The Irish Field Archery Federation (IFAF) was formed in 1992 and was set-up to promote the sport of Field Archery within the island of Ireland.

IFAF is affiliated to the International Field Archery Association (IFAA).The International Field Archery Association is an amateur sports association that was founded in 1970 and represents over 60,000 field archers in more than 45 member countries from worldwide.

Being a member of IFAF not only enables archers to enjoy the sport domestically but also to participate in their sport at an international level thus strengthening the ties within the ‘family of archers’ on a world wide basis.

WHAT IS FIELD ARCHERY?

Field archery involves shooting at targets of varying sizes at different distances usually outdoors and in woodland terrain. Field archery is a sport which can be enjoyed by all ages and members of IFAF range in ages from those under 10 to those over 70. It is popular with families because it is a hobby that the whole family can enjoy together.

Depending on the type of round being shot the targets used are either 3-dimensional foam/rubber animals or images of animals or circular targets. The number of targets on a course depends on the type of round being shot.

There is a strong, active archery community within IFAF with members, and their clubs, are spread around the country, in all four provinces. Most weekends a club will host a shoot and with archers travelling to the length and breadth of the country to compete.

In addition to a vibrant domestic shoot-circuit there is ample opportunity to travel abroad to compete at international tournaments. Recent achievements by members include:

• 6 medals (1 Gold, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze) from the IFAA European Bowhunter Championships, in Germany, where 38 members competed,
• 15 medals (6 Gold, 8 Silver and 3 Bronze) from the UK and Ireland Field Archery Championships, in Scotland, where 25 members competed,
• 1 medal (Gold) from the IFAA World Field Archery Championships in South Africa, where 1 member competed,
• 2 medals (1 Gold and 1 Bronze) from the IFAA European Field Archery Championships in the Netherlands, where 4 members competed and
• 2 medals (Gold, individual and Bronze, BHR Team) from the IFAA European Indoor Archery Championships in Northern Ireland, where 2 members competed.