Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start?

This is one of the most common questions that we are asked when people contact us. Before you are able to join Meriden Archery Club, you must be able to shoot safely. The GNAS have ruled that newcomers to the sport must undergo training, not least in order to be insured. To enable a new archer to join the club, we hold a beginner's course in the summer months which is run by experienced coaches over 8 weeks. All equipment is provided.

The cost of a beginner's course is currently £50.00 for juniors and £60.00 for adults.

If you would like to register your interest in our beginners course, please add your details through our waiting list form, or if you have further questions, use the contact form which will forward your enquiry onto the appropriate person.

How old must I be to begin archery?

At Meriden we welcome younger archers into the club. Children from the age of 8 years are able to join the beginner course, however a great deal also depends on the individual child. The coaches may suggest that a child older than 8 may be better waiting a year or two before they start.

Our main concern is that any archer can handle their equipment safely, reducing the risk of injury to themselves as well as to other archers, or people around the shooting field.

I have shot before, how do I join the club?

Meriden is a friendly club, welcoming members from a wide area. Established archers can apply to join the club after an assessment of their shooting safety by one of out coaches.

How much is membership?

Membership fees for 2007 - 2008 are as follows:

Junior archer’s affiliation fees to GNAS, CWAA, and WMAS are paid by the club.
Please note that junior archers must be accompanied at all times at MAC by a responsible adult who needs to have at least Associate Membership.
The £15.00 joining fee includes a copy of the GNAS Rules of Shooting.

What do I get for my money?

Membership of the best archery club in the world (Editorial bias). Seriously, members are welcome to shoot 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. The club has it's own extensive shooting grounds which makes this possible. Our grounds include a paddock with permanent targets upto 50 metres, with floodlighting upto 30 metres.

The club has a "comfortable" club house, with room to shoot indoors during inclement weather.

My group would like to have a go at archery - can you help?

Yes, we can organise "Have-a-Go" archery sessions for groups of people. We are able to supply all equipment and tuition by experienced coaches.

Typically, we charge £150 for parties of up to 15 people, £10/head thereafter up to a limit of approximately 25 people. Smaller parties (e.g. family groups) can sometimes be accommodated by arrangement with single coach at reduced rates – such enquiries should be directed to Tony Luff in the first place.

We would usually start at 6.30pm and shoot until dusk – for this reason we only run these sessions between early April and late September, to ensure you have a worthwhile experience.

The evening's shooting for large parties usually finishes with a shoot-off (for which prize medals are provided), after which your party will be welcome to use our barbeque facilities (fuel provided) – bring along your own refreshments and food to cook and eat outside as the evening draws in.

Please note: to be covered by our insurance, these events have to be arranged well in advance. We do not run "Have-a-Go's" on Wednesday evenings (our Club Night) or (for large groups) at weekends. We would ask for your choice of three dates, preferably with at least six weeks notice so that we can arrange a mutually convenient date.

Please use our contact form to outline your requirements.

You haven't answered my question...

We are continuing to build our FAQ in response to feedback from people. If you have a specific enquiry, please contact Andy.