Building Archery Communities - Robert's Report

Earlier in the month, we delivered our Soft Archery Leaders Award training course to coaches from KA Leisure (North Ayrshire Leisure).  We would like to thank Edna and Jim from Ancient Society of Kilwinning Archers (ASKA) who came along to share knowledge expertise and experience with the group.  

One of the attendees on course stated: ''I haven't had any experience before about Archery so it was great to learn a new sport to deliver as part of our multisport programme.''

KA Leisure are now keen to explore opportunities to encompass Soft Archery into their Inspire programme.  The programme provides  opportunities for children and young people aged 3-13 to experience sporting activities, arts, drama, dance and music.   We also hope this could be the start of positive partnership between KA Leisure and ASKA to help provide pathways for youngsters to access their local archery club.

Well done to all the coaches completing the course and thanks to Scott Robertson from KA Leisure for helping to organise this.

Recently, I have been delivering Soft Archery taster sessions with over 50 sports leaders from Trinity High School in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.  The aim of these sessions was to introduce archery to S5 & S6 young leaders to give the pupils experience of a new sport. 

Further to this, we hope that leaders enjoyed experiencing the physical and mental health benefits that archery possesses.  Both groups across the two sessions were very engaged in the session and it was great to see the enthusiasm and competitiveness from the pupils. 

Next steps include arranging a Soft Archery Leaders Award course so leaders can then deliver fun, safe and inclusive soft archery sessions to primary pupils in their local cluster areas schools. 

Thank you to Carina Sheldon from South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture (SLLC) Active Schools for arranging for me to come and deliver these sessions.