bow, arrows, quiver, arm guard and finger tab. It’s then off to the shooting range where you will be given a demonstration on how to shoot a recurve bow using the ‘T Draw’ shooting style, followed by ‘one on one’ instruction.
In the first week you will shoot from a distance of 10 yards to get you familiar with how to shoot. We will also introduce you to resistance band practice to help you practice your technique at home.
Week Two: Refining your technique
After a quick recap you will be back in the range straight away but this time shooting from 20 yards. Our coaches will help you throughout to refine and improve your technique, focussing on getting a good posture, consistent anchor, aiming and relaxed arrow release.
Week Three: Starting to hit ‘Gold’
In the third week we will look to refine your shooting technique to improve consistency and start to hit ‘Gold’.
Week Four: How to SCore
In this session you will be taught how to score and fill out a standard competition score sheet. For our younger archers there is the opportunity to create your own pizza! We will also give details on how to become a member of Lichfield Archers should you wish to join us on successful completion of your course.
Week Five: PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
This evening will be run as a mock club night and will provide an opportunity to refine your technique. There will still be coaching available but the aim of this session is to give you a taster of what it’s like to shoot on a normal Tuesday/Thursday club night where you will be shooting alongside the coaches and other club members.
Week Six: Honing your Skills/Catch-up Week
This session will also act as a ‘mop up’ for anyone who missed a previous session or an opportunity for you to start honing your skills. During the evening you will also be presented with your Certificate of Competency.
Course Fees
Our courses cost £70 per adult and £50 per junior (under 18 years old at the start of the course). This includes insurance, loan of equipment and instruction from our archery coaches. Refreshments and biscuits are also provided.
To ensure everyone benefits from coaching, each course is limited to a maximum of 16 people.
Waiting List and Enrolment on a Course
Due to the demand to attend a beginner’s course we operate a waiting list. When a place becomes available on a course these are offered strictly in the order that people were added to the waiting list.
Enrolment for a course usually opens around six-eight weeks before the start of each course, when beginners course enrolment forms are sent out to those who are next on the waiting list. On receipt of an invitation to a course we would urge you to respond straight away stating if you are able to take up the offer of that course. If you are unable to take up an offer it is essential that you let us know so that your place can be rolled over to the next course. This allows us to offer a place to the next person on the waiting list, whilst you will retain your place for the next course. If we do not get a response we will assume you are no longer interested and you will be removed from the waiting list.
Completed and signed enrolment forms together with fees must be received at least one week in advance of the course starting.
To get on the waiting list please email our Development Officer using using the enquiry form at the bottom of this page or email Development@LichfieldArchers.com
What options do you have after completion of the Course
After successful completion of the course you may decide to pursue archery further and join Lichfield Archers. If you do, then as a member you are welcome to continue to use the club equipment until such time you decide to buy your own equipment. There is no additional charge for using club equipment.
Annual subscription fees are split in two parts. There is the Lichfield Archers club subscription to cover the cost of maintaining the club facilities, paying electricity/water bills and replacing targets.
In addition, there are affiliation fees to Archery GB which provides you with indemnity insurance, a half yearly magazine and a membership card which allows you to enter non-club competitions. The membership year runs from 1st October to 30th September each year for both Lichfield Archers and Archery GB.
Current fees are summarised below (correct as of 1st October 2023):
| Lichfield Archers Club Subscriptions | Per Annum (October to September) | |
|---|---|---|
| Senior members (aged 18 and over) | £150 | |
| Junior Members (under 18s as of 1st Oct 2023 | £75 | |
| Family Membership (Comprising 2 Seniors + 2 Juniors OR 1 Senior + 3 Juniors) | £300 | |
| Non Shooting Members | £12.50 |
| Archery GB Affiliation Fees (Including County and Region) | Per Annum | |
|---|---|---|
| Senior members (aged 25 and over) | £61.50 | |
| Senior members (aged 18 to 24) | £25.50 | |
| Junior Members (under 18) | £24.50 | |
| Registered Disabled (18 and over) | £21.25 | |
| Registered Disabled (under 18) | £19.25 |
Why choose a Lichfield Archers Beginners Course?
Clothing, Jewellery, and Footwear Safety
For your own safety and comfort you will need to comply with the following dress guidelines:
- Long hair should be secured out of the way
- It is recommended to wear close fitting clothes that will not catch on the bow string, so please avoid loose sleeves, baggy collars, cardigans and scarves
- Shoes should have enclosed toes, so that you do not stub your toes against arrows buried in the grass. Flip-flops, sandals and open toed shoes will not be allowed.
- All facial piercings and upper body piercings will need to be removed as if these get caught in a bow string it will be very painful (ouch!)
- Avoid dangly earrings and loose bracelets and necklaces, for the same reasons
- On outdoor courses bring a warm jumper
If a beginner does not comply with the guidelines above they will not be able to participate.
Disabilities & Injuries
At Lichfield Archers we aim to welcome everyone and we will endeavour to deliver a suitable course to anyone who asks for it.
Please disclose any reduced or impaired physical, sensory or mental capacities which may affect your ability to shoot safely. This information is held in the strictest confidence.
Safety Requirements
We will always try to work with you to ensure you enjoy the course, provided we believe it is safe for you to do so. Where your safety or the safety of fellow beginners and/or coaches is deemed to be compromised Lichfield Archers may need to review your continued participation on the course.
Lichfield Archers reserves the right to cancel participation on the course for disruptive or unruly behaviour of any age group.
Children, Young Persons and Vulnerable Adults
We follow the Archery GB policy on safeguarding children, young persons and vulnerable adults. The full policy can be found here or you can contact our dedicated Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer.
In addition to the above, we have some specific policies regarding this. In practical terms this means we will only accept Juniors 8 years old or older onto our courses. Furthermore, Juniors under 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult at all times, even if the adult is not participating in the course. This is also an insurance necessity. Lichfield Archers reserves the right to cancel participation on the course for disruptive or unruly behaviour.
As a club we have a minimum age of 8 years. This is one of the lowest in the Lichfield surrounding area. The reason for our age limit is based on our beginners equipment, as our lowest bow draw weight has in the past proven to be problematic for younger children and can cause possible injury to the growing body. We also need to ensure all archers are capable of shooting at least 20 yards but this can be difficult with light draw weight bows.
Young children are assessed on the first night of a Course for their capabilities and temperament to continue the course and to ensure that they can also adhere to the rules and regulations for safety purposes. Therefore, we reserve the right to deny attendance for the remainder of the course. Should this be the case a full refund of the fee will be issued.
During the beginners’ course and in subsequent coaching, appropriate physical contact is used by coaches for skill development and safety in line with the Archery GB Code of Conduct for Coaches, Judges and Officials.
General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Data will be held in accordance with Lichfield Archers Privacy Policy.
Further information
If you would like more information on our Beginners Course or would like to check availability then please fill in the contact form below or contact our Development Officer at Development@LichfieldArchers.com.
Please only use this form for the beginners course, if you have a different question then visit the contact us page