Help #SaveOurSport now!

Having watched the government announcement on Saturday night and reading the guidance which followed Archery GB were surprised and disappointed to find our sport listed as one of those which must stop during the next England-wide lockdown.

We fully support efforts to tackle the spread of Covid-19 but we believe plans to close outdoor archery ranges are wrong. The benefits of archery to mental and physical health are clear while the risk of transmission remains no higher than other forms of outdoor exercise such as walking or running.

We are asking you to help us lobby the government to make an exception for outdoor target ranges and field courses ahead of the vote on Wednesday.

For archers in England, we need you to download the letter below and send it to your local MP so they know what archery means to the wellbeing of thousands of people across England as well as the safety of our sport. You can find your local MP by searching using your postcode at: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP

For all archers across the UK, we would like you to sign this petition from UK Active demanding emergency support to help grassroots sports survive: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/553619

It's never been clearer how crucial sport is to mental and physical health; no more so than during a global pandemic when many of us are isolated from our friends and family. Sport is also essential for those recovering from Covid-19 and for our key workers who need sport as a break from the huge strain they are under.

Mental and physical wellbeing of archery:

• 44% of Archers said that not being able to do archery has had a negative effect on their mental wellbeing.
• 47% of Archers said that not being able to do Archery has had a negative effect on their physical well being.
• 96% of members felt safe at their clubs when they were able to re-open

Club Finances:

• 87% of clubs have reported a loss in income
• 13% of clubs aren't sure if they can survive financially until April 2021

Finally, we'd like you to share how important archery is on social media. Use our attached images below or tweet your local MP to ask them to #KeepOutdoorArcheryOpen.

In addition to lobbying, AGB will be providing a range of webinars and online support to help clubs and individuals throughout the winter but more importantly now to make the most of this time and keep fit and mentally strong ready for a return to the range.

And there is more to come with a variety of virtual and e-postal competitions to keep archers active and in place of the national indoors. These will be ready shortly for archers in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland who will be able to take part where local restrictions allow, and then we will be ready for archers in England to take part in these too from December.