Archery
Archery is a sport for all people. That’s the message from the GNAS – the sports governing body. Men, women and juniors from all sections of the community are encouraged to participate at all levels in the sport. Also Archery is increasingly popular with people with disabilities.
The use of the bow and arrow goes back to the ancient Egyptians and archery is now an Olympic sport, but it wasn't until 1900 that Archery first appeared in the Olympics.
The 'aim' of the sport is simple - archers must hit a target consisting of five coloured rings.
The closer to the centre of the target the arrow lands, the more points are scored.
EQUIPMENT
Modern bows are made from laminations of wood with carbon fibre, fibreglass, ceramic or hard foam.
The arrows consist of a carbon or aluminium shaft with a steel head.
At the Olympics, the targets are 122cm and 80cm in diameter and competitors must stand a distance of 70m from the target.
HOW TO GET STARTED
If you feel inspired to take aim, The Grand Archery Society should be your first target. Other useful websites:
The British Wheelchair Archery Association is a multifaceted organisation and assists with all aspects from grassroots information to elite level training.
The Association is the reference point for all wheelchair users, for those wishing to try archery , by putting them in touch with local clubs.
'Blind' and 'Archery' are not two words that naturally appear in the same sentence. But we hear it all the time "You're Blind, how can you do archery?". Hopefully some of the content on the British Blind Sport Archery website will enlighten you into the ways and methods that are in place to enable Blind and Partially sighted people to participate in Archery.