Experienced archer?

Join the archery club

We’re home to EASTAC

White Dragon Activity Centre hosts the Essex and Suffolk Traditional Archery Club (EASTAC).

EASTAC is a friendly, relaxed mixed-age club for traditional archers (longbow, flatbow, horsebow).

Check out the video and FAQs below.

How to join:

If you’re new to archery: Take one of our beginner archery courses (junior or adult).

If you’re an experienced archer: drop us a line and we’ll connect you with EASTAC.

Man with glasses in a white jumper aiming a tall longbow in a lawned area

Not your usual archery club.

EASTAC archery club gathers twice a week—Wednesday and Sunday evenings—to celebrate traditional archery and build our skills. Here’s what makes it special:

  • True to tradition – EASTAC specialises in longbows, flatbows and traditional shooting methods. We’re not cliquey, but modern styles like compound and take-down recurves aren’t allowed at the club simply because there are many others catering for them. This is all about heritage styles and instinctive skill.

  • Range variety – Four distinct settings to challenge your aim, all year round: a long-distance ‘York’ range and standard outdoor target field in stunning surroundings, cosy winter indoor range with a snug for warming up, and an 11-target woodland field course.

  • Warm and inclusive atmosphere – EASTAC isn’t about competition. We do a little of that, but mostly it's about relaxed learning and friendship. Members (aged 10 to 80!) come from Colchester, Sudbury, Ipswich, Chelmsford, Clacton and beyond.

    We welcome all, including neurodivergent archers. You can shoot seriously here, or just casually for fun.

  • More than shooting – Expect club shoots, monthly field shoots, social BBQs, fun events, seasonal competitions and a shared sense of belonging.

  • Arrow repair - Our in-house fletching team are available to repair any members’ arrows that break (where possible!). They can also make custom arrows, replace bowstrings, and advise on buying your own equipment.

Archery Club FAQs

  • Ages 10+ can join. We usually have about 40% juniors (kids and teens) and 60% adults.

    Our younger members tend to shoot earlier in the evening, around 6pm.

  • Wednesday and Sunday evenings, 6-8pm, at WDAC.

    Indoors in winter (Oct-Apr).

    Outdoors in summer (Apr-Sep).

    Contact us and check our Directions page before you come.

  • EASTAC is the only traditional club for many miles to boast use of four ranges: a long-distance York range, an outdoor target range with different distances set, an indoor winter range with snug and tea-making facilities, and a 11-target woodland field course.

  • White Dragon Ltd Club Membership Rates 2024/25

    Senior (18+): £190 per year (£17/month)

    Junior (10-18): £135 (£13/month)

    Joint Senior (living together): £160 (£14/month) each

    Joint Junior: £130 (£12/month) each

    Joint Senior+Junior: £130 (£12/month) each

    If applying for a Joint membership you will be asked for proof that you live together, but exceptions are made for parents living apart from children.

  • Yes! You can borrow club kit (longbows, arrows, quivers, armguards, gloves) from the club for a small extra charge of £3 per month. You may have to share bows on a busy night, but as members take turns to shoot this works out fine.

    If you’re on a beginner course, equipment is provided with no extra charge.

    There is also a small shop in the indoor range selling armguards, bracers and quivers - and our in-house fletching team can make you a custom set of arrows!

  • Fees cover facilities hire and utilities, maintenance, CPD for club coaches, and rolling purchases of new targets, as well as club-owned bows and arrows for beginners to borrow.

  • EASTAC used to be affiliated with Archery GB, but left as members felt the organisation was heavily focused on modern forms of archery and was not providing value for money.

    We have not re-affiliated with any organisation as members have not requested it and it keeps fees down.

    If you decide you would like to be a member of Archery GB, NFAS or another archery organisation you can do this individually and still be a member of our club. Club leaders will be happy to help and give advice on joining.

  • If you’re a new archer, you need to complete a beginner’s archery course first.

    If you’re experienced, you can come along to a club night to check it out and demonstrate your competence. Contact us to arrange a visit.

Smiling young woman in a White Dragon Activity Centre jacket, teaching a young child in a coat how to do archery