THE Hyde-based Goldcrest Archers hit the bullseye when they organised a day-long free taster session.
They were taken aback by the remarkable response and in the end had to close bookings.
More than 100 children visited their base at the Redfern Industrial Estate, Meadow Street, and for most it was the first time they had fired an arrow.
Chairman Peter Gregory, one of seven coaches supervising the hour-long sessions between 9am and 5pm, came up with the idea.
Peter, who has been in the sport 32 years, said: “I wanted to tempt kids from playing computer games in their bedrooms and do proper exercise which is good for them physically and also for their mental wellbeing.
“The response was overwhelming which is probably because it is the school holidays and free.”
Active Tameside helped promote the taster day which was also advertised on Facebook and it attracted families from throughout Greater Manchester including Bury, Trafford and Salford.
Coaches were impressed how archery was natural was for some of the beginners who impressed with their hand-eye co-ordination.
Such was the success that the club is considering holding another taster day.
Goldcrest Archers was formed 11 years ago and has always been Hyde-based, though only in its current premises 12 months.
It has 105 members including Glossop’s Hazel Taylor who was a member of Team GB at the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
The club offers courses for beginners, and anybody interested can contact Peter by email at mcclout@outlook.com
The email for contacting Goldcrest is actually mrclout@outlook.com
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