As a kid, I made bows and arrows made from branches cut from hedgerows with my penknife. A few of us played shooting in the field to see whose arrows would go furthest. I think I got more fun from this than the rest of my friends, and when I saw an advert for a beginners' course (30 years later) I signed up. I was taken back to my childhood and the fun I felt was increased by using "real bows and real arrows and shooting at proper targets".
The pure pleasure of shooting arrows is still with me; I guess I am lucky.
These days, I see archers as they arrive for their first lessons and, see in them, the same sort of excitement that got me started.
Many of those beginners last a year or two and then move on to other things. A very small minority last longer than that, and become the experienced archers that I was once so keen to emulate.
The experienced archers form the nucleus of the club where I shoot. It seems to me that this might not be unique; and many clubs are in a similar situation. Their progress fits a similar pattern; a good number of new beginners, and a large drop out a year or so later, creating a small nucleus of experienced archers who are looked to for support by the newer members. And so it continues.
Some suggest that this situation is something than needs to be addressed and sorted out before archery clubs fall into disrepair and close down. I think it has been like this for so long that it is likely to run for many years to come. I guess other sports find things run to a similar pattern.
Although that pattern is still evident, there are changes taking place. Compared to the days when I started, the gear is more advanced and the jobs we do for ourselves are decreasing in number. Our new members belong to the 21st century and live the lifestyle that is appropriate to these times. There is no point in trying to stay as we were... who darns socks these days? Who makes bowstrings?Are they new members or the experienced ones?
I think the thing keeping archery alive is the experienced archers, and in particular those who the newer members want to approach for advice. The ones they see shooting. Shooting and enjoying it.
The pure pleasure of shooting arrows is still with me; I guess I am lucky.
These days, I see archers as they arrive for their first lessons and, see in them, the same sort of excitement that got me started.
Many of those beginners last a year or two and then move on to other things. A very small minority last longer than that, and become the experienced archers that I was once so keen to emulate.
The experienced archers form the nucleus of the club where I shoot. It seems to me that this might not be unique; and many clubs are in a similar situation. Their progress fits a similar pattern; a good number of new beginners, and a large drop out a year or so later, creating a small nucleus of experienced archers who are looked to for support by the newer members. And so it continues.
Some suggest that this situation is something than needs to be addressed and sorted out before archery clubs fall into disrepair and close down. I think it has been like this for so long that it is likely to run for many years to come. I guess other sports find things run to a similar pattern.
Although that pattern is still evident, there are changes taking place. Compared to the days when I started, the gear is more advanced and the jobs we do for ourselves are decreasing in number. Our new members belong to the 21st century and live the lifestyle that is appropriate to these times. There is no point in trying to stay as we were... who darns socks these days? Who makes bowstrings?Are they new members or the experienced ones?
I think the thing keeping archery alive is the experienced archers, and in particular those who the newer members want to approach for advice. The ones they see shooting. Shooting and enjoying it.