Frequently Asked Questions
The following answers to frequently asked questions might help answer a query you have. If not then please fill out our enquiry form accessible from our Contact page.
Yes we have associate membership. You must have current Archery GB (AGB) membership and any appropriate County and Region associate membership you need. The cost of joining as an associate member covers membership of Bournemouth Archery Club and associated Bournemouth University Chapel Gate fees.
As an associate member you are able to shoot at any of our shooting sessions but you do not have voting rights at any of the club meetings.
Unfortunately, no. Shooting at the ground is only available to club members or guests that are members of Archery GB (AGB).
If you are a member of AGB then you could shoot at our club as a visitor. You would need to contact us, provide proof of AGB membership, and arrange when to visit. There is a visitor’s fee.
If you are a member, associate member, or a visitor you can shoot outside on our archery range every day of the week excluding Bank Holidays and Special events put on by Chapelgate. We have morning, afternoon, and evening shooting sessions available (varying according to the time of year). During the winter we can also shoot indoors in the rifle range on Tuesday and Friday evenings subject to range availability. You must use our Eventbrite booking system to book a place on one of our shooting sessions.
Please note: Use of our Eventbrite booking system and shooting at the ground is only available to club members or guests that are members of Archery GB.
We have the following membership options available:
Senior 21+
Senior 21+ Disabled
Under 21
Under 21 Disabled
Associate Membership; Senior 21+, Senior 21+ Disabled, Under 21, and Under 21 Disabled
Please click for further information. Application Process.
Unfortunately, we are unable to support this form of Archey at our club.
If you are considering offering to donate Archery equipment, while we greatly appreciate your offer, it is Club policy to not accept any second-hand equipment. We have had issues in the past where equipment has been passed on to members in the club and it has been faulty.
The objective of the course is to teach you enough about the archery equipment, range safety and basic shooting technique to allow you to join the club (or another archery club) so that you can continue to shoot, enjoy and develop your technique and skills as an archer.
No, please don’t be nervous, all sorts of different people attend our courses. We have children as young as 12 years old and men and women right up into their 80s who come to learn to shoot. A typical course would have 12 participants and be roughly one-third children and two-thirds adults.
Yes, you can have family come along and watch you during the sessions.
We are disabled-friendly although some conditions or injuries may affect your ability to draw the bow safely. Please contact us and one of our coaches will be happy to discuss the options with you.
We run courses three times a year, Spring; February/March, Summer; June /July and Autumn; October /November.
Yes, you can buy a Course Gift voucher for somebody else as a gift.
Yes, there will be a mix of all ages, typically one-third children two-thirds adult.
All children under the age of 18 years will need to be accompanied by one of their parents/guardian for each session.
Any child that joins the club must be accompanied by their parent or guardian whenever they attend a shooting session.
No, you don’t have to do the course with them, although we would encourage you do so. We often find that the children enjoy sharing the experience with their parents. Most sports don’t cater for Parents and Children to join in together.
For safety and insurance reasons it is not possible for you to use your own bow on our Introduction to Archery course.
If you join our club then we are happy for you to use your own archery equipment as long as it is safe and complies with ArcheryGB rules. A coach or experienced archer will need to check your equipment and confirm it is safe to use.
If you have completed our archery course and joined the club you will have the opportunity to Hire Equipment from us. The equipment is of a high quality and suitable for novice archers, Your bow is like buying a suit, one size does not fit all, The Coaches will be able to assist you when choosing what is right for you. There will be a maximum length of time you can hire the equipment. After that you will need to purchase your own equipment or you may be able to purchase the hire equipment.
Likewise, if you so wish you can buy your equipment from an Archery Shop, again the coaches can provide a list of what you need and information on the various shops you can try.
If you have completed a beginners course with another club and wish to join our club you may still be able to hire equipment from us.
No, we provided a bow bag with all the necessary equipment, each bow will be assigned for the new Archer for the whole of the course and if you join the club after the completion of the course you can continue to use the club equipment for the four development sessions. These are designed to improve your basic skills and aid your integration into the club. Once this is completed you will be expected to provide your own equipment.
The course consists of three sessions spread over a three-week period, usually on a Saturday /Sunday. Each session lasts three hours with a short break in the middle, where Tea Coffee and Squash is provided.
The Course currently costs £75.00 per person. Please bear in mind this is due for review annually and may change.