Beginners

Beginners Section

CHELTENHAM ARCHERS BEGINNERS` COURSE

GENERAL INTRODUTION

The Club runs Beginners` courses which are designed to teach the basic skills of archery in a friendly and enjoyable way. People of almost any age and physical ability (although a degree of physical fitness is required) can enjoy archery, although the club have strict conditions regarding the participation of young persons.

The courses are run over six weeks in two hour sessions. In the summer they are held on a Tuesday evening at the Club's permanent range at the northern end of Cheltenham Race Course. In the winter they are run on a Monday evening at Bishops Cleeve School.

The courses are run in accordance with The Grand National Archery Society (GNAS)

requirements and guidelines.

All the equipment needed is provided by the Club.

At the end of the course the Beginner will have been taught the essential safety requirements to protect themselves, and others, from harm. He/she should be able to shoot a recurve bow with reasonable confidence and skill. They will also have been introduced to other types of bows (traditional Long bow, Compound bow etc.) and archery.

It is Club Policy that everyone joining the Club must have been on a GNAS Beginners` Course, either at Cheltenham Archers, or another club.

COURSE FEES, DATES AND ENTRY FORMS.

Course fees are £65.00 for all applicants, payable in advance.

The next Indoor Course starts at Bishops Cleeve School at 7.00pm on Monday 20^nd Feb 2012.

For Entry Form click here

CHILDREN, YOUNG PERSONS AND VUNERABLE ADULTS.

The Club follows the GNAS Policy and guidelines for Children, Young Person and Vulnerable Adults. For the full text go to www.archerygb.org

In addition the Club has some specific Policies regarding this, for full details click here.

In practical terms this means the Club will only accept Juniors over 10 years old onto their courses.

In addition Juniors under 16 must be accompanied at all times on the course by a parent or guardian. Juniors over 16 may attend unaccompanied, provided the Club has a signed consent form from a parent or guardian.

It is the parent or guardian's responsibility to see the Junior is delivered to and collected from each session in a timely way. Please do not leave unaccompanied juniors at the venue, before or after each session, as this is not the Club’s responsibility.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

The Instructor in charge of the course will always be a GNAS qualified coach of Level 1 (or higher). They will be supported by both other coaches and experienced club archers.

GNAS is the officially recognised governing body for all archery activities in Great Britain. It trades under the name “Archery GB”.

CLOTHING, JEWELRY AND FOOTWEAR

There are dress regulations for your own comfort and safety:

Long hair should be secured out of the way.

Wear close fitting clothes that will not catch on the bow string. Avoid loose sleeves, baggy collars, cardigans and scarves.

Shoes should have enclosed toes, so that you do not stub against arrows buried in the grass. Flipflops, sandles and open toed shoes will not be allowed.

Remove all facial piercings and upper body piercings. If these get caught in a bow string it will be very painful.

Avoid dangly earrings and loose bracelets and necklaces, for the same reasons.

On outdoor courses bring a warm jumper and a waterproof. Once the sun goes down it can get quite chilly.

AFTER THE COURSE

If, having successfully completed the course, the Beginner decides to pursue archery and join the Club, they are very strongly advised NOT to rush out and buy their own equipment and kit.

To begin with the Club will loan them everything they need against a refundable deposit of £100, for a period of 5 weeks. If the equipment is kept for more than 5 weeks, the refundable deposit is reduced by £5.00 for each extra week.

Once the beginner has decided to get their own kit, if asked, a member of the Coaching Team will be happy to advise on the purchase of suitable equipment. This is to encourage beginners to buy appropriate kit that is tailored to their need and skills. It is all too easy to waste money on a bow or arrows that do not suit an individual.

Above all you are exhorted NOT to buy equipment from internet auction sites until you are experienced, as you will almost certainly choose the wrong stuff.

DISABILITIES AND INJURIES

The Club will endeavour to deliver a suitable Beginners Course to anyone who asks for it. However, if you have a disability or previous injury which might affect you physical ability to shoot a bow and arrow, you must tell us about it, in confidence, beforehand. We will always try to work with you enjoy the course, provided we believe it is safe for you to do so.