Tarn: the Compagnie des archers de Berniquaut opens up to new recruits

It is a license that is only offered as March approaches. But which, each year, allows archery clubs to swell their numbers with a few additional members. And Berniquaut’s Company of Archers is no exception to this rule.

The association based in Durfort, in the Tarn, launches this famous “Discovery License”set up by the French Archery Federation (FFTA), on the occasion of its open day. JOP which was held on Saturday 11 February. “We have this year recorded five registrations for our spring sessionconfirm Francois Cook, the company secretary. This will allow us to go from 34 to 39 members. »

Facilitate the discovery of the activity

But if the Lauragais archery club compels itself to offer this license every year, it is not so much to gain members. “We did not have a lot of additional registrations this time, admits its vice-president, Ludovic Bonnafous. But what is interesting is that this license facilitates the discovery of our sport. This is an opportunity for some to try, sometimes after stopping another activity during the year. »

And this, at low cost. “The license is actually less expensive, since it only starts on 1^is March,” he says. “In these cases, we do not provide the equipment, as we do at the start of the season, but we lend it”, adds François Cuisinier. Count 50 € membership. Both for young people and for adults. And there is still room! “Except for children under 12. We can only accept two additional registrations, ”warns the vice-president of the association.

A specific section for young people

This “Chicks” section, intended for 8-12 year olds, the Compagnie des archers de Berniquaut only opened it in November 2022. After several years without any recruits in this category. “A lot of people came to see us at the Association Forums and asked to enroll children. It was missing, so we started, “recounts Christine Cookmember of the club and elected to the board of directors.

Here, the emphasis is on the “promotion of archery over play”. “There are so many supports to discover in archery, enthuses Ludovic Bonnafous. I try to make them touch a bit of everything, while working on dexterity, reflection… We do things in this course that we don’t allow ourselves in the others. »

A way to interest the youngest, but especially their give the keys necessary for the practice of archery. “As they touch everything, they are then very comfortable when you put a bow sight in their hands,” smiles Christine Cuisinier.

Slots for everyone

But the Dourgnol club – which shines on the whole of the Lauragais Revel Sorézois intercommunity – is obviously not confined to this section dedicated to young people. Slots are reserved for both beginners (Monday) than at the most experienced archers, competitors such as those practicing in leisure only (Tuesdays and Thursdays).

It is a sport through which all generations find themselves. On the launch pad, you can have anything from a grandchild to a grandparent: everyone evolves in their category, but they work together. There is a real mix! The advantage, too, is that everyone can progress in their own way, at their own pace and according to their desires. Then, it is an activity in which everyone can find pleasure, according to their physical and financial means.

Currently, the club has 34 members – they will be 39 to 1^is March with the five registrations recorded at the open house -, including six competitors. The four young people who have been practicing since November will soon be joined by two new recruits.

Training of supervisors and referees, organization of competitions…

If the Compagnie des archers de Berniquaut gradually recovers from the period of Covid-19 – which has undermined certain associations -, the club hopes to be able to quickly train new supervisors.

But also and mostly, recruit a refereeindispensable for the organization of official competitions. “We already organize a disabled sport meeting every year, but it is not approved. Without a referee, we cannot host official competitions here, deplores the vice-president. I would like that to change. »

In the meantime, the association continues to organize, each year at the end of the season, his “King’s Shot”a little internal competition which brings together all the members. “The winner is designated as the king. But we also risk having a prince or a princess in 2023 because we plan to add a specific target for the youngest. »

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