Introduction To The English Field Archery Association
(Affiliated to the International Field Archery Association)

Thank you for your interest in the English Field Archery Association, we hope you find the information below informative and that you consider joining us. All EFAA events promote a friendly relaxed atmosphere, including National Competitions. All committee members are volunteers, very active within the Association and are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact details can be found on the EFAA website efaafieldarcher.com , alternatively, in the first instance, contact the General Secretary, Dave Moore on secretary@efaafieldarcher.com

Where is my nearest EFAA Club?

At present there are 29 member clubs located in various parts of the country, four of which have a 28-target course, 8 have a 14-target course while the remainder do not have a course. Most, if not all the clubs with a course also have a practice area. To find out more about any club, visit the EFAA website efaafieldarcher.com, Club Directory. In the Club Directory, tap on a club badge and all relevant information for individual clubs will be displayed.

Unlike other organisations i.e. Archery GB, most EFAA clubs do not have set club days. Many do however, have their own private Facebook pages or alternative ways of connecting with their members to facilitate members shooting together.

What rounds are shot?

Most rounds shot under EFAA Rules are marked (known distances) using black and white roundel targets with a few rounds using ‘animal’ targets. Distances shot range from 20ft to 80 yards for adults, 20ft to 50 yards for juniors and 20ft to 30 yards for cubs. There are several official rounds, details of which can be found on the EFAA website (About Us Tab, Policies, Shooting Rules Book}. However, the main 28 target rounds used for classification shoots (more on this later} are the Field and Hunter Rounds along with the Combination Round which, as the name suggests is a combination of the Field and Hunter Rounds, 14 targets of each.

What are the various shoots?

Firstly, club shoots which are organised by individual clubs, they might not be a recognised EFAA round but will always comply with EFAA rules. Typically, they are for club members only but some might be ‘open’ to other EFAA members.

Secondly, classification shoots. It is important to note that a classification shoot is not a competition, there are no medals / awards etc presented on completion of a shoot. They are an EFAA sanctioned shoot hosted by member clubs, usually monthly that provide members with the opportunity for archers to shoot with friends, make new friends, attempt to achieve personal score improvements, improve your classification level or claim a record score. Other incentives such as spot badges or Robin Hood patches can also be claimed from a classification shoot. There is generally no requirement to pre-book/enter although a few clubs might request that you let them know if you intend to shoot. Just turn up at the venue in good time to register your arrival and provide the shoot organisers sufficient time to arrange archers into shooting groups for the day. You might also wish to allow enough time for you to shoot a few practice arrows before the shoot commences, however, you will be expected to register your arrival prior to using the practice butts. NOTE:- YOU MUST ALWAYS PRESENT YOUR EFAA MEMBERSHIP CARD TO THE SHOOT ORGANISERS WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE REGISTRATION POINT. This applies to all archers, at every classification shoot, not just to those who might be at their first classification shoot.
This leads us on to the next obvious question, what is a classification level. For the Field, Hunter and Combination Rounds there are classification qualifying scores for each bow style. When you shoot at your first classification shoot, you will be classed as unclassified. As you progress and your scores, hopefully improve, you will work your way from unclassified through to C, B and finally A class. Your scores and classification level will be recorded on your membership card. There are additional incentives beyond achieving A class, you will also be able to claim FM (Field Master}, GFM {Grand Field Master}, and SFM {Supreme Field Master} awards. Again, there are more details on our website in the Shooting Rules Book.

Clubs that run classification shoots generally hold their shoots on the same weekend of every month to avoid ‘clashes’ with other member clubs.
Results of classification shoots are never produced, only the archer will see what score has been achieved and this will be recorded on their membership card when it is returned to them on completion of the shoot.

Any member is welcome to attend, irrespective of ability and may opt to shoot from cub or junior pegs if they prefer, as an introduction to shooting a round. Clubs would not have a problem with this but, the round would not count towards an archer’s classification.

Thirdly, National Tournaments. There are five EFAA National Tournaments held each year, held over two days, usually Saturday and Sunday except for the National Indoor Championships which is a single day event. The National Indoor Championships is usually held on a Sunday in February, the Spring Team and Open Championships is held on the first Bank Holiday weekend in May, the National Bowhunter Championships, usually held during June, the National Championships usually held in September and the National 3D Championships, usually held in October. The National Bowhunter Championships is the only EFAA National Tournament with unmarked distances on both days. In addition, the United Kingdom and Island of Ireland Championships, UKIFAC, is held every year, usually in July. This is hosted by one of the home nations (including the Republic of Ireland} on a rotation basis. All members can enter these tournaments, whatever level they shoot at. Pre entry will be required, online entry will be available on the EFAA website. Trophies / medals including Classification awards will be made as appropriate according to entry levels.

Finally, international competitions run by our governing body the International Field Archery Association (IFAA). These are all advertised on the IFAA website and are open to any EFAA member regardless of ability or class in which they shoot, you do not have to qualify to enter. It is recommended that the archer should get some practice and understanding of the rounds that will be shot, but other than pre-booking via the competition website, the only other requirement is to have 2 shoots listed on your membership card in a similar round, i.e. If you were to shoot the European Indoor Championships, you would need to attend an indoor shoot gaining two scores on your membership card, similar is true of an outdoor championship.

Are there any other membership benefits? In addition to the pleasure of shooting with like-minded folk, new members will be issued with a membership card each year, a copy of the EFAA Shooting Rules Book and will be covered by our Public Liability Insurance Policy. Our Insurance Policy also includes cover for members shooting outside of the UK at an IFAA sanctioned event.

We operate a program of Instructors Courses aligned with IFAA coaching protocol. Any member can undertake the Instructors Course. However, they must have been an EFAA member for at least two years and be an active archer, attending classification shoots.

Development days, open to all members are arranged each year.