When you first join an archery club, shooting 3 dozen arrows at 20 yards and hitting the middle feels like it's all there needs to be. Archery has so much more to offer and we want you to discover it.
Whether you are highly competitive or just shoot for fun, improvement and satisfaction in your archery is unlikely to happen just by chance. Getting regular coaching helps you develop your technique and avoid developing bad habits that may hinder you later on. Like most things, it's practice that makes perfect, and lots of it. Practising on your own shooting the same round repeatedly may help you to cement what you have learned in controlled conditions, but what you really ought to do is learn to shoot your best archery, whatever the format, whatever the occasion.
At Sway Bowmen we encourage you to join in with our club tournaments, leagues and challenges. These are designed to help you get used to shooting alongside other people, shooting a variety of recognised rounds, pushing out to different distances and learning to shoot according to the 'rules of shooting' that govern our sport.
However grown up you think you are, most of us like a reward for our efforts. At Sway Bowmen we love a badge. You can earn some personal awards that are recognised throughout the whole Archery community (find out more in the all about scores section of the website). We also have some trophies and awards that are specific to our club. You can earn these by participating in our tournaments, summer challenges and winter league. More information can be found below.
Tournaments
Our tournaments run every year and are an opportunity to earn prizes, medals and trophies. Some of our tournaments are purely for fun, but we still take them seriously. Some of our tournaments are designed to test your archery ability, but we still have fun.
Tournament Calendar 2025 (provisional until local away shoots are confirmed early 2025)
Summer Challenges
In 2023 we introduced the idea of a Summer Challenge. A short series of rounds with a reward at the end. Shooting at your own pace across the outdoor season, either in pairs or larger groups. There are now three challenges available and each can be completed at Bronze, Silver or Gold level. That's nine to choose from and if you can't decide, well why not do them all. (Visitors to our site are welcome to download and use the challenges, please note, challenge rewards are only available to members of Sway Bowmen.)
Summer Challenges - Introduction and information sheet
The Imperial Sprint (New for 2025)
The Aussie Adventure (New for 2025)
The Aussie Adventure (Round details - reverse side of the card)
Winter League
In the winter we offer indoor shooting once a week (Tuesday evening) at Brockenhurst College. Open to all members. To add a little spiciness we run an indoor league with Divisional Shields being awarded at our club AGM in March.
Indoor Shooting and Winter League 2024 (Explanatory Notes)
Winter League 2024-25 (Shooting Schedule)
Indoor League Standings 4/11/2024
If you need any further information please contact your Tournament Organisers (Jem Mason and Hannah Diffey)