[TimS]

A thought for you on the 'best improvers' side -we started a competition which is now in its third year (it can't actually happen in the first year!) and has proved popular and interesting for us. We very rarely shoot target but this should not make the formula unworkable for target disciplines.

We simply compare the average of each archers 10 best scores within the calendar year and measure the percentage improvement year on year - highest percentage improvement wins.

Your top archers tend to 'fall out of the top' because it becomes exceptionally difficult to improve at a constant high rate once a certain standard is reached, but everyone else in the pack has a good chance.

It also produces an incentive to support enough shoots, as you have to register 10 scores in two consecutive years to qualify.

Currently, out of 18 members, we have 9 already qualified (having shot 10shoots last year and 10 already this year), 2 who can qualify by completing their 10 shoots this year, 4 have already achieved positive improvements (obviously this improves as the year goes on) with 2 scores in the 40% range and 2.5% of each other leading.