join our club

Taster and beginner courses

Thank you for your enquiry about pursuing your interest in Archery. It is a very inclusive sport, regardless of age, gender, ability, strength or ambitions. We are a Community Amateur Sports Club, which has occupied its current location since 1958. It is run by the Members for the Members. We have a Junior Club, which has exclusive use of the Club from 9.30am to 2.00pm every Saturday.

The Members can be as young as 8yrs (if the children of existing Members. If not, the lower age limit is 10yrs), up to 18yrs. Senior Members, who start at 18yrs, and currently with active archers up to 80yrs.

We have those who aspire to become Elite Archers, and those who just wish to shoot a bow and arrow for the sheer joy of it, in the company of like-minded people. It is a very supportive sport, where we all endeavour to both help each other to improve our skills, but more importantly to keep each other safe.

Archery Facilities

We have a full distance (upto 90m / 100yds) Outdoor Range, which is accessible all year. This is complemented with an all-weather shelter, fully illuminated, with heating and floodlights which permits night shooting.

There is a modest Indoor Range, which provides shooting up to the International distance of 20yds. This is where Members can practice for taking part in the many Indoor Competitions held at other Clubs throughout the region from November to March. It is also used for holding Beginners Courses on Monday evenings from 7.00pm to 9.00pm.

The facilities we provide therefore allow Senior Members to have access to shooting opportunities 24/7, everyday of the year, regardless of the weather and time of day.

Archery Opportunities

If you simply want to have a go, either to just try the sport out, or decide whether you would like to take the sport up more seriously, we provide TASTER SESSIONS for all ages. These are 2hr Archery Sessions, usually held outdoors on a Saturday afternoon. With one to one instruction from either an experienced archer or one of the Club Coaches. The cost is £25pp for Seniors, with discounted charges depending on age.

Should you wish to take the sport up. The best way to do so safely is to join a recognised Archery Club. The only way to join a Club is to have taken and passed a BEGINNERS COURSE. We provide 8 Courses per year for a maximum of 6 candidates. The Course consists of 4 x 2hr Sessions held on consecutive Monday evenings between 7.00pm and 9.00pm. Anyone can shoot a bow and arrow. To hit what you thought you were aiming at, is a different thing all together! You will experience both joy and frustration. You will have one to one instruction with one of the Club Coaches. They will seek to provide you with the skills and confidence to become competent archers, the knowledge to become safe archers, and the enthusiasm to take the sport up. The cost for the Course is £70pp, with a £10 discount if you have previously taken a Taster Session with us.

If you demonstrate you are competent and safe you will pass the Course and be awarded a Beginners Certificate to recognise your achievement. You will also receive an Invitation to become a Member of Stalybridge Archery Club.

The current Annual Membership Fees for 2024 - 2025 are Over 21 (Senior): £161. Disabled: £119.20. Under 21 (18 – 21): £121. Under 21 (Junior): £77.70. Instalment payments over a 3 month period are available on request. These Fees include Club running costs and Affiliation Fees (Insurance provision) to our Governing Body (Archergb), Regional Body (Northern Counties Archery Society) and County (Cheshire Archery Association)

Post Course Progress

Should you then decide to join the Club, either as a Junior or a Senior, you will not be left to your own devices.

Juniors will take part on the Saturday Sessions, under the guidance and supervision of experienced Archers. All of whom have been subject to, and passed a Disclosure and Barring Service check, received Safeguarding training and will comply with the Club’s ‘Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adult’ Policy and Procedures.

As a Senior, 3 coaching / mentoring sessions per week are available. 6.30pm – 9.00pm on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and 2.00pm – 5.00pm on Saturday afternoons. You choose when and how often. In addition, we will provide you with all the archery equipment you will need. This will be available for upto 3 months, or sooner, when the Supervising Coaches are satisfied that you are skilled enough and need to purchase your own equipment. We will provide you with a full specification for the kit you require.