TCA - Training

Tavistock company of archers beginners courses are held throughout the year, we try to get at least 2 courses completed each year. The course lasts 4 weeks and is held at Kelly Junior School in Tavistock. The cost of the course is £60 for adults and £50 for juniors and that includes all equipment and expert tuition by qualified NFAS/GNAS Coaches.

The courses are normally run on a Sunday morning and last for 3 hours at a time, all new archers must complete all 4 sessions and pass a final exam to gain their certificate.

We encourage and welcome new archers who may be physically disabled or have other disabilities or those of you who might be senior in years. If you are under the age of 16, then you will need to be accompanied at all times to the club by a parent or legal guardian.

The course covers all aspects of field archery and target archery. We supply everything so you don't need to have anything apart from enthusiasm to learn the correct way to shoot a bow safely when out on a field shoot with your fellow archers.

After a safety introduction by your coaches, you will be set up with your bow, quiver, tab and arrows. Starting at short distances you will learn the correct procedures and style of shooting. Through expert coaching and practice we will soon have you moving farther away from the targets as your aim and your shooting technique improves, you will also learn about etiquette.

You will meet members of the club who shoot different types of bow, they will tell you all about them and even demonstrate for you how they work etc.

Upon successful completeion of the course you will be provided with a certificate of merit, you will then be required to join TCA and after 3 months of regular shooting our club coaches will assess you and if you meet the required standard you will receive a certificate of competence.

Should you choose not to join TCA then your new club will have to take the responsibility of re-assessing you and issue you with a certificate of competence.

Remember Field Archery is more than just shooting arrows, we all help to set courses, we all help out at open shoots and other club run events, but the main thing is that we all enjoy ourselves.

We then advise you about getting your equipment, which shops are best and which ones to avoid. After a period of time you will be reviewed by both coaches to see how you are progressing, they will always be available to help and advise.