Archery is one of the most accessible sports, and can offer many opportunities across all age ranges and abilities. A very social and inclusive sport, it allows you to shoot in social settings and participate in friendly club and inter-club competitions. Seniors, juniors, young and old as well as disabled and non-disabled archers can all shoot and compete together.
Archery GB are the National Governing Body provides the infrastructure and support for clubs and archers, and services elite squads and national teams for junior, senior and disabled archers.
If you have a disability and would like to try archery why not contact your local club to find out when their next Have a Go session, or beginners course is starting? There are over 900 clubs affiliated clubs around the UK:
Anyone can take part in archery and most impairments can be accommodated in clubs. Clubs provide introductory courses, coaching and competitive opportunities. Beginning in the sport requires no classification, and you can take in part in club activities and competitions with minimal adaptation required. Disabled archers can shoot standing, perching on a stool or sitting down. Only if you wish to progress in the sport are you recommended to gain classification.
New archers are taken through a beginner’s course which teaches them all the basics of shooting and scoring, how to assemble equipment and understand the signals and safety requirements. This usually lasts 6 weeks and costs vary between £30-£70.
Archery clubs hold taster opportunities, called Have A Go sessions, and beginner’s courses regularly throughout the year, although most are held during the spring and summer months. Contact your nearest club to find out when their next beginner’s course is, and discuss with them the location, access and any additional support you may need.
During the winter, archers continue to shoot outdoors, although many clubs go indoors, and in the summer clubs are mainly outdoors. Archery is a grass field sport so wheelchair users will need to bear this in mind especially if relying on the British weather, and many clubs have their grounds in remote locations.
When coaching a disabled person, understand that they are the expert on their own needs. Speak with the disabled archers you coach about their abilities and aspirations, what they need from you and how you can help them have the best possible time and progress as an archer.
Archery is an inclusive sport and with very little adaptation anyone can participate. The guide below from Archery GB aims to offer support to ensure disabled people can participate in archery at all levels more effectively by highlighting good practice that is currently taking place within the sport.
Click on the links below to find out more about how you can get involved in Archery, and the organisations that can support you in your area.
Archery GB are the national governing body for archery in Great Britain. Archery GB is responsible for all levels of archery within the UK from elite to development level.
The British Wheelchair Archery Association is here to help promote the sport of para-archery and assists with all aspects of the sport from grassroots information to elite level training.
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