Eastbourne Archers Junior Club

Eastbourne Archery Clubs' philosophy is to actively promote its sport and feels that its future lies with its juniors. To this end we endeavour to encourage and develop all our young archers. We are basically a target archery club - although we also do some field shooting at Five Ashes during the year.

Our main shooting day is Sundays throughout the year. This tends to be supported by the serious adult archers, but we would like to encourage support from more of our juniors. Tuesday evenings are reserved for juniors only shoots. Wednesdays and Saturdays are also target days during the summer months, but as with practice shoots (which can be done at almost any other time) - juniors require the presence of a senior club member at all times!

Equipment:- At the end of beginners courses everybody is measured and provided with details as to their individual requirements. The purchase of equipment can be expensive and a basic beginners set-up starts from £100 upwards! We do not recommend the initial purchasing of expensive equipment. Young people grow very fast as all parents know !....... and interest may wane. We would suggest therefore, do not purchase anything without seeking advice! To support our juniors we try to loan beginners equipment for them to use for shoots, both target and practice, on the club field.

Achievement Awards and Badges:- Eastbourne Archery Club runs a number of schemes to recognise individual progress and achievement. Throughout the club the G.N.A.S. classification and Handicap scheme operates. There are also many opportunities to participate in competitions and tournaments both within and outside of the club.

Facilities:- Our club facilities consist of an archery field for our sole use, our main equipment shed and a small club house. We are fortunate to be able to access Eastbourne Borough Football ground toilets. We have no telephone but of course we have access to Langney Sports Club facilities.

Juniors attending club shoots:- As a guide, shoots start on time - but it is not always easy to predict their duration. Therefore we rely on good communication such that any young person left in the care of senior members for a shoot are both clear as to the arrangements for their collection. Any questions contact the Junior Club Leader, Paul Bridge.

Girls for Gold

In June 2008 the UK Talent Team began a search for highly competitive sportswomen with the potential to become Olympic champions in cycling and other targeted Olympic sports (bob skeleton, canoeing, modern pentathlon, rowing and sailing). Girls4Gold is the single most extensive female sporting talent recruitment drive ever undertaken in Great Britain.

To apply for Girls4Gold applicants had to be female, aged between 17 and 25 years old, competing in any sport at county/regional level, fit, powerful and strong, mentally tough and competitive and up for a once in a lifetime opportunity to become part of Britain’s sporting elite.

The ultimate aim of Girls4Gold is to unearth exceptional female talent capable of achieving medal success in London in 2012 and beyond.

Although the deadline for the 2012 Olympics has now come and gone, Girls for Gold is continuing to look for talented young women, possibly to compete in the 2016 Olympics.

Eastbourne Archers are extremely proud of one junior members who was invited to attend the 2011 Girls for Gold conference, Stevie Meffen. Below is her account of the day: