Who Are The Exeter Company Of Archers?

If you live in the Exeter area, your local target archery club is the Exeter Company of Archers. The club is based at Exeter School, and averages about seventy members, male and female, with ages from early teens to senior citizens, and skills ranging from 'novice' to 'county' standard. The club supports all aspects of archery, and encourages members to explore all aspects of the sport. Members use a range of equipment from the traditional Longbow, through the popular Olympic or Recurve style, to the technologically advanced Compound bow.

Although many members enjoy the sport for purely recreational purposes, there is a nucleus of competitive archers within the club who compete regularly at Target Archery competitions in the South West, or further afield. A number of members also compete in the related discipline of Field Archery, which normally takes place in wooded or mixed terrain, and offers a different type of challenge.

In addition, the club itself normally plays host to two major tournaments during the summer season; the DCAS Grand Day and the GWAS Intercounties Tournament, both of which attract the top archers from all parts of the region. The Exeter School facilities provide the club with an excellent location for winter (indoor) and summer (outdoor) shooting. The club has experienced and dedicated coaches and senior members, who are only too willing to offer assistance in a variety of appropriate areas, from advice on equipment and maintenance, to coaching on shooting. The club currently stands as one of the larger clubs in Devon and Cornwall.

The club also prides itself on the supportive work it lends to its neighbours in the region, and lends its depth of experience to a whole range of archery pursuits.

The club is affiliated to the Grand National Archery Society (GNAS / Archery GB), the Grand Western Archery Society (GWAS), and the Devon & Cornwall Archery Society (DCAS). GNAS is a member of FITA, the international archery organisation.

Where do you find us?
During the summer months (April - September) we can be found on the school field, the entrance to which is in Victoria Park Road, near the Cricket Pavilion. For the rest of the year we have the use of the Sports Hall within the school, accessed by the Manston Terrace entrance.

When can you find us?
The club is normally open to members on Tuesday and Friday evenings, plus Sunday afternoons. Times vary with season (see Calendar). Most sessions are also open to GNAS registered archers from other clubs, but proof of membership is required.

We regret that non GNAS affiliated BLBS or NFAS members are not able to shoot at Exeter Company of Archers' meetings.

How do I, and can I join?
Membership is normally open to anyone who has satisfactorily completed a GNAS recognised introductory course (see below), or is a current member of GNAS or another GNAS affiliated archery club.

With the exception of organised introductory courses or 'Have-a-Go' sessions, shooting is restricted to full or affiliated members of GNAS (the sport's UK governing body), or FITA.

Try Archery
A club 'Have-a-Go' session is an ideal way of experiencing archery for the first time. These sessions are organised several times a year, and cater for all ages (from ten years) and abilities. Tuition is by qualified coaches and/or other experienced archers, and the the range of equipment available is adequate for virtually all potential archers.
The sessions are normally of approximately two hours duration, and take place when the venue and coaching time is available (indoors or outdoors, depending on time of year).

During the summer months, the club also attends various 'Summer Fairs' and similar events in the area, and visitors to the event have the opportunity to try their hand at the sport.

   

Beginners' Courses

To follow on from the 'Have-a-Go' sessions, the club organises a number of introductory courses during the year. Early booking for these popular courses is essential, as numbers are limited. Summer courses usually take place on a Tuesday evening and comprise six two hour lessons on consecutive weeks, at the club’s outdoor shooting ground. Subject to the availability of the venue, autumn, winter, or spring courses may be held on Sunday afternoons in Exeter School Sports Hall (also six sessions of two hours).
All equipment is supplied, although we ask participants to wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Advice is available on enrolment.
The aim of these courses is to enable prospective new archers to have sufficient knowledge and experience to shoot the bow with confidence and consistency and have a sound understanding of the safety requirements.
Club membership is normally open to those who have satisfactorily completed a beginners' course, or who have been a registered member of another GNAS Club.
New members may use or hire club equipment until they are ready to purchase their own. Equipment advice is readily available at the club.

For all club based activities, the minimum age is ten years, and any participant under fourteen years of age must be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian).

What else does the club do?

The club can also arrange and host 'Have-a-Go' sessions for groups, subject to the availability of club members and venue. Alternatively, this could be at your own site, provided it meets safety and access requirements. Please contact us for details.
There is also a social side to the club, which includes such events as skittles evenings. There is also the usual Christmas dinner, plus other events during the year.

©Exeter Company Of Archers 1999-2010