`ROBIN Hood', `Maid Marion', `men in tights' - Twin City Archers president, Peter Bennett has no doubt heard all the cliches before.
So have the 60 competitors at last weekend's Great Southern Traditional Archery Tournament at Twin City's Morwell range.
They shrug off the jibes because they are a good-natured lot and in it for a bit of fun rather than the prize.
The archers came from across Victoria, the Hunter Valley and southern Queensland for the traditional event, donned medieval costumes and fired at will at targets such as a giant castle.
``We had all ages of people in costumes. We had a guy here with a chainmail headpiece and proper metal helmet. That's going to be something we push more next year, the costumes,'' Bennett said.
``They didn't necessarily perform better in costume but it raised the level of what you enjoy in the sport, it's something different and fresh.
``We're the only ones I know that has a castle like that. The scores aren't high. We normally shoot at a longer range and a smaller target. The castle being a big thing, people lose their focus. It's still a lot of fun.''
It's a far cry from the usual archery tournaments where the emphasis is on a state or national title or points towards one.
Some archers even put away their fancy fibreglass bows in favour of a wooden stave up to two-and-a-half metres long.
``It's one piece of timber, the arrows have feathers tied on. A lot of them make all this stuff themselves. It's all traditional stuff, it's all wooden arrows,'' Bennett said.
In order to be named grand champion, archers had to accumulate the most points in a castle clout event, a target event called the `King's Round', a 3D target hunt in the bush and Twin City's indoor arena.
This year's winner was a fair maiden, Sam Crawford who secured back-to-back titles.
For the first time, the club was able to hold a junior championship, taken out by visiting archer, Ben Bruton who finished seventh in the overall competition.
Bennett said junior entries had increased from two last year to 15 this time around and most walked away with a certificate acknowledging their success on the day.
It augered well for the future of the sport, which Bennett, who is also Archery Victoria state president, said is making a concerted effort to push out into country areas.
``We're a sport where there's not a lot of injuries,'' Bennett said.
``I read somewhere that archery was listed as the second safest sport in the world. In the 18 years I've done the sport at the club, apart from a few whacks in the arm with a string, there's been no real injuries.
``Archery is a sport for life. It's something you can do any time of your life. One lady we shot with at the Masters Games started at age 72.
``I've done a few sports in my time that when you get to a certain level it can get a bit nasty. At archery I've been at most levels and you still get support from your peers. You can say, `I'm having a bit of trouble' and someone you could be competing against the following week will put down their bow and help you.''
Bennett believes clubs like Twin City Archers are doing their bit to promote the sport as being family-friendly and offering a challenge as well as a social aspect.
The club's facility in Toner's Lane is considered one of the best in Australia, according to Bennett.
``The comments we're getting from people are that they're just blown away. The guys are saying there's nowhere else in Australia like this. It's the atmosphere, it's the venue. When they come each year, they come to see what's changed.''
The facility boasts indoor, outdoor, field and clout ranges. The field range has come in handy for the Boola Valley Archers who were forced to move from their base at Tyers.
Bennett said his members at Twin City were more than happy to share their range.
He believes giving back something to the community is the key to a successful club and guarantees financial sustainability.
As well as a strong partnership with Latrobe City Council, Bennett said Twin City Archers has worked with the corporate sector to enhance the Toner's Lane range.
But he insists working with the corporate sector doesn't mean a club has to sell its soul.
``It used to be you could ask for sponsorship and funds, but because there are so many clubs asking for help, it's not just a matter of `getting', there's a lot of giving. A lot of clubs have found that hard. Money is limited, but demand is not,'' Bennett said.
``You've got to return something, not just to the business involved but to the community. Even raise money for charity, give something back.''
Bennett also paid tribute to the club's members which number 60. He's hoping to increase membership to 80 in the next financial year.
It is a big improvement on the 15 members who held the club together when Bennett joined 18 years ago.
``Members are the club's lifeline,'' he said. ``Without members the club's not there, it doesn't exist.
``The way they interact with each other, the way we socialise, the way we become a family, it's a big way a club succeeds.
``Our main requirement is for people to enjoy themselves. That's what the (traditional) weekend was all about.''
Twin City Archers will next meet for a Christmas get-together before it gears up to host the State Target Championships in February.
If you would like to learn more about the sport or get involved with the club, phone Peter Bennett on 0429429240.
Email a friend