About Killingworth Archers

WHO WE ARE - Killingworth Archers was formed in April 1975 with the help of Killingworth Sports Centre and North Tyneside Council. The founder members were Eddie Bransfield, Tommy Hagan, Derek Carter, Bryan Imrie and George McGowan. The club badge was taken from the design on the 'Killingworth' family stone, unfortunately so badly weathered now that it can no longer be seen in detail.

WHERE WE ARE - We are based at Killingworth in North Tyneside, which is to the North East of Newcastle Upon Tyne, and have outdoor facilities at 'Longmeadows' which is also the venue of Killingworth Young Peoples Club. We have use of this outdoor facility year round. The image which is shown at the top of this page was taken at our outdoor venue and if you look closely you will see the North Sea in the distance. In the winter, for 'club' nights and weekends we use local school premises.

COACHING AND COACHES - The club is well represented by qualified archery coaches from Coach to Senior coach standard and we achieved 'Club mark' status in 2008. We appear on the 'Club Mark' web site as a club that has proved it is capable of providing a safe and well managed environment for juniors in the sport. Here we show our club secretary receiving the 'Club Mark' certificate from the President of G.N.A.S.

MEMBERS - The majority of members shoot 'Recurve' bows, also known commonly as 'Olympic Recurve', but we have a healthy and growing number of members who choose to shoot the more modern 'compound' bows. As a second choice many members also shoot the traditional 'longbow'.

FORMS OF ARCHERY - We shoot 'target' and 'clout' at the facilities we have. Members also shoot 'field', (shooting across open ground and in 'native' countryside rather than on a flat field) but this must be done at those venues which can support this form of archery. Outdoors, ladies may expect to shoot up to a maximum of 80 yards and gentlemen to a maximum of 100 yards. Juniors shoot to a maximum distance dependent on age. New members are encouraged to shoot at shorter distances and increase the distance gradually as technique improves. No one is obliged to shoot to maximum distances. It depends only on the enthusiasm of the member.

Archery takes many forms and not all archers take part in all of these different groups. From 'Re-enactment' groups to field archers, flight, Clout and target, archery has numerous enthusiasts in each. Even within these groups we have various bow styles. Longbow, either the traditional 'D' profile or the 'faster' flat bow through wooden bows of exotic woods and laminates, to the often seen 'Olympic' recurve bow with it's stabilisation and modern engineered lines. Onwards up to the latest innovation of the 'compound' bow with it's cam system at the tip of each limb using technology to assist in the holding of 'peak' weight at full draw.

It would be foolish to say that Archery is a small sport in opportunity, but in numbers within the Grand National Archery Society (ArcheryGB), of which Killingworth is a member club, the total membership is about a modest 20,000+ nationally. GNAS has a web site at www.gnas.org and within this site you can search for some of the many clubs available.

Killingworth runs and advertises it's adherence to a 'child and Vulnerable adults policy' so we have some restrictions on entry age level. You may find many clubs have a similar approach but this should not prevent you enquiring about the sport if you have young children. We also encourage shooting by the visually impaired provided that the archer has a competent 'spotter' as an assistant. Seldom are we in a position to admit that someone cannot shoot, and, if done, is usually on safety grounds.

Most clubs shooting outdoors will be seen to have a wide clear zone 'fenced' off while shooting. This is not because we want the whole field as our own but to ensure we reduce all risks to a minimum while pursuing our sport. The sport is largely kept risk free because of our precautions. Those who have had a knock from a poorly aimed golf ball, or football, on any playing field may appreciate the precautions we take?