Beginners Information and Course Dates

Cheltenham Archers Welcomes New Members!

We run regular Beginners courses which are designed to teach the basic skills of archery in a friendly and enjoyable way. People of almost any age and physical ability (although a degree of physical fitness is required) can enjoy archery, although the club have strict conditions regarding the participation of young persons.

All courses are run in accordance with the Archery GB requirements and guidelines.

The courses are run over four weeks in four, two-hour sessions. All the equipment you need is provided.

At the end of the course you will have been taught the essential safety requirements to protect yourself, and others, from harm. You should be able to shoot a recurve bow with reasonable confidence and skill. You will also have been introduced to other types of bows (traditional longbow, compound bow and others).

It is our policy that everyone joining the club must have been on an Archery GB Beginners’ Course, either at Cheltenham Archers, or another club.

For further information please open the following link:

Archery GB Getting Involved in Archery

Taster Session

A taster session is a 2 hour 1-2-1 coaching session that will give you the confidence to shoot at a target with guided supervision.

All equipment will be provided.  Cost of the 2-hour session is £20 –  Application form

April 26th 2025 starting at 1pm. limited to a maximum of 20 places.

Please contact Rich at beginners@cheltenhamarchers.com if you would like more information or to apply for a place on the course see application forms.

Beginners Course Dates

May 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th starting at 5:15pm –  Application form

June 27th, July 4th, 11th and 18th starting at 5:15pm –  Application form

All Our beginner’s courses run over four weeks and are limited to 20 beginners.

All equipment will be provided.

The cost of the four-week course is £80 per person.

If you have completed the Taster session then you will receive a £10 discount.

Please contact Rich at beginners@cheltenhamarchers.com if you would like more information or to apply for a place on the course see application forms.

Course Instructors

The instructor in charge of the course will always be an Archery GB qualified coach of Level 1 (or higher). They will be supported by both other coaches and experienced club archers.

Archery GB (the trading name of the Grand National Archery Society) is the governing body for all forms of archery in the United Kingdom, including target archery and field archery.

Clothing, Jewellery and Footwear

There following dress regulations are observed for your own comfort and safety:

  • Long hair should be secured out of the way.
  • Close fitting clothes that will not catch on the bow string should be worn. Avoid loose sleeves, baggy collars, cardigans and scarves.
  • Shoes should have enclosed toes, so that you do not stub your toes against arrows buried in the grass. Flip-flops, sandals and open toed shoes will not be allowed.
  • Remove all facial piercings and upper body piercings. If these get caught in a bow string it will be very painful.
  • Avoid dangly earrings and loose bracelets and necklaces, for the same reasons.
  • On outdoor courses bring a warm jumper and a waterproof.

After the Course

If, having successfully completed the course, you decide to pursue archery and join us, then you are very strongly advised NOT to rush out and buy your own equipment and kit.

Initially we will loan you everything you need for a period of 5 weeks, subject to a refundable security deposit of £100. If you keep the equipment for more than 5 weeks, then your refundable deposit is reduced by £5.00 for each extra week.

Once you decide to get your own kit, a member of the coaching team will be happy to advise on the purchase of suitable equipment. It is all too easy to waste money on a bow or arrows that do not suit you – the coaches are experienced archers and will help you make the best choices possible. Above all, let us offer this advice –  don’t buy equipment from your favourite internet auction sites until you are experienced, as you will almost certainly not be spending your money on appropriate equipment.

Disabilities & Injuries

We will endeavour to deliver a suitable course to anyone who asks for it. However, if you have a disability or previous injury which might affect your physical ability to shoot a bow and arrow, you must tell us about it beforehand. We will treat this information in the strictest of confidence. We will always try to work with you to enjoy the course, provided we believe it is safe for you to do so.

Children, Young Persons and Vulnerable Adults

We follow the Archery GB policy on safeguarding children, young persons and vulnerable adults. The full policy can be found here.

In addition to the above, we have some specific policies regarding this. In practical terms this means that we will only accept Juniors over 10 years old onto our courses. Furthermore, Juniors under 16 must be accompanied at all times on the course by a parent or guardian. Juniors over 16 may attend unaccompanied, provided we have a signed consent form from a parent or guardian.

It is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to see that the Junior is delivered to, and collected from, each session in a timely manner. Please do not leave unaccompanied Juniors at the venue, before or after each session, as this is not our responsibility.