Rules and regulations surrounding Archery on squadron

Everyone General Training
1

Hi, I was wondering if anyone would know if there are any requirements from the MOD as to what archery equipment must be used, or if my squadron can purchase any equipment within reason. I’m a cadet and have been doing archery for the last 6 or 7 years, and I was having a conversation with staff, who said that they are not sure if the MOD requires specific equipment, as it is usually the case, and I have noticed that in a lot of posts on social media, everyone seems to be using a similar takedown wooden riser bow.

Is there an ACP or other doccument that specifically mentions archery and if so where can I find a copy of it?

I was also curious if cadets with the relevent coaching quallifications and safety training would be permitted to help out in any way, under CFAV supervision of course.

2

I would assume they’re would be a ACPETI for archery in key documents given it’s a sport?

3

A cane and a strong piece of para cord :roll_eyes:

1 Like
4

The only real nod to Archery i routinely see is buried in ACP300 (finance manual) under the “indemnified activities” list - which states it is cover provided it’s carried out “i.a.w Archery GB guidelines. Qualified instructors only to act as conducting officer”

So. You’d either need to find a local club willing to host a few sessions (and then raise the appropriate SMS and associated paperwork) - and potentially pay for it accordingly.

OR

Get somebody qualified, then buy all the required equipment, then find an appropriate place to do it, then raise the SMS and associated paperwork to make it happen! You then need to factor in the ongoing maintenance costs etc.

OR

Find a local Squadron or Wing who already have the kit and location, then either get one of their qualified staff to host, OR in the case of the Wing approach, get somebody qualified so they can utilise the kit. (and then raise the appropriate SMS and associated paperwork)

The course you need - as a baseline - is the ArcheryGB Instructor Award - Instructor Award Courses & Qualifications | Archery GB - and ArcheryGB stipulate that you must be 17 years old.

MANY years ago we managed to secure a £3000 grant for archery as a Squadron. This covered course costs to get qualified AND sufficient equipment to set us up for a few years. We’ve then topped it with replacement stuff as necessary, plus running repairs.

Most of our sessions are now intro sessions on take down recurve bows doing target archery - learn the basics, develop principles, a few engaging games etc. We will very occasionally do a progressive training thing to improve skills and knowledge - but it needs a suitably committed cohort (and free instructor!) to make it viable.

We - locally - only use Recurves. The additional faff of compound or long bows - both in terms of expense, maintenance, storage but also physical ability of some of our smaller cadets - make these a less viable option. Recurves are simple, largely bombproof and great for intros.

Nor do we really touch field archery, flight or clout - purely as we don’t feel we could safely or comfortable run these disciplines.

My advice to anybody who wants to take it further is the same as things like Paddlesport, MTBing or (sadly now) gliding. If you want to really specialise and immerse yourself in the activity, go and join a specialist club that delivers it. We make for a great intro and entry point - but we cannot be specialists in everything, and we can’t really do it justice either!

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5

I’m bumping this as the most recent thread about archery.

How are other qualified archery people going to manage this new move to a subscription service, over the 3 yearly requalification we had to do previously?

ArcheryGB now want £30 a year, compared to £40 for 3 years previously. Has anyone signed up to it?

They haven’t made the competency check available to anyone who isn’t a subscriber, and don’t have any plans to do so yet so we’re a bit stuck unless we ramp up our payments.

6

All these membership costs start to add up pretty quickly. BMC, MTA, MIAS, Paddle UK/BC etc.

7

This has been shared by DNW

Archery Qualifications
Archery GB have changed the way they manage their qualifications. These use to be done on a three-year cycle, where the CFAV would then have to take a mandated knowledge test to renew. This has now changed to be a 12-month renewal cycle, but the test is no longer mandatory by Archery GB. However, they are still going to be providing the test as an optional choice for applicants. This will be free for those who are paying on a subscription model with the NGB, and for those who are not then a small charge will be payable. Therefore, RAFACHQ have decided to make no change to the RAFAC policy. CFAV will need to be a paid-up member of Archery GB still, but they will have to complete the knowledge assessment once every three years. This means we will essentially be sticking to the model Archery GB used to do but enforcing it ourselves.
DurNorWing Announcement

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8

Archery GB Instructor Re-Qualification Update

Archery GB have removed the compulsory 3-year requalification for Archery Instructors and replaced with a Competency Check.

With immediate effect, all CFAVs wishing to continue to act as an Archery instructor after initial qualification are required to re-qualify using the on-line Competency Check every 3 years.

Certificates are to be upload to SMS.

Where an instructor has signed up to the Archery GB 12 month Instructor Subscription the Competency Check is free along with other CPD courses and discounts.

Where an instructor is not signed up they can pay a fee to complete the Competency Check.

I have not be able to ascertain an exact price for the Competency Check if instructors are not signed up to the Instructor Subscription but expected cost is between £40-£50, compared to the current £30 for 12 months subscription. I also do not have a link to the course as it is expected instructors will need an account to access it.

FROM HQAC

9

Yep, I’ve had this. The problem is the competency check doesn’t yet exist unless you become a member, so you can’t just pay for it.

10

So we have to be paid members? at £30 a year?

11

seems so,
This thread is the first I knew of it

12

From the perspective of a cadet, as someone who has been doing archery every weekend since I was about 7 or 8, I’d just like to throw my opinion out there: Archery GB has fallen out of favour with an increasing number of clubs, due to high fees, and little in return. These new Instructor Awards seem to follow the trend of taking as much money as they physically can, for little in return, at least in my opinion.

Most clubs will run courses for new archers that are 6-8 sessions long, with a session each week. Instructor Awards are run over two days, and holders of these qualifications are expected to run a range and help coach (in a fashion) complete beginners to the sport. I believe they aren’t worth the paper they are printed on unless the CFAV completing them already has experience with archery.

It’s somewhat frustrating to watch: The Instructor Award may show staff how to run a safe range, but not a good one (unless they have prior experience). In my opinion, it would be better to support your local archery club. Many would love the opportunity to introduce the sport to cadets, and the experience would be far better.

(plus it could potentially work out cheaper than running on squadron: £190-250 for the instructor award, plus equipment if you can’t borrow any)

13

My instructor just paid the £30 and thats it for another 3 years