Archery is a standard feature of almost every adventure education experience, with many students often claiming it was their favourite part of a day or residential. But why in particular has this age old sport become such a staple in the outdoor pursuits industry?
Archery through the Ages
Having been documented as being used by the ancient Egyptians at least 5,000 years ago, archery has featured prominently in historical weaponry around the world. From China and Japan, across the Middle East to Turkey and Greece, the bow and arrow had a formidable reputation. The English longbow, which became a force in the Middle Ages, was particularly ruthless. It was said that during the Battle of Crecy in 1346, 6,000 English archers launched 42,000 arrows per minute.
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A Weapon of Sport
The invention of firearms saw archery become obsolete from a military perspective, however around the 18th century it enjoyed a fashionable revival as an aristocratic past time. In 1844, the Grand National Archery Society held a meeting to turn archery into a modern sport. The following decade saw many of the rules introduced that we still use today. Included in the Olympics sporadically from 1900-1972, it is now a permanent fixture in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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What are the Benefits?
Archery has a string of physical health benefits such as improving upper body strength, balance and co-ordination. It also improves metal focus and teaches key life skills such as personal safety, resilience and patience as participants practice and refine their aim. Games introduce an important element of fun, with team challenged bringing together individual shooters into a cohesive unit. What’s also fantastic is that archery is a sport that is easily accessible to all, including those with mental and physical disabilities. There are a whole host of tactile devices that have been designed to ensure everyone can take part.
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