Who are Goldcrest Archers?
Goldcrest Archers is a community Archery club based in Hyde, Tameside who are committed to providing inclusive, accessible opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to experience and enjoy archery. Through its engagement with the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network, the club has strengthened its capacity, developed new partnerships, increased participation, and expanded its community impact.
By working collaboratively with local organisations and accessing targeted support, Goldcrest Archers has transformed from a traditional community club into a growing organisation that delivers opportunities for young people, adults with additional needs, and the wider community.
Investing in young people
One of the key successes has been securing a £2,000 grant through the Action Together ‘Use Your Energy’ Fund, with support from the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network.
The funding enabled the club to launch a 10-week “Have a Go” Archery programme aimed at young people aged 7–16 years. The course introduced 20 participants to the fundamentals of archery in a safe, structured and enjoyable environment.
The programme not only developed participants’ confidence, coordination and physical activity levels, but also created a clear pathway into sustained participation. Following completion of the course, the young people progressed into full club membership, providing long-term benefits for both the participants and the sustainability of the club.
This successful programme demonstrates how relatively small investments, combined with the right support and community partnerships, can create lasting participation opportunities for young people.
Creating inclusive opportunities
Goldcrest Archers has also made inclusion a central part of its development by working in partnership with Active Tameside’s Everybody Can service. Together they now deliver regular SEND archery sessions for 16 adults, providing a welcoming and supportive environment where participants can develop new skills, improve confidence, increase physical activity and enjoy social interaction.
Archery is uniquely suited to inclusive participation because it can be adapted to meet a wide range of physical and learning needs, allowing everyone to participate at their own pace. The sessions have become an important part of the club’s weekly programme and demonstrate the club’s commitment to making sport accessible for all members of the community.
Building strong community partnerships in Tameside
The support available through the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network has also helped Goldcrest Archers establish valuable local partnerships.
A significant development has been the club’s collaboration with Dukinfield Town & Youth FC, providing access to outdoor pitches during the summer months. This has enabled Goldcrest Archers to establish an outdoor archery range, significantly increasing capacity and allowing members to experience outdoor shooting during the warmer seasons.
This partnership has maximised the use of local community facilities while strengthening relationships between local sports clubs, creating greater opportunities for residents to be active.
Raising the club’s profile
Community engagement has become a major focus for Goldcrest Archers. The club regularly attends local open days and community events to introduce archery to new audiences and encourage participation.
Most recently, the club delivered archery activities at the Active Copley Festival of Sport, engaging with over 100 participants throughout the event. These sessions provided many local families with their first opportunity to try archery in a fun, safe and welcoming environment.
These outreach opportunities have increased awareness of the club, generated interest from potential new members and strengthened Goldcrest Archers’ reputation as an active community organisation.
Developing Volunteers and Future Sustainability
Alongside growing participation, Goldcrest Archers has invested in developing its volunteer workforce.
The club has successfully recruited new volunteers who have progressed to become qualified archery coaches. This investment has increased the club’s coaching capacity and strengthened its ability to deliver outreach sessions, community events and club activities.
Having more qualified coaches ensures that the club can continue to meet growing demand while maintaining high-quality coaching standards and providing a positive experience for participants of all ages and abilities.
Volunteer development has also improved the club’s long-term sustainability by creating a stronger workforce capable of supporting future growth.
Impact from the support
Through the support of the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network, Goldcrest Archers has achieved significant outcomes:
- Secured £2,000 of external funding to expand participation.
- Delivered a successful 10-week youth archery programme engaging 20 young people, all progressing to club membership.
- Established inclusive SEND archery sessions supporting 16 adults through partnership working.
- Created a new partnership with Dukinfield Town & Youth FC, providing access to outdoor facilities during the summer.
- Introduced over 100 local residents to archery through community events, including the Active Copley Festival of Sport.
- Recruited and developed new volunteers into qualified coaches, strengthening the club’s long-term capacity and sustainability.
Looking ahead
Goldcrest Archers continues to build on these achievements by creating more opportunities for people to become active through archery. With stronger partnerships, an expanded volunteer workforce, improved facilities and a growing membership, the club is well positioned to continue increasing participation across Tameside.
What the club say
“Being part of the Active Tameside Sport & Physical Activity Network has played a vital role in the growth and development of Goldcrest Archers. The support, guidance and partnership opportunities we have received have enabled us to secure funding, expand our membership, create inclusive opportunities for adults with additional needs, and engage more young people in archery. Through strong community partnerships and investment in our volunteers, we have increased our capacity and strengthened the long-term sustainability of the club. Most importantly, we are helping more people across Tameside discover and enjoy archery in a welcoming, accessible and supportive environment. We look forward to continuing this journey and creating even more opportunities for residents to get active through our sport” – Peter, Chairman of Goldcrest Archers
