AFTER 10 months of rigorous study, involving written and practical work, mentored coaching, three residential training weekends and a final three hour assessment, Simon Miskin, head coach at Caerau Dragon Bowmen Target Archery Club in Barry, gained his Level 2 License and Coaching Award from Archery GB, the national governing body for Target Archery.

“All the hard work was worth it, not just the practical coaching of other archers, but researching the technical theory of shooting and learning about how muscle groups work together as well,” said Simon.

The course covered archer profiling, anatomy, nutrition, physical and mental training in preparation for competition as well as equipment selection and maintenance.

“We also completed a disability awareness practical session in which we attempted to experience shooting with a range of impairments,” explained Simon.

“Shooting with blacked out or partially misted goggles, shooting using only one arm and drawing the bow string using neck muscles and teeth, and shooting from a seated position in a wheelchair, all gave insight and understanding into some of the problems encountered by disabled archers and how coaching plans can be adapted to be inclusive.”

The course was immense fun as well and as the 10 candidates were from a wide geographical area, they were able to swap ideas and share best practice. This achievement will now allow Simon to focus on intermediate archers in preparation for competition and further develop the potential of the junior club members.

Simon, who has been shooting for 12 years, is an active voluntary member of Caerau Dragon Bowmen and has been running indoor and outdoor beginners sessions for novices throughout the year as well as fitting in his course preparation.

The Caerau Dragon’s is a target archery club based at St Richard Gwyn RC High School in Barry. New archers are always welcome and archers from other clubs can shoot on production of their AGB membership card.

The club also offers coaching and development clinics for intermediate archers, the next of these is on Sunday, November 27, contact Denise Davies on 029 2048 4509 (evenings) for full details - booking essential.

“As archery is a popular sport, particularly since the Olympics, our novice courses are fully booked” said Simon.

“However new courses will be available in 2017 and dates will be announced on our website careaudragonbowmen.wales.

“I would like to extend my thanks to all club members for their support during the past year, especially to Denise Davies for her mentoring sessions throughout the course and to Tony who agreed to be coached by myself for the past 10 months and accompanied me to the final assessment session in Bristol, Tony’s technique has improved greatly, along with his scores.”

The club is also grateful for contributions towards funding the course from the Vale of Glamorgan’s Community Chest Scheme, the Sports Council for Wales and the Cardiff and Vale Scouts.