20 Nov 2025
Mull & Iona Archery Club: Two Years of Growth, Community, and Vision
Two years ago, Mull and Iona Archery Club began as a single archer (Paul Stronach Club Chairperson) with a passion for bringing the sport to the island. Today, the club stands proudly with more than 30 active members, a strong leadership team, and ambitious plans for the years ahead.
Building Structure and Strength
The club has continued to grow in both numbers and organisation. A full committee is now in place, including a Treasurer and Club Wellbeing and Protection Officer (CWPO). The CWPO role is also represented within local schools and sports clubs, ensuring consistent safeguarding and welfare support across the island’s sporting community.
This growing structure has allowed the Club Chairperson to dedicate more time to coaching and long-term development. A new member with a professional background in engineering and architecture is also supporting the committee and is expected to take on the role of Club Secretary in due course.
Developing Facilities
Work is now underway on an exciting proposal to redevelop part of the local rugby ground to create a dedicated, sheltered shooting line. The plan includes two steel storage containers that will serve both the archery and rugby clubs, improving facilities and making the space more usable throughout the year. The rugby club has been very supportive of the idea, and discussions are progressing positively.
Expanding Reach Across the Islands
Mull Archery Club has established target locations in numerous indoor halls across the island — as well as on nearby Iona — allowing members greater flexibility for practise and competition. Interest continues to grow across the smaller island communities, with experienced archers coming forward to support future field archery development. Plans are already in motion to create a field course that could host summer competitions, providing another exciting dimension to the club’s activities and attracting visitors to the islands.
Training and New Membership
November marks a particularly busy period for the club, with three Adult Beginner Courses scheduled over three weeks. These are expected to bring the club’s adult membership to approximately 50 archers.
Perhaps most significantly, the club will soon launch its first Junior Beginner Course, welcoming an initial eight young archers. This marks the official start of the Mull Archery Junior Section — a major step in ensuring the future sustainability and inclusiveness of the sport on the island.
Governance and Growth
The club’s Constitution has been formally adopted, setting a solid foundation for governance. Preparations are already underway for the first Annual General Meeting (AGM), planned for March 2026.
Community and social engagement have also become a key part of club life. The first Club Christmas Dinner is already fully booked with 25 members, and plans for 2026 include expanding this event to a local estate capable of accommodating up to 100 guests — a sign of how far the club has come in both spirit and scale.
Working in Partnership
Beyond archery, Mull and Iona Archery Club have been an active contributor to the wider sporting landscape on the island. Paul Stronach has helped to support and advise the formation of the Mull, Ulva and Iona Sports Association (MUISA) — a new umbrella organisation uniting all local sports clubs and activities. MUISA’s long-term vision includes preparing the island to potentially compete in the Island Games in 2029, an exciting prospect for the entire community.
The club has also taken part in fundraising efforts for a 24-seater community sports bus, which will provide essential transport for island teams to travel to the mainland and other Scottish islands for competitions. In addition, the club is helping to compile a register of all CWPOs based on Mull, ensuring consistent welfare and safeguarding support for coaches and schools island-wide.
Paul has gladly taken on a supporting role within Scottish Archery’s Communications sub-group. He is also on the committee for the West of Scotland Archery Association albeit in a limited capacity as he does live on an Island on the west coast after all
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on the club’s journey, Paul states - “I have recognized the incredible progress made in just two years — from one archer to a vibrant, multi-location club with growing junior participation, structured governance, and a long-term vision for facilities and community engagement”.
The next chapter promises even more exciting developments as Mull and Iona Archery Club continues to strengthen its role as a cornerstone of the island’s sporting life.
“Our focus has always been on inclusion, community and growth,” said the Club Chair. “What began as a single archer’s idea has become a shared vision — one that’s helping to bring people together, create opportunities, and ensure archery has a lasting place here on the island.”
