Last year the outdoor and indoor target classification schemes were given a long-overdue update, and now it's field archery's turn.
From 1 January 2025, the field classification scheme will align with the target system, offering awards from Archer 3rd Class through Bowman, Master Bowman, and up to Elite Master Bowman. From January archers can pursue the revised classification award scheme and claim their badges in the new year at their club or using the Master Bowman claim form depending on the award.
The target classification schemes were updated in 2023 to become more inclusive with the 'Archer' tier allowing newer archers to participate from early in their archery journey. At the same time the Elite Master Bowman classification was introduced to stretch the very best in the sport. The new tables also aligned with the new junior age groups introduced by Archery GB and included the 50+ Masters category in line with World Archery.
The field classifications have been updated to once again match the target awards (Archer, Bowman, and Master Bowman tiers), and to include all of the new field age groups and pegs introduced in 2024.
The old scheme often had extremely high entry points, especially for juniors, with scores being condensed at the upper end of performance range. Some bowstyles were combined together, and there was no defined process for setting the scores. The new scheme is designed to be accessible by those who are relatively new to (field) archery and provide an upwards pathway for those looking to track their progress. It is hoped that it will increase engagement and participation in field archery from club up to competitive level.
The new scheme is fully described in the Shooting Administrative Procedures (SAP7) with scores provided in the associated tables for each bowstyle. A summary is provided in the below table, though archers, especially club records officers, are encouraged to read the SAPs for a full description.
Key points to highlight in the new scheme are:
Overall these changes have seen the field classifications expand from the previous scheme with 120 scores across 3 rounds and 20 categories to now have 4,212 scores across 8 rounds and 112 categories!
These updates have involved hundreds of volunteer hours and followed a peer-reviewed process with working groups and archers of all levels. Whilst a perfect match is impossible, steps have been taken using real-world data to ensure that scores are realistic, and comparable between different categories and to the target classification schemes.
Click here to learn more and view the classification tables
Tier |
Sub-tiers |
Rounds |
Type of Event |
Administered by |
Archer |
Archer 3rd Class Archer 2nd Class Archer 1st Class |
3 rounds as listed in classification tables |
Any event |
Clubs |
Bowman |
Bowman 3rd Class Bowman 2nd Class Bowman 1st Class |
3 rounds as listed in classification tables | Any competitive event | Clubs |
Master Bowman |
Master Bowman Grand Master Bowman Elite Master Bowman |
3 x 24-target rounds as listed in classification tables |
Any record status competition (Scores must be from three different record status events) |
Archery GB |
Complete tables and updates to the Shooting Administrative Procedures are now available on the Archery GB website with an overview also available at archerycalculator.co.uk/new-field.
Archery GB would like to thank volunteer Jack Atkinson for his work in revising the Field Classification scheme.