Outdoor classification badges
It's fairly simple to get an Archery Classification, all you need to do is score your arrows on a recognised ArcheryGB round. There are many rounds to choose from, starting from 30m up to 100yards (depending on your age and category), so there's always going to be one to suit your ability. The more you score the higher your classification goes. It's as simple as that.
If you want to know what you need to score to get one, just ask the records officer.
3rd CLASS ARCHER classification
'3rd Class' is the next stage. Even with a small jump in scores required to achieve it most people can get this classification within the first year of shooting, provided they do a reasonable amount of regular practice.
2nd CLASS ARCHER classification
'2nd Class' is an intermediate classification for archers who have a little experience and might be shooting up to 60m. It takes a little more consistency and concentration but isn't out of reach of most archers.
1st CLASS ARCHER classification
'1st Class' Classification is where it starts to get tricky. Most good club archers, with plenty of regular practice, will get to 1st class but it's not easy..
BOWMAN classification
'Bowman' Classification is one of the higher classifications and more difficult to achieve. Most County level and Welsh team members will definitely be at least Bowman. Bowman is the highest classification that can be achieved at club level.
The category was split into Bowman 3rd, 2nd and 1st class in 2023 meaning there are now even more badges to collect.
JUNIOR MASTER BOWMAN classification
'Junior Master Bowman' or 'JMB' is the highest classifications you can achieve in archery as a Junior archer under 18 years old. You can only get JMB at top level tournaments and follows the same criteria of the Senior award.
MASTER BOWMAN classification
'Master Bowman' or 'MB' is one of the two highest classifications you can achieve in archery. Most of the Welsh team will be MB. You can only get MB at top level tournaments and is approximately the top 4% of archers in the UK.
GRAND MASTER BOWMAN classification
'Grand Master Bowman' or 'GMB' is the most difficult and challenging of classifications to achieve. Only 1% of archers ever do it.
Similar to the MB classification it can only be applied for at top level record status tournaments.
indoor classification badges
Indoor classifications work very similar to the outdoor classification scheme - All you do is shoot and score a few recognised Archery GB rounds (Portsmouth, WA18m or Bray) - Then you get a badge
More Indoor Classification badges are available from the Welsh Archery Association and are free of charge for WAA affiliated members. You claim them in much the same way as the normal indoor badges - Just shoot and score. There are many levels so any level of expertise should be able to get one no problem.
They come in 6 colours - white / black / blue / red / gold and purple. Each one needing a progressively higher score to achieve.
