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Archery
Archery is one of the most accessible sports, and can offer many opportunities across all age ranges and abilities. A very social and inclusive sport, it allows you to shoot in social settings and participate in friendly club and inter-club competitions. Seniors, juniors, young and old as well as disabled and non-disabled archers can all shoot and compete together.
Archery GB is the British body for all forms of archery in the UK, an inclusive sport which lends itself to all spectrums of the population – regardless of age, disability or gender. With over 800 clubs and more than 38,300 members, Archery GB is affiliated to World Archery, the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association.
Find Out More Find Beginners’ Courses & Clubs
Anyone can take part in archery and most disabilities can be accommodated in clubs. Clubs provide introductory courses, coaching and competitive opportunities. Beginning in the sport requires no classification, and you can take part in club activities and competitions with minimal adaptation required. Disabled archers can shoot standing, perching on a stool or sitting down. You only require classification if you wish to shoot internationally or enter Archery GB’s pathway or World Class Programme.
New archers are taken through a beginner’s course which teaches them all the basics of shooting and scoring, how to assemble equipment and understand the signals and safety requirements. This usually lasts 6 weeks and costs vary between £30-£70.
Archery clubs hold taster opportunities, called Have A Go sessions, and beginner’s courses regularly throughout the year, although most are held during the spring and summer months. Contact your nearest club to find out when their next beginner’s course is, and discuss with them the location, access and any additional support you may need.
During the winter, archers continue to shoot outdoors, although many clubs go indoors, and in the summer clubs are mainly outdoors. Archery is a grass field sport so wheelchair users will need to bear this in mind especially if relying on the British weather, and many clubs have their grounds in remote locations. Many clubs will install rubber matting and provide parking closer to the field for disabled members. You can also ask for an agent who will score and collect your arrows.
When coaching a disabled person, understand that they are the expert on their own needs. Speak with the disabled archers you coach about their abilities and aspirations, what they need from you and how you can help them have the best possible time and progress as an archer.
Archery is an inclusive sport and with very little adaptation anyone can participate. The guide below from Archery GB aims to offer support to ensure disabled people can participate in archery at all levels more effectively by highlighting good practice that is currently taking place within the sport.
Click on the links below to find out more about how you can get involved in Archery, and the organisations that can support you in your area.
Archery GB is the national governing body for archery in Great Britain. Archery GB is responsible for all levels of archery within the UK from grassroots to national and international teams.
The British Wheelchair Archery Association is here to help promote the sport of para-archery and assists with all aspects of the sport from grassroots information to elite level training.
If you are currently not active, have a look at how you can start:
View all wheelchair sports
