Archery for Fun and Awards!
By Mark Hudson
Shooting for fun and for awards are really the same thing for many archers, the pursuit of an award offers both a sense of fun and accomplishment for trying, as well as being immensely satisfying to achieve! However, not all challenges or awards need to involve shooting great distances, or shooting in tournaments where many might feel under pressure to do well when against other competing archers; These environments can seem very daunting to new and inexperienced archers, which can easily lead to feelings frustration, disappointment and insecurity.
The good news is, there are other ways for archers to challenge themselves, quietly and at their own pace, on the club archery field, and receive awards for their achievements. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? Well, this is exactly what the "252 Challenge" offers! After being introduced earlier this year it has already proved very popular among our members, archers are keen to improve their archery and excited to win those all-important badges of merit to pin to their quivers.
Of course, there are plenty of external competitions to enter throughout the year, as an individual archer or part of the club team competing in the Kent Archery League, which are always joyful and friendly events. While these are all well and good if you are an archer with a little more experience and confidence, we know that it doesn't necessarily appeal to everyone, especially those still in the early stages of their archery journey.
It's important to reinforce to beginner archers that the only person they need to compare themselves to, is them! That's why we think the new internal club "252 challenge" will boost members confidence and keep them improving on their personal bests in a calmer, more relaxed and zero pressure environment- as well as rewarding all their hard-work and progress with our 252 badges!
We want the "252 Challenge" to fuction not unlike our other internal club competitions and challenges as we have found they appeal more broadly to members of different levels and prove very popular, perhaps this is because they are part of a normal club day, surrounded by friends who are willing to support and help in equal measure but also, most importantly, are fun and fulfilling shoots. This may also provide a smoother transition for archers as they build their confidence with the 252 Challenge, they will become familiar with the atmosphere of our internal club competition shoots- making it easier for them to feel more comfortable participating in these when they feel ready and ,in-turn, making it more likely for them to want to shoot at external competitions in the future!
Through the winter months we run the aptly named Frostbite League, a short and sweet 30 metre round for any bow style, that can be shot at any time, set up and put away quickly, but most importantly it can be completed before your fingers turn to icicles!
This Spring we started the 252 Challenge, open to all members to shoot in their own time, requiring a score of 252 points from 3 dozen arrows at increasing distances from 20 yards - up to 100 yards, with the award of badges for each successive distance achieved. Because this is a measure of the archer's developing skills and technique, every distance badge carries a high degree of respect for the archer's achievement and the badges should be worn with pride!
It has been lovely to see the benefits and popularity of the "252" as a handful of our new and experienced archers have already achieved 252 awards, with different bow styles, at 20 to 60 yards, with others practicing keenly to earn their awards soon. In fact, one of our archers who seldom tries shooting beyond 60 yards, and didn't think he would manage further distances, has already secured his 60 yard 252 badge. And with encouragement from the club, the confidence boost from achieving his 252 60 yards, as well as his improved accuracy and consistency, has been emboldened to try for his 80 yard badge; a goal we are all excited to see him accomplish!
That's a great example of how the 252 Challenge works!
Some members who regularly shoot together will often choose to shoot particular rounds together, in a friendly competition, which adds a bit of fun to a morning's archery. I mention this because even though the 252 Challenge can be done as a solo challenge, at your own pace, it's also open to do with friends which adds a layer of community and friendly rivalry which can help push you to progress further.
A common thread with archery, as I mentioned earlier, is the archer competing against themselves; a personal challenge to improve their skills and scores week after week. There will always be a few fustrations and hick-ups along the way, everyone has good and bad days- which is why it's so important to look back and see how far you've come! With the 252 recording the achievements and scores of archers we hope this will serve as a better reminder to all who participate- just how much you are actually progressing, which can come as a pleasant surprise when it feels like you've been struggling!
Good shooting to all . . . . and remember to have fun!
Next season we are planning to add a club Summer League, to build on the success of the winter Frostbite League . . . so keep an eye out for more details!
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