Well we’ve hit the bullseye this week because we are having a look at archery. I can remember decades ago archers practicing at Netherhall Rugby Union club as we passed on our way to Allonby.
Happily they are still going although not now at Netherhall but Jeff Higham agreed to tell us about the club and the sport’s progression.
Jeff, first of all can you just tell me about your involvement with archery. How it started and how it has developed?
I first had an interest in archery as a hobby to do with my son so around 17 years ago we completed a beginners course at a local club. Turns out it wasn’t for him but I really enjoyed it so joined the club, started competing and made some good friends.
After a time as Maryport archery club was handier for me I transferred there and am still a member and now chair of the club.
You are still Maryport Archery Club but are based in Aspatria. When did that happen and why. as I can remember the archers at Netherhall decades ago?
We shot at Netherhall rugby club for many years but needed somewhere for the winter months indoors which was handy so the school offered both a hall to use in winter and their field for summer, along with storage facilities.
We shot at school for around three years but unfortunately they needed the storage unit back so we needed to look for an alternative. We couldn’t go back to the rugby club as they were now using the ground for junior football on most days so this is when the members started looking for alternatives and Aspatria Rugby Club invited us to shoot there as they wanted to increase the diversity of sports being played at their ground.
We have now been based there for just over two years and the rugby club have been really welcoming to archery and the members.
We have had a visit to the club from an Archery GB official and she was really impressed with, not only the new site, but also the club members, their shooting and friendliness.
How competitive is archery in Cumbria? Is it restricted to individual clubs, are there open tournaments or county championships?
There are around seven or eight clubs within Cumbria and some of them run competitions throughout the year which are open to all Archery GB members both from within and outside the county.
Some club members also shoot at competitions organised by clubs outside Cumbria and we also have county championship once a year (in May this year) and I am proud to say this is hosted by Maryport Archery Club at Aspatria Rugby Club.
This competition is also known as a UK record status event and open to members from throughout the country who are attempting to gain points in increase their ranking with a view to shoot for the UK team at events.
The county also has some members who have shot in competitions overseas as far away as the USA.
Looking at your own club and the rest of the county how is archery doing compared to other sports – for numbers mainly?
Obviously with the Covid lockdowns all clubs were unable to meet and shoot for quite sometime so unable to gain new members and lost current members who didn’t return when archery opened up again.
We are now in a position to offer beginners courses and have a go sessions and this is bringing the membership back up to pre Covid levels.
If someone wanted to start-up in the sport what would they need and how much to get equipped?
New starters need to complete a beginners course of six hours and should contact their local club to enquire about these.
We (Maryport Archery Club) normally run three or four beginners courses throughout the year and anyone interested can message me via the clubs facebook page.
Once a course is to shoot, archers must become members of archery GB as this covers insurance etc.
To start with our club provides all equipment needed so that there is not too much expense to try the sport.
Members will then give new starters advice on equipment needed prior to any purchase so they don’t go ahead buying the wrong items. Second hand equipment can be picked up reasonably.
Do you, or other clubs/the county perhaps have coaches to instruct youngsters taking up archery and how does that operate?
As mentioned above beginners courses.
I can recall some Cumbrians doing well at the top level in archery. Can you tell us about those?
The County has had Alan Wills shoot in two Olympic games (2008 and 2012) and other members both adult and junior have shot in the Great Britain squad.
Also each year some county members get an invitation to shoot at the Royal Toxophilite Society trophy day in Slough which is an honour and I have been lucky enough to compete there.
Is it an all-year-round sport, how often do you meet at club level for practice and competitions?
We shoot all year outdoors on a Sunday morning and a Wednesday evening (April to September) and the Wednesday evening goes indoors during other months. At the present time our indoor sessions are at Crosby village hall.
Is the club entirely self-supporting or do you have important sponsors?
The club is entirely self-supporting with funds coming from annual memberships, beginners courses and have-a-go sessions.
One of the most popular have-a-go sessions is at Distington vintage rally where a group of members spend the day letting adults and children try out archery and encourage joining a club to pursue the sport.
Which leads nicely onto the final question. If you were given a shed-load of money how would you spend it for the benefit of your club and the sport in Cumbria?
I would love to have the funds available to build an indoor all-year-round range which could also be used for other sports and other clubs. There is the space to do this at Aspatria Rugby Club – just need the money!
Finally I would encourage anyone to come and give it a go as it is a sport where all abilities can shoot together.
