Notes for people on the April 2008 beginners course
For your information Introduction to Phoenix Bowmen Location Layout of Ovenden Park Course details Structure of the beginners course Terms and conditions And finally...For your information
This document was produced for people who are attending the archery beginners course run by the Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax. It gives some information about the club, describes the beginners course, states the terms and conditions that apply, and shows you where to find us.
I hope this is of use to you. If you have any questions or want to discuss anything, please call me on 07986 185882 or e-mail me at secretary@phoenixbowmen.co.uk.
Please note that this information is intended for people who have already booked their places on the course. It is NOT an open invitation to turn up on the day without notice! If anyone who has not booked a place on the course turns up, we cannot allow them to participate.
Tim Mason, secretary
Introduction to Phoenix Bowmen
The Phoenix Bowmen is a medium sized club that was founded in 1978. We are associated with Halifax Rugby Union Football Club and use their facilities. We shoot various types of bow, but most of us shoot Olympic-style recurve. We welcome beginners and experienced archers alike.
The Chairman of the club is Mike Watson. He ensures the club runs smoothly, guides the development of the club and chairs the club's meetings.
The Treasurer is Geoff Taylor. He collects the subscriptions, makes the necessary payments and manages the club's finances.
The Secretary is Tim Mason. He handles membership enquiries, maintains the club's website and handles the club's correspondence. Tim is also acting as the club's Child Protection Officer and is responsible for dealing with any issues or queries that relate to the protection of children and vulnerable adults.
The Equipment Officer is Grahame Cotterill. He maintains the club's equipment and ensures it is repaired or replaced when necessary.
The Records Officer is David King. He keeps details of what scores, classifications and handicaps you’ve obtained.
We have three coaches. Daniel Marshall, Grahame Cotterill and Tim Mason are all trained coaches.
The club has a constitution - a copy will be provided when you are ready to join the club. Adherence to this constitution is a condition of membership of the club, but is not a condition for participation in our beginners course.
Location
We use the facilities of Halifax Rugby Union Football Club at Illingworth on the A629. This is approximately 2.5 miles from the town centre behind Moorside Junior School. The entry road is just past the school and before Moorside Garage.
You may drive past Illingworth Sports Club, home of Illingworth RLFC. That is NOT our location - we're further down the road towards Halifax.
Below are some directions. Please keep these with you when coming to the club for your first session, so you don’t get lost.
From Halifax town centre:
Take the A629 north towards Keighley. After about 2.5 miles, you'll pass a Tesco Express/Esso station on your left, then you'll see a sign on your right for Moorside Garage, just after a zebra crossing. Turn right into this road and drive down into the grounds of Halifax RUFC.
If you pass a Morrison's supermarket on your left, you've gone too far.
From north of Halifax:
Get onto the A629 and follow it southwards towards Halifax town centre. Look out for a Morrison's supermarket on your right. When you pass it, continue straight on.
After about 200 yards, you'll see a sign on your left for Moorside Garage, just before a zebra crossing. Turn left into this road, and drive down into the grounds of Halifax RUFC.
If you pass a Tesco Express/Esso station on your right, you've gone too far.
Layout of Ovenden Park
Ovenden Park contains two rugby pitches, a training field, the rugby club’s buildings and a car park. The club usually shoots on the main pitch, but this may vary depending on conditions and whether anyone else is using the pitch.
The beginners course will take place either on the training field or the main pitch.
Toilets and tea-making facilities are available in the club buildings. These will normally be locked, but the coaches have keys, as do several other members.
Course details
Each beginner is assigned to one of the following sessions:
- Saturday mornings, 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM
- Sunday afternoons, noon to 1:15 PM
- Sunday afternoons, 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM
The Saturday sessions will run on the following dates:
- 12th April
- 19th April
- 26th April
- 3rd May
- 10th May
- 17th May
The Sunday sessions will run on the following dates:
- 13th April
- 27th April
- 4th May
- 11th May
- 18th May
- 25th May
Note that there is no Sunday session on the 20th of April because the coaches are away.
There will be additional catch-up sessions for anyone who has to miss a session. Please DON’T miss the first session, though!
Each session will last for about an hour, though time will be allowed for things to run on afterwards if necessary. We’ve found that an hour is about right for a beginners course session - any longer can lead to fatigue when you’re not used to archery.
The cost of the full course is £20 for juniors (under 18 year of age), £30 for seniors (aged 18 years and over). This is payable at the end of the first session or start of the second session.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. For children under 16, the parents must complete a consent form.
Shooting will be outdoors, so please wear clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. Always wear waterproof footwear, since the ground may be cold and damp even on dry days.
Avoid large loose sleeves, or anything else that may catch on the bow string.
Please advise us of any medical conditions that may be relevant.
After completing the sixth session, you'll be presented with a certificate confirming that you've completed a six-session beginners course with the Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax. You will then be eligible to join this club or any other GNAS-affiliated club as a full member.
You should look at getting your own equipment soon after completing the course - club members will be able to advise you on what you should get and accompany you to the local archery shops if you like. We advise you strongly, however, not to buy equipment before you have completed the course.
If you have already bought your own equipment, we CAN'T let you use it during the beginners course. This is because our insurance requires us to use only club equipment on beginners courses.
Structure of the beginners course
Below is an outline of what we expect to cover in each session. Some items may change depending on how the course is progressing.
Don’t worry about some of the jargon used.
Session 1
- Registration
- Safety, etiquette and range layout talk
- Quick overview of equipment
- Warm up and stretches
- Demonstration of barebow style by coaches
- Barebow shooting at short distance
Session 2
- More detailed look at equipment
- Demonstration of barebow style by coaches
- Barebow shooting at increasing distances
Session 3
- Explanation of shooting with a sight
- Demonstration of freestyle shooting (with a sight) by coaches
- Freestyle shooting at short and medium distances
- How to score your shots
Session 4
- Setting up and taking down equipment
- Overview of different types of archery and bow
- Freestyle shooting at various distances
- Guided development of your shooting form
Session 5
- Brief introduction to bow set-up/tuning
- Handicaps and classifications
- Shooting a short scoring round
Session 6
- Joining this club (or another)
- Introduction to tournaments (including dress code and equipment rules)
- Advice on selecting your own equipment
- Shooting a short scoring round
- Presentation of certificates
Terms and conditions
Certain conditions apply to your participation in the beginners course:
- All medical disclosures relevant to the sport of archery must be indicated prior to the start of the beginners course.
- All course fees must be paid in full by the start of the second lesson.
- Beginners course fees are non-refundable.
- Beginners course fees do not entitle you to membership of the Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax.
- All coaching and shooting will be strictly in accordance with GNAS rules, regulations and practice. The coaches will tell you the rules, regulations and practice as appropriate. Any contravention of shooting or safety rules by a student will result in immediate suspension of the student from the lesson.
- The Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax retain the right to refuse further access to the beginners course to any student who persistently disobeys the safety instructions or the rules of shooting.
- The Phoenix Bowmen of Halifax cannot accept any responsibility for damage or injury sustained whilst entering or leaving the ground.
These terms and conditions do not affect your statutory rights.
And finally...
Chat with other archers from around the world:
Archery Interchange UK
Find out more about archery in Yorkshire:
Yorkshire Archery Association
and about archery in the UK:
Grand National Archery Society
We look forward to meeting you and introducing you to the sport of archery!