Ratpack Field Archers, established on 30th November 1998, is an archery club located in Arundel, West Sussex. Cheryl Langridge, Dave Hubbard, Dave Mayhead, Jeff Cowling, and Andy Millard founded the club, which is affiliated with the National Field Archery Society (NFAS) as their governing body and insurers.
Occupying around 30 acres of woodland in Binstead near Arundel, Ratpack Field Archers offers a distinctive field archery experience. Although field archery originated in the USA for practising simulated hunting, in the UK, members shoot at pictures of animals, 3Ds, 2Ds, or homemade targets due to the prohibition of bowhunting. It's similar to navigating a golf course but within the woods, where archers move from one target to the next, shooting from various pegs.
All targets feature unmarked distances, presenting fresh challenges with each shot.
The club holds meetings on Saturdays and Sundays, yet the course remains open to members throughout the year, barring a few closure days listed on the diary page. Ratpack Field Archers welcomes archers of all styles but prohibits the use of broadhead arrows or blunts, and broken carbon arrows must be taken home by the archers.
Prospective members need to go through a step-by-step process. Firstly, they must apply for NFAS membership, which includes insurance coverage. Upon receiving their NFAS membership card, they must pay their fees to Ratpack Field Archers via BACs. The club's BACs details are available on their website.
If already affiliated with another club, applicants need to send a photo of their membership card to Ratpack Field Archers.
The club is managed by a dedicated committee: Ken as Chair (contact number: 07799331373), Andy as Secretary (contact number: 07543916493) and Treasurer (contact number: 07543916493), Nick as Club Coach (email: clubcoach@ratpackarchers.uk), and Sam as Beginners Administrator (email: beginners@ratpackarchers.uk).
For further information, individuals can visit the Ratpack Field Archers website or contact any committee member. The club aims to provide a welcoming environment for archers of all skill levels, allowing members to enjoy the sport amidst the beautiful natural surroundings of West Sussex.