Getting back to the club

As you’re all aware, at the end of March 2020 we were forced to temporarily close the club due to the outbreak of Coronavirus. With all the uncertainty, it was unclear at what point the club would be safe to reopen.

The committee have followed the ever-changing guidelines from the Government and our governing bodies and it is only now, 6 months later, that we feel that we can finally open the doors again and get members back on the shooting line – albeit with strict new measures to ensure everyone’s comfort and safety.

With that in mind, there are some big changes at the club that may affect your decision on whether or when you choose to come back. We appreciate there’s a lot of information to digest, but we ask you consider it thoroughly.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Alan or Chris who will help answer any queries you may have as best as possible.

Club Night

Firstly, a massive thank you to everyone who got in touch regarding the possible change to the club night.

This was very much a spur of the moment possibility that the DKAC offered us.

However, based on further discussions and the feedback from our members, we have decided to keep the club night as a Friday for the foreseeable.

Club Night Times

We’ll fully address this a little further on but for the foreseeable future the club night will be split into two sessions.

The first session will run from 7pm – 8:15pm and the second running from 8.30pm – 9.45pm.

If the numbers allow on the night, you will be able to attend both sessions.

As with most places, we are required to follow a very strict set of rules and guidance to allow us to open the shooting line again.

These measures are in place to keep everyone safe and prevent the spread of the virus.

You read the latest SAA Guidelines here.

• You must arrive ready to shoot
• No additional equipment other than the essentials should be brought into the hall (i.e. bow bags etc should be left in your vehicle)
• Hand sanitiser will be provided, and must be used on entering and exiting, and is available within the hall for use throughout the session
• The one way system in place must be followed at all times
• 2m social distancing must be maintained at all times, with the exception of on the shooting line as below
• Common sense should be applied on the shooting line, where social distance may be less
• Masks must be worn at all times, with the exception of when on the shooting line
• You will be allocated a target and target face, and you must stay on the target face for the entire session
• Social distancing must be maintained when collecting arrows, and adhered to when removing your own arrows from the target – do not collect arrows on behalf of others
• You must exit the hall no later than your session end time (8:15pm or 9:45pm)

We appreciate that our Club’s normal practice is to ask for fees for the year to be paid up front, and that this year that has meant most members have paid in full to only shoot for half a season.

Unfortunately both Archery GB and the Scottish Archery Association have confirmed that no refunds will be made. They have however indicated that this year, and likely next year, the fees will not increase. The committee are extremely disappointed that this is the decision but unfortunately have no say in the matter.

We can however control the Club membership fees. The committee have taken the decision that everyone who paid their membership in full last year, will receive a 50% reduction in this year’s fees.

As a result, this year’s fees (inclusive of all affiliation fees) will be:

• Junior (12 – 17): £48
• Senior (18 – 24): £78
• Senior (25 – 59): £128
• Over 60: £111

All 2019/20 memberships will expire on the 30th of September. This means that unless a renewal is actioned before then, memberships will lapse. Archery GB have allowed a little leeway to allow time for processing, but anyone wanting to shoot will be required to have an active membership before being allowed to shoot again.

We intend to have our first night indoors on the 9th October.

Unfortunately due to the extensive processes involved, if you do not wish to re-join now you will have to wait until March next year. We do not have the resource nor capacity to file for memberships on an ad-hoc basis. You may also wish to note that the affiliation fees are not pro-rata and will not change again until March. This means your membership for this year will cost the same in February as it would now.

Online payments

To both streamline things and reduce cash handling, we have undertaken some website changes to digitalise paying for your membership.

You should have received an email from our system asking you to set up a password. If you have not received this email, please let us know and we will arrange for instructions and a password to be re-issued. Once your account is set up, you can log in to our new Members Area, where you will be able to pay your membership, book a club night slot, view AGM notes and, in the longer term, be able to place clothing orders too.

To confirm your username will be either your email address or your First name a dot (.) and your Second name. (no spaces and capital letters at the start of each name)

Helpful Links:

This will be the biggest change made to facilitate a safe return. Under the new guidelines, including those for Trace and Protect, we are now required to have a booking system in place. We appreciate that this is inconvenient but it is essential we follow the measures stipulated to be able to get the club up and running again whilst protecting each another.

We have made the booking process as quick and simple as possible. Once you are logged in, under the Members Area you will be able to ‘Book a Club Night’. This will display a calendar which shows you the availability for each session. Pick your date and preferred time slot, add them to your ‘basket’ and simply checkout to confirm your booking.

We are confident this new system will work well for us, but we would ask all members to be patient and understanding if there are any minor teething problems .

Bookings will be available two weeks in advance and we would ask that you only book one session per night, to promote fair access for all. Current guidelines allow for maximum of 15 people per session (max 30 people per night).

If the later session is empty and you would like to stay on you will be allowed to do so. This can only be confirmed on the night and will operate on a first come first serve basis.