Starting a archery club.

[Sagitarian]

G'day.

My local fellow archers and I have been thinking about starting our own range. Not to sure how to go about it though so any input would be apprciated.

Here is where we are up to...

We are thinking about a 3D hunting club type range as there isnt one within about an hours drive in any direction.
Warringa in the north and Illawarra in the south.

I am going to have a chat to council tomorrow to see if theres any info or help they can offer.

We have about 10 deffinate wouldbe members(M&F, recurve and compound) and about the same number of maybe's already interested.

Anyone been through the process befor?

Cheers.

[Sagitarian]

Spoke to the sports & rec officer, from the council today and she was quite helpful. Will be geting back to me with some info in the near future, hopefully.

Apparently they are one of the few councils who dont charge NFP org's rent.

Unfortunatly all of the local feilds are taken though, but she is having a look at some privately leased council land.

I dont think she had heard of 3D befor as she was focused on feilds rather than uncleared land. Will clarify next time.

[frommy]

Sagitarian,

What local government area are you looking at?

My dealings on behalf of my club over many years with LG's do not leave me with fond memories at all, as most are so anal-retentive about some little kiddie wearing an arrow when within 500m of any archery facility that they are sh*t scared of potential public liability insurance issues.

Also, when you list Warringah and Illawarra, you should reflect that Campbelltown Field Archers are just south of Camden on Razorback mountain, and are an ABA club.

My own club is a FITA club.

Brian

[Sagitarian]

Sagitarian,

What local government area are you looking at?

My dealings on behalf of my club over many years with LG's do not leave me with fond memories at all, as most are so anal-retentive about some little kiddie wearing an arrow when within 500m of any archery facility that they are sh*t scared of potential public liability insurance issues.

Also, when you list Warringah and Illawarra, you should reflect that Campbelltown Field Archers are just south of Camden on Razorback mountain, and are an ABA club.

My own club is a FITA club.

Brian

G'day Frommy,

Sutherland shire council.

True LG's can be a difficult organisation to deal with, have you ever heard the remark that an elephant is a mouse built to council specifications? :wink:

Its >AU$200,000 to buy a bit of land to use round here, and its not generally in as desirable area. So going through the LG process may be worth it.

Yeah saftey is a big issue, Im asking for it to be all fenced off with signage and cliff wall/bush backing. Also using other ranges as a comparative for saftey issues.

Can you offer any advice on what stratagies or practices were helpful?
Did you set up the club, any pointers?

Oh yeah Campbelltown/Camden archers, that is your club?
I think its even further away than the previous mentioned clubs being why I didnt mention it. How far would you make it from Sutherland area, 1.5hrs or so?

Cheers.

[Sagitarian]

Is the ABA and FITA club at Camden, in the same place?

[frommy]

No Sagi. Our club is at Uni Western Sydney, Campbelltown, and Campbelltown Field Archers are on Razorback Mountain between Camden and Picton.

We (I) had nearly 4 frustrating years dealing with Council over relocating our club from Landcom property, until eventually we were approached by UWS Sports. It was a dream come true and we have so far enjoyed 3 fabulous years there.

In 1996 our club hosted the ASNSW State Target championships but, to do so, we needed council parkland, and were faced with a very negative reaction when we approached them. I eventually suggested that Council officers meet me at our club for a demo. The whole works committee turned up, about 3 car loads of them. :(

I had set up a 122 cm face and had a couple of scopes set at 90 m. Took them all to the line, came to full draw, shaking with nervousness, then plonked a shaft ito the 'x' in the 10. The main detractors were manning the scopes and they were impressed. So was I as I don't think I have hit the 'x' since. :oops:

I also deliberately aimed a few shots off the target to demonstrate how far a miss would travel.

We got the go-ahead after that. :D

Good luck with your plans.

Brian

[Sagitarian]

Oh ok thanks. Dont get out that way much.

LOL saving the X's for when they count.

A demo sounds like a great idea, but we dont have an existing range to do it on. I guess we could ask the nearest field archers if we could do a demo there.

Still setting out a proposal, will let you know what they say.

Cheers.

[Sagitarian]

Looking good thus far.

Spoke to the branch controler for our areas division of the ABA.
He gave us a green light & was really helpful.

They are going to proof read my proposal and help us out with various other start up things. :D Sweet thanks ABA. :wink:

It did get me thinking why are there so many diffrent archery bodies in Australia, and what does belonging to one have over belonging to the next?

[Sagitarian]

Out of curiosity. is anyone here from around the southern sydney area that might like to help out &/or potentialy use the facilities?

What would you like to see and have there?

Somethings extra things we have thought of thus far in addition to the field and 3d ranges...

* A shaded/ undercover shoting line for the field, eg: awning.

*At least part of the field with lights so after dark shooting maybe done safely in that area, &/or small indoor range.

* club house, loo's

* measure, scoring, fletching and tuning services.

What else?

I dont know we will get all this stuff but you know if you aim for the X you might hit it.

Cheers.

[New Tricks]

Sagitarian, if you set up a club with that list of facilities, you will do extremely well. Many archery clubs usually do not have power or water when they first start up.