THE GRAND NATIONAL ARCHERY SOCIETY (GNAS / ARCHERY GB)

The Grand National Archery Society, formed in 1861, is the main archery body for the UK. The objects of the Society are to promote and develop all aspects of competitive archery amongst all sections of the community.

The GNAS is affiliated to the world archery body, FITA (Federation International de Tir à l' Arc), and organises the selection of teams to represent Great Britain at international events, including the Olympic Games. There are also training schemes for all grades of archery coaches and judges.

Individual archers are affiliated to GNAS through their club, via the County and Regional archery organisations. This also provides public liability insurance cover when shooting at an official club meeting or event.

THE BRITISH LONG-BOW SOCIETY (BLBS)

The British Long-Bow Society was formed in 1951, with the object of preservation of traditional forms of British archery dating from medieval to Victorian times.

There are strict rules on types of equipment allowed under BLBS rules, and shoots are organised in a manner laid down during the Victorian era (period costume is often welcome at BLBS shoots). There is an arrangement which allows BLBS members to shoot at certain GNAS longbow tournaments, and vice-versa.

THE NATIONAL FIELD ARCHERY SOCIETY (NFAS)

The National Field Archery Society dates from 1972, and was set up to encourage the skills associated with field archery, in which the archer is competing against him/herself, the other competitors and the type of terrain encountered. Regional and national championships are organised. The NFAS has no reciprocal agreement with either GNAS or BLBS.

EXETER COMPANY OF ARCHERS

Exeter Company of Archers is the local club for the Exeter area. The club is based at Exeter School, which has excellent facilities for outdoor and indoor shooting. Club membership averages about seventy, of all ages and abilities. Coaches, judges and county officers are included amongst the membership.

The club is well respected on the competition front, with frequent success at local, county, and regional tournaments. Most seasons see one or more club members selected to represent the County at competition. Exeter is also a popular competition venue, and top grade tournaments are hosted each summer. There is an enthusiastic field archery group within the club, and a number of members shoot the traditional longbow.

Exeter Company of Archers is affiliated to the GNAS via the County and Regional bodies (the Devon & Cornwall Archery Society, and the Grand Western Archery Society, respectively). There is no club affiliation to either BLBS or NFAS, but individual members are welcome to join either or both organizations as 'independent members', in order to gain maximum enjoyment and benefit from the sport.

Archery is a popular sport in the South West UK, and most areas have one or more local clubs.

GNAS Clubs DA662 (Senior) & DA1571 (Junior)

©Exeter Company Of Archers 1999-2009