As a volunteer-run club, we are heavily reliant on our coaches giving up their time to run beginners courses. As such, the number we are able to run in any given year is limited, and spaces on each of the courses are in high demand.

When dates for beginners courses are finalised, they will be added below and will be available for booking on a first-come, first-served basis. To be notified when new beginners course places are available, please sign up to our waiting list through this Google Form.

Upcoming Dates:

April 2025

• Online Session - Wednesday 16th April, 19:30 (1 hour)

• In-Person Session 1 - Saturday 19th April, 09:30 - 12:30 (3 hours)

• In-Person Session 2 - Sunday 20th April, 09:30 - 12:30 (3 hours)

Beginners’ Courses

York Archers is a friendly and inclusive club, and we’re always keen to welcome new members. Before joining, you will need to attend a beginners course, to teach you the fundamentals of shooting and how to do it safely.

By the end of the beginners course, you will be able to:

• Shoot a bow and arrow competently and safely at 10- and 15-yard distances

• Learn and use the right form to shoot accurately

• Score your rounds, and understand imperial and metric scoring

• Try shooting barebow and with a sight (Olympic recurve)

• Safely set-up and take down range equipment

• Set up and take down your equipment, including stringing and unstringing your bow

• Understand range rules, safety procedures, and codes of conduct for the club 

• Understand anatomy and build of a bow, including poundage

The course consists of 3 sessions run by our friendly and qualified coaches – you will need to attend all of them in order to pass your course.

• Session 1 – Club Welcome (online) – this is an online session where you will meet the coaches who will be running the beginners sessions, run through range rules and safety procedures, and learn what the two live days will entail. This is also a good opportunity to ask any questions ahead of the live sessions. (1 hour)

• Session 2 – Live Session – your first live session will get you kitted out with your bow and arrows, safety equipment, and learning the basic techniques of shooting. (3 hours)

• Session 3 – Live Session – your second live session will be an opportunity to try sighted (recurve) shooting, and refining your form and skills from the first session. (3 hours)

After Session 3, you will be passed as safe to shoot, and welcome to join York Archers or any other club!

The price of the course also includes full use of the range and equipment for 3 introductory sessions at club nights with our coaches. These sessions will give you the opportunity to get to know the club, other members, and progress your archery skills building your confidence so that you’re ready to join us as a club member!

York Archers will supply all the equipment needed for the sessions, including bows and arrows. We have an excellent range of club equipment that will be suitable for the first few months of your archery journey, and use of that equipment is included in club membership.

You will also be given safety equipment – a finger tab, finger sling, and a forearm bracer – and a resistance band to practice your drills and skills. This equipment is yours to keep, and you will be given a York Archers pouch to keep it safe.

We are able to welcome junior archers aged 10 or over, as long as they have a parent or guardian to accompany them.

The cost of the course is £100, which includes:

• All your safety equipment, including, a finger tab, finger sling, forearm bracer, resistance band for training, and a York Archers branded pouch to keep it all safe

• Use of York Archers’ kit for the duration of the course and three progression sessions

• 1 hour online welcome session

• 6 hours of in-person coaching at our dedicated archery range

• 3 introductory sessions after your course with our qualified coaches, where you can join our regular club nights to meet other members before you sign up for membership

We hope to see you at a beginners session soon! If you have any questions about the course, please contact us.