| Are Kids Really The Future Of Archery??
Everyone says that children are the future of any sport and that you should develop that potential. OK I know kids are the future of the human race but are they the future of archery? Is it worth devoting so much time and energy coaching them about form just to see them quit in a few months when the next hobby takes their fancy? How many juniors actually make it to adult archers what with school, uni, teenage romance and other pressures and attractions? It seems to me that archery clubs should be targeting the older market - people who have some disposable income and free time now their own kids are a bit older and have the maturity and insight to realise what archery can actually give to you. Perhaps just teaching kids to play safely at archery and have fun is sufficient (unless of course they want to develop their archery).
It was was making my own kids garden cane bows and arrows that rekindled my interest in archery - even 10 years ago I was too busy being a husband/dad/provider/businessman to piddle about playing Robin Hood in the woods.
When my kids come along to club nights they have a blast shooting the 3D bear in the backside but they switch off quickly if I start coaching them or counting scores so I seldom do. I'm hoping when they get older they'll remember the fun they had and pick up a bow again. If they stick with archery into adulthood I'd be delighted but I won't be disappointed if archery takes a back seat as they set off on their own life adventures.
Older people often take up golf for a social sport or all sorts of esoteric new age spiritual stuff as they search for answers about themselves. Archery. Guys in their 40s buy motorbikes, dads are buying guitars and starting bands - midlife crisis or seeking a new challenge? Archery. For the elderly instead of bowling they could easily pick up a bow. I can't wait until I'm retired so I can spend more time on the course - one of the best archers I know is a pensioner.
It's all about time. Kids already have so many demands on their time and archery is something that demands time. Retired people have lots of time in the time they have left. And the best thing is there is an endless supply of old timers.
I say clubs and the archery industry should be marketing themselves better to adults. Its too good for kids. |