March 2024 Newsletter

Hope you have all been well and wishing you all a warm welcome.
As the weather is starting to warm up and Spring is approaching we are looking to move outdoors again and so hopefully can look forward to a few Sundays of fun in the sun. We will therefore look to open up the pavilion and get things ready for us to start shooting outside from Sunday 7 April
and we have a fun day planned details of which are set out at the end of this newsletter, so please keep reading as there’s lots of important information you need to know before we get there.

Outdoors sessions:
We are looking to remove weekly bookings to go back to the way things were before Covid 19 and to make things simpler and the sessions more accessible. The range will therefore be open to start shooting each Sunday from 11am (set up from 10.30) until the point the last two archers remain and call it a day. (Subject to any closures for the odd Cricket match or private bookings).

You can turn up and leave whenever you wish throughout the day to fit in with your individual circumstances, but ask that you are responsible for putting up and taking down your own target each week. Please be mindful if others are already shooting that you’ll need to try not to disrupt them as you arrive and set up your target quickly in the break whilst arrows are being collected.
You might need to share targets and be flexible with your distances but we have a good number of targets now and can operate two details as necessary.
There will be a committee member/allocated person available each week to help and ensure the safety of the range and to assist you if you need any support in putting up a target.

Cost:
The cost of shooting each week from Sunday to Saturday will be £2.00 per person (senior & junior) ideally payable by bank transfer before you start shooting or cash if needed. You can shoot at the range at any other time throughout the week provided there are two AGB members on site (for heath & safety and insurance purposes) and you must let Zoe or myself know you’ll be on site as there could be cricket bookings or the grass being cut etc. that could prevent you accessing the site. If you haven’t shot on the Sunday and paid your £2 this is then also payable.

Registration:
Before commencing shooting on any day, please ensure that you have signed in and complete the register so we know who has been on site and with your payment method to assist Zoe in completing the accounts.

Coaching: 

Mike is our Head Coach and is currently completing his level 2 coaching qualification after successfully completing his Level 1 and is keen to provide help and guidance to those that want it. Please feel free to speak to him if he is about and he is looking to run a coaching session once a month from 11-12 which will be supported by any of our instructors also available that day to give you a regular opportunity to have some coaching. These sessions will start on the 7 April
and continue in May on the 2nd Sunday of each month thereafter.

Beginners courses: We have pencilled in two beginners courses and will be looking at getting these set up and the first one advertised in the next few weeks and emails sent out to those that have expressed interest. Please feel free to let us know if any friends and family that might be interested and we can send out details.

Provisional dates:
Sunday 28th April 2024 and Sunday 5th May 2024 followed by 4 weeks of support.
Sunday 9th June 2024 and Sunday 16 June 2024 followed by 4 weeks of support.

Golden records: 

We have now signed up to use this archery score sheet management system and full details of how you can use this will follow in a separate email.

This allows free records tracking for club members and you will be able to submit scores to the club from the shooting line, or when you get home. It saves having bits of paper with your scores on getting lost and you and the club can monitor and track your scores against any targets/badges you are working towards. Camilla is looking at options to replace the current ribbons on the progress badges as these are becoming frayed, so once organised we can replace any that you
have and provide any outstanding ribbons.

Once set up we are looking at running club shoot days where you can choose to challenge yourself to try something new and we will look to shoot a specific target round at a session. You can choose to enter and then submit your scores online. Next time you shoot that round you can then try to beat your personal best. This is a work in progress so please bear with us.

Website: The website is finally under construction and we hopefully will have something up and
running in the next 4/6 weeks. It will be a work in progress so please bear with us.

Regional Development Officer (RDO): In order to assist the club in developing further, we have been trying since early last year to engage with the Archery GB Development officer. We have finally had a response from the newly appointed RDO and have invited Alexandra Miller to join us at our session on 14 April to meet us all, but waiting to hear back whether she can make it. I’m sure you’ll all offer her a warm welcome and hopefully we can get some ideas and help and
support from her.

Committee members:

So you know who’s who, here’s a list of the committee and club member roles. 

Please feel free to talk to anyone on any matter.

Executive committee:
Chairman: Peter Hood
Secretary: Lindsay Plowman
Treasurer: Zoe Snell
Records officer: Camilla Sweet

Committee members:
Welfare and Safeguarding Officer: Susan Woodward
Head Coach: Mike Harman
Social Secretary: Kaz Wilde
Grounds and Maintenance Officer: Jason Snell
Junior Representative: Jessica Sweet

Instructors:
Mike Harman
Peter Hood
Roger Shenton
Adrian Woodward
Susan Woodward

Welfare and safeguarding Team:
Susan Woodward
Adrian Woodward

Mike Harman

Camilla Sweet

First Outdoor Session:
Sunday 7 April 

Schedule:

To help get back into the routine the first week will have a few items to help and support you back into shooting outdoors and to have a bit of fun. Provided the weather is kind the following is what we have planned and hope you can join us.

10.30-11.00 Range set up: please come along and set up your own targets as outlined above. .
11.00-12.00 Coaching session: supported by Mike and all the available Instructors, thank you all.
We can help give you a refresher, check your bow set up and give you some help getting back shooting for all those that want it. Range also open as usual if you’re all ready to go.
12.00-13.00 Picnic: Feel free to continue shooting or bring a picnic and join us for a catch up. We will bring along some cakes/biscuits to have with a cuppa.
13.00-15.00 Range open for shooting as normal
15.00-16.00 Field/3D session: Ade and Susan will be running a field/3D introduction session at the top of the field for anyone that wants to have a go. The range will remain open for those just wishing to shoot.

Please put away your targets once you have finished for the day unless others with to use them.

Thank you
Final note: Please be mindful that the club is run by volunteers who give up their spare time to ensure that everything behind the scenes is working as needed and the sessions can run each week. We always appreciate any assistance offered in helping and supporting the sessions, taking on the role of range captain, supporting newer members and being positive role models for all. We thank you for all your support in helping to keep the club running as without you this would not be possible.

We hope to see you down the range soon.
Kind regards
Newnham Archery Club