Drawing a bow: Chris Middleton takes aim at Geelong Archery Club.
JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
THE days of playing with bows and arrows in the backyard are long gone but aficionados can still enjoy a Robin Hood experience in Geelong.
It just happens under much more controlled conditions at the 51-year-old Geelong Archery Club.
The club is the sport’s longest continually operating archery group in Geelong and one of the oldest in Victoria.
President Bill Vale said the club regularly attracted up to 60 men, women and juniors to its Deakin University-based range.
“It’s not a big participation sport compared to some but it suits all ages from nine upwards,” Bill said.
“You don’t have to be muscly or be the fittest to do archery. In fact, one lady started at the tender age of 70.
“The new bows we use are a compound bow, with a set of pulleys on the ends. They allow you to shoot heavier poundage and still remain accurate.
“Most of us do it for the fun and the exercise. It’s relaxing and social, almost like a round of golf.”
Bill said the club’s field course was in a bushland setting at Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus, while an indoor range was available at Geelong Showgrounds.
The field course required archers to shoot 24 targets from various distances ranging from 10 to 60 metres, he said.
An assortment of difficulties such as shooting uphill, downhill, across a slope or through trees added to the challenge.
“The key is to pick a spot and be accurate,” Bill advised.
“It’s like simulated hunting. It’s a different type of challenge.”
Bill said regular competitions at club, state and national level were available, along with beginners courses.
“We recently installed a separate four-target beginner’s range backing onto a cliff-side face, so missed arrows are easy to find,” he smiled.
“Some people are naturals and can be reasonably good within weeks, although it probably takes six months to find some proficiency at tournament level.”
Bill said the club boasted a number of junior champions at national and state level as well as senior champions and Masters Games gold medallists.
Club member John Womersley is an international judge with extensive experience at Olympics and world championship competition.
The club hosted Victorian state field titles recently and will host them again next September.
Bill said the local course was considered to be of high standard.
“It’s not uncommon for Olympic archers to be here honing their skills. Our course is one of best in Australia and equal best in Victoria.”
Bill said anyone interested in joining the club could phone him on 5243 7143 or visit geelongarchers.page.tl.
