Archery GB Launches New Initiative

Archery GB has launched a ‘New Places for Target Faces’ initiative, encouraging leisure centres and other community venues to offer archery as an activity.

‘New Places for Target Faces’ is being rolled out across the UK to meet the increasing demand to try and regularly participate in archery. With an estimated 750,000 people experiencing archery every year, the initiative aims to offer facility owners and operators the support to establish archery as an activity at their venues.

According to Sport England’s Active People Survey, there are 54,000 adults who take part in archery once a month, 33,400 participating once a week and a further 90,700 people were identified as being interested in trying the sport of archery.

David Reader, head of development at Archery GB, commented: “Archery is one of the fastest growing sports in the UK, with thousands of people attending ‘have a go’ archery events at activity centres, holiday parks, archery clubs and other tourist attractions. It’s an Olympic and Paralympic sport that appeals to all ages and abilities.  

“Leisure centres and other community venues are seen as important drivers in the future growth of archery and we’re delighted to help them establish the sport as an activity in venues across the UK, helping them to stand out in a competitive leisure industry.” 

‘New Places for Target Faces’ can be delivered in two ways: external providers can deliver a variety of sessions for a venue, or alternatively, those working in leisure, recreation and educational environments can gain an Archery GB Instructor Award, provided by Archery GB, and lead the sessions themselves.

Archery retailers can provide all the equipment that venues require, with a basic kit starting from approximately £1,000. Archery GB is offering a number of grants as part of the programme which venues can apply for.