Harlequin Bowmen are keen to welcome new members into the sport of archery.  Beginners course are held from the beginning of April until mid-August at our Harwell ground.  These courses are taught by qualified coaches and provide all the skills and information required by novice archers to shoot safely in a club environment.

 

It is advised that you do not purchase equipment before the start of a course.  Everything you will need will be provided by the club.  You cannot accurately gauge what equipment you will need until your shooting style has settled a little, and coaches will advise on bows and kit at the appropriate time.

 

Junior Beginners

 

Archery is one of the few sports where juniors and seniors can compete together, making it a great family sport.

 

Our beginners course is typically open to juniors from the age of 8 years and up.  Younger children are not normally aloud due to their small size (occasionally slightly older children are asked to wait a year or two for the same reasons).  Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times (this person need not undergo the course) and must remain at the venue whenever the child is present.  Please see our Advise to Parents page if you have any queries.  

 

The Course

 

The current cost of a beginners course is £40.  The course consists of four sessions.  The first session runs from 9-12 on a Saturday morning with the remaining sessions on Tuesday evening from 5.30 to dusk.  Some courses are run on four Saturday mornings.

 

The first session will normally have between one and four beginners to one coach.  The number is kept low to maximise interaction between the archer and coach. There are normally no other archers present.  On Tuesday evenings, the beginners will be on the field with other members of the club.

 

Clothing

 

Please wear footwear suitable for the weather.  Trainers are fine, but open toed sandals and flip flops are not allowed. On the top half of the body please wear close fitting clothes.  Tight clothing can restrict movement , while very loose or bulky clothing can foul the bowstring.  Also please avoid wearing clothing with drawstrings around the neck.  Jewellery must be kept to a minimum, all earrings must be removed except studs. If you have long hair please tie it back so that it will not get in the way.  

 

After the Course

 

On completion of the the course you can decide whether you wish to continue with the sport.  If you do, you must become a member of the club and pay the annual membership fees and normal shooting fees.  As a member, coaching will still continue and after a few weeks you will be advised on the equipment you need to obtain.

 

If you would like to take part in a beginners course then please contact our coaching officer, Mick Tappin on 01235 202500 or email him at goldenmick@ntlworld.com.

  

Or fill in the online application form HERE

 

If you wish to visit the club to see what archery is all about, then please visit us on a Tuesday or Friday evening or a Sunday morning and ask for Mick, Chris, Lynn, Brian or Steve.