New to Archery?
This section will give you information on how to get started in the sport of archery, together with much of the material you will receive during your beginners course.
Archery was the artillery of its day and the longbow, in experienced hands, was a formidable weapon of war. Modern target bows still have the lethal potential of their ancestors, so the principle concern when starting out is learning how to shoot safely.
The Grand National Archery Society (GNAS), the sport's UK governing body, operates an insurance policy that covers all archers who are properly qualified and abide by the GNAS rules of shooting. All GNAS affiliated archery clubs operate a beginners course to meet the basic qualification requirements of this insurance. Nene Bowmen is no exception and all beginners must enrole in and successfully complete a 6 week course before being allowed to join and shoot.
We usually run 3 or 4 courses each year, some being indoors over the winter and others outdoors in the summer. To find out when the next available course will be run please see the Course Dates page. All the courses run on a Thursday evening from 6.00pm to about 7.15pm.
Archery does require specialist equipment, but don't worry, this will be provided for you during your course. There are some basic considerations that will help you turn up prepared and able to get the most from the course. You will find these on the Course Info page. To apply for a place on our next course please print the Application Form, complete and send it, with payment, to the address given.
There is a charge of £25 per person for the course. This helps pay for the hire of our shooting venues, as well as covering the cost of replacing equipment when necessary. The people who will be helping you learn about archery are all volunteers from the club who give up their time for free.
When you complete the course we hope you will decide that you want to join the club and continue shooting. If so, you will be able to use the club equipment for up to 6 more weeks to find out if archery really is for you. After this our coaches or other club members will be available to advise you on buying your own equipment. Please take advantage of this as its easy to make expensive mistakes!
If you have any questions about what the course involves or anything else,
please contact us and we will be happy to help.
