Competition?

[robbo]

along with all that has been previuosly said, you don't actually have to beat someone to get a classification so there's not much competing there. You don't gain MB/GMB by beating people at competitions, you get it from your scores. So book yourself into 3 FITA's, turn up shoot your round and go home, wether you have beaten someone or not is totally irrelevant.

[FlightyRachel]

Hi Rob I usually find myself nodding away at your posts, but we differ here.
I think archery is amazingly uncompetitive in many ways. At two of the clubs where I shoot, some people are quite happy to turn up every week, bang a few arrows in a target face, and leave again. Some don't even shoot rounds, and i don't think they feel under any pressure to take it all more 'seriously'.

Then there are the ones at Mayflower who go for the club awards, certain scores at certain distances, but there isn't really a competitive element to this, it's not a race, just a way of measuring your own improvement.

I go to competitons, but I know I won't win. That's not being defeatist, just realistic! But, I find the whole atmosphere quite exciting, I get to meet new people, and it beats doing the ironing. I put my scores in the my records officer, keep an eye on my handicap, and I was really happy to make second class!

The really 'serious' archers I rarely see at the club, they are travelling all over the country competing at all the right shoots, and good luck to them!

I think it's great that there is room for all these types in one sport, and even in one club.

[ThePinkOne]

I'm very competitive- but against only one person- me.

I shoot to improve what I do and the classification system is a feedback on how I'm doing. To do so at tournaments is important to me as I feel it is a more representative test.... weather aside, the parameters are pretty consistent that way so it's a fairer measure. Like, one club I know their 80yds is closer to 75 or even 70 some days (depending who lays out the field) but if I go to a big record status shoot I know that 80 IS 80...

But it's horses for courses. For some the social side is the main thing, for others it's the archery. Whatever floats your boat.

P.

[Raedwald]

Originally Posted by Adam

Because, like-it-or-not, those are the rules. If you want the reward, you have to put in the mileage. If you don't like it, find another sport.

Adam

Or shoot Field under NFAS/EFAA. (There ARE other archery governing bodies, you know..........)

Yes, there are "classifications" within EFAA, if you really want to shoot them. But you don't have to, there's no pressure to.

Within the NFAS - you shoot. That's it.

The only person you are competing against is yourself. No-one else. That's how it should be.

[tel]

Originally Posted by Raedwald

Or shoot Field under NFAS/EFAA. (There ARE other archery governing bodies, you know..........)

Yes, there are "classifications" within EFAA, if you really want to shoot them. But you don't have to, there's no pressure to.

Within the NFAS - you shoot. That's it.

The only person you are competing against is yourself. No-one else. That's how it should be.

and the difference is? there are GNAS classifications - you don't have to "shoot them".

[Raedwald]

That wasn't the point Tel.

The point was there IS more to archery than GNAS.

[tel]

Originally Posted by Raedwald

That wasn't the point Tel.

The point was there IS more to archery than GNAS.

The point IS we can all take from archery what we wish - doesn't matter under which umbrella. It can be all things to all archers. You want to shoot in the garden alone? Fine...want to shoot at the club? Fine too!...Want to train for the next Olympic games? Guess what? At the end of the day its up to each individual to decide what they want from it.

[Raedwald]

Originally Posted by tel

The point IS we can all take from archery what we wish - doesn't matter under which umbrella. It can be all things to all archers. You want to shoot in the garden alone? Fine...want to shoot at the club? Fine too!...Want to train for the next Olympic games? Guess what? At the end of the day its up to each individual to decide what they want from it.

Exactly!

It's not "do it our way or don't do it" - which is the point I was trying to get across!

[tel]

Originally Posted by Raedwald

Exactly!

It's not "do it our way or don't do it" - which is the point I was trying to get across!

In which case we're all swinging from the same branch - sweet!

[Florence]

Well, here's my tuppence worth on this ....

I took up archery again because I wanted something to do, that I could plug away at in my own time and just enjoy it. I had NO INTENTION of competing at all - far too scary !

I was eased into the competition scene very gently and quietly by my best friend who suggested one day that I might like to go with him, just to watch and see what happens. I went and found it fascinating. Then got taken along to a few more (just as an observer and bag carrier), and continued to enjoy myself.

Then my best friend suggested having a go at a "fun" shoot, and after some gently cajooling and a hefty shove from behind, I agreed to have a go. Loved it. Did a few more on a not too regular basis, and now I'M HOOKED !!! As many comps as possible please !!

BUT - I go to compete against myself - that's my challenge. I know I'm not going to beat everyone else, so I'm happy with beating myself if I can manage it, and if I can't, I'm happy with just having had a good fun day out !

HOWEVER ... I don't think people should ever be made to feel that they have to compete. If someone just wants to shoot at their club and enjoy the evening doing something they like doing, then let them! Please don't make them think they are letting the side down if they don't want to go whole hog into the comp scene. Not everyone would get a kick out of that, so just let them enjoy their archery how they want to.

There can be too much emphasis placed on competition, and pushing people into it when they don't want to will just lose people from the sport who may have decided to take the plunge at a later date when THEY felt comfortable, not just cos the other people in the club think they SHOULD by doing it !