Grand National Archery Society
Encyclopedia
The Grand National Archery Society (abbreviated to GNAS) is the governing body for the sport of archery
in the United Kingdom
. Under this main body are 8 Regional Societies and then many different county societies. It is affiliated to FITA
, the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'Arc and is a member of the British Olympic Association
. The society's motto
is: "Union, Trueheart and Courtesie."
in the United Kingdom
, including target archery
and field archery
.
The society is currently responsible for over 1100 clubs and 30 000 registered members across the UK, all of whom may receive the magazine Archery UK
four times a year, included in their affiliation. It also organises its own national tournaments and is responsible for training coaches, as well as ensuring affiliated clubs are covered by their public liability insurance policy. These costs are partly covered by affiliation fees, which all club members pay, both to Country and Regional Associations and Archery GB itself.
in 1843 but the Grand National Archery Society (later Archery GB) itself was not founded until 1861, when it met at the Adelphi Hotel
in Liverpool
.
Many old archery traditions have been preserved by GNAS/Archery GB, with its three oldest member clubs being The Royal Toxophilites (founded in 1781) , The Woodmen of Arden (founded in 1785) and the Royal Company of Archers (founded in 1676).
With archery now firmly established in the Olympics, GNAS/Archery GB has seen many international successes and British archers have won a total of 4 medals since the restoration of the sport in the 1972 Olympic Games.
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Under this main body are 8 Regional Societies and then many different county societies. It is affiliated to FITA
International Archery Federation
The International Archery Federation is the governing body of the sport of archery. It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. It is composed of 140 national archery associations, and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.-History:FITA was founded on 4 September 1931 in Poland...
, the Fédération Internationale de Tir à l'Arc and is a member of the British Olympic Association
British Olympic Association
The British Olympic Association is the national Olympic committee for Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1905 in the House of Commons, and at that time consisted of seven national governing body members from the following sports: fencing, life-saving, cycling, skating, rowing,...
. The society's motto
Motto
A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments...
is:
Archery GB's Role
Archery GB (the trading name of the Grand National Archery Society) is the governing body for all forms of archeryArchery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, including target archery
Target archery
Modern competitive archery is governed by the World Archery Federation, abbreviated WA . Olympic rules are derived from WA rules. WA is the International Olympic Committee's recognized governing body for all of archery.Currently 142 nations are represented by WA archery governing bodies...
and field archery
Field archery
Field archery involves shooting at targets of varying distance, often in woodland and rough terrain.One goal of field archery is to improve the techniques and abilities required for bowhunting in a more realistic outdoor setting...
.
The society is currently responsible for over 1100 clubs and 30 000 registered members across the UK, all of whom may receive the magazine Archery UK
Archery UK
Archery UK is a magazine devoted to the sport of archery in the United Kingdom. As the official journal of the Grand National Archery Society, it is distributed to every GNAS member, 4 times a year, with the costs of this being taken from the archer's affiliation fee...
four times a year, included in their affiliation. It also organises its own national tournaments and is responsible for training coaches, as well as ensuring affiliated clubs are covered by their public liability insurance policy. These costs are partly covered by affiliation fees, which all club members pay, both to Country and Regional Associations and Archery GB itself.
The History of Archery GB
The first Grand National Archery Meeting was held on the Knavesmire at YorkYork
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
in 1843 but the Grand National Archery Society (later Archery GB) itself was not founded until 1861, when it met at the Adelphi Hotel
Britannia Adelphi Hotel
The Britannia Adelphi Hotel, formerly the Adelphi Hotel, is in Ranelagh Place, Liverpool, Merseyside, England. The present building is the third hotel on the site, and has been designated by English Heritage as Grade II listed building....
in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
.
Many old archery traditions have been preserved by GNAS/Archery GB, with its three oldest member clubs being The Royal Toxophilites (founded in 1781) , The Woodmen of Arden (founded in 1785) and the Royal Company of Archers (founded in 1676).
With archery now firmly established in the Olympics, GNAS/Archery GB has seen many international successes and British archers have won a total of 4 medals since the restoration of the sport in the 1972 Olympic Games.