WinIFAA Survey Results - July 2024
Introduction
This is a short report to summarise the recent survey sent out to female IFAA members late 2023 which has now concluded, the survey was designed to collect representation from as many countries as possible, to understand the needs and desires of members ,to promote the sport further afield and encourage females to feel empowered by developing skills, sharing information, provide education in areas of the sport that are either under represented or fill a gap in IFAA coaching / guidelines and information on specific female related topics.
Background
The Women in IFAA development plan has been gaining traction over the past few years, the Executive Vice President of Development engaged a deputy to develop the work further, several months of online meetings to share ideas amongst women from various countries led to a chairwoman in place to assist the VP-Development in driving this project forward with international assistance that has steadily shown further growth.
Developments to date
There has been a considerable amount of work completed that all is yet to be fully promoted, but copies of previous sessions run at world events are now available on the IFAA website including – Warm up and Warm down exercises, Nutrition for Archery, other inputs including coping with Anxiety in competitions, these have been presented at World Events with increasing attendance and support for each, there has been minimal expenditure to IFAA to support these events, much of which has been done on goodwill, the finances to support these events has mainly been for small purchases such as key rings, pens and note books.
Progressing from this, a guide has been developed for future World events but also for autonomy and empowerment for Regional Championships and “local” tournaments at a national level, attached is a link to the resources.
Women in IFAA – I.F.A.A. (ifaa-archery.org)
Naturally items such as the leaflets are not defined to females only, but it is a start to affordable informative giveaways following invites to female only sessions prior to competitions starting, this gives fantastic opportunity to network, ask questions, discuss concerns and gain valuable advice from archers, it also builds a community of support whilst out in the field during competitions.
Survey Analysis in summary
The survey sent out was non intricate in data forecasting but allowed enough scope to assess where our archers’ views are and give scope to explore further development to aid the programme hence applying questions to give qualitive data.
A total of 153 responses were received, not an ideal percentage versus membership across the nations, however this was dependant on users viewing the internet site promotion, Facebook viewing and country representatives pushing communications forward to their respective societies, ultimately interest as well. This may have been best served at an event but that is for future learning.
Also taken into consideration is an element of cultural response that there does not need to be a specific female only approach, however this is combatted with enough responses and topic requests to suggest this is a programme to invest in and promote within IFAA. There is a balance of responses amongst the categories that does not separate any element to suggest specific work is needed by IFAA including:
Bow styles.
Nations represented.
Participation in competitions from World to home nations.
How people were introduced to archery – this is very much a cultural element from hunting, family pastimes, and more European in responses in “have a go” events, school programmes and supporting children, with a small element of becoming bored of World Archery to venture to field, in the main 3D then into Field.
The other questions in the survey explored, what would female archers like to see developed in respect of coaching, advice, promotions, tutorials of which a list is below, from all the responses one element that stood out was that over 90% of responses stated they would attend female only invites to networking and presentations at main competition events. Topics requested to be covered in tutorials, advisory packs and at events. This list is the most common requests:
Bow Tuning – both BHR/BBR and FU and fitting D-loops.
Preparation for competitions, nutrition, fitness, and travel, and what to take on the range.
Competition process- a guide to administration, bow checks through to ceremonies.
Further fitness preparation, warm up techniques.
Distance Judging hints and tips.
Guide to score cards.
Shooting gradients.
Ladies who are large breasted and advice on breast guards / bras.
Ladies who have had surgical procedures affecting muscles around the chest area (such as mastectomy).
Target Panic and Mental Toughness.
Menopause and coping on the range.
Next Steps 2024 Short / Medium and Long Term
Following the review of the survey and considering on the whole a very positive response (with a few negative opinions) we now have to take on board the wishes of the females that have taken an interest, and show they have been heard, that IFAA is an inclusive organisation and is invested in the issues women in particular face, there is acceptance that this is not for all but in order to embrace more females into the sport, have confidence to travel and also have knowledge that there is support at their destination, also there are resources also available to prepare them for any trip but on the whole to enjoy themselves, feel equipped and empowered and have a voice for future developments and positions within committees
This report is submitted for consideration by the direct executive committee, to discuss and support the future development as proposed by the Chair of WinIFAA, for the actions and plan as below to agreed, it is of note that all the proposed actions are at no cost to IFAA , but a request to be considered is that of finances and a set yearly budget for the work to continue and open up more opportunities that will benefit all-
Finances to cover:
Gifts fitting with WinIFAA at World Events.
Online webinars and guest speakers covering bespoke topics requested.
Development of Level 3 female coaches (subject to any developing work with the coaching arena of IFAA) – there can be added to this a return on investment of those coaches supported.
Other work commissioned by the VP-Development pending engagement with TAFISA for example.
Work Plan to move forward.
Short Term – May – June 2024
A published response to the survey on the WinIFAA section of the IFAA website and social media – to be written by the Chair of WinIFAA and signed off by the IFAA Executive or a cover from the VP-Development – unless directed otherwise.
Agreement for the chairwoman to contact all those that have volunteered to assist with resources/ learning materials and inclusion of developing recorded sessions.
Invite the volunteers to have recorded interviews with the chair/ delegates about their subject matter, for publication and engagement – podcast style.
Mid Term July – November 2024
Develop recorded tutorials with subject matter experts within the volunteers.
Develop bookable online sessions where presentations can be given and recorded around specific topics as outlined. These recordings can be used at events if there are no volunteers available to resent in person. Note, all recordings, resources, and materials to be scrutinised prior to publication.
Long Term December 2024- March 2025
Review progress / lessons learnt / feedback.
Confirmation of budget and finance review.
Discuss the storage of materials i.e. on IFAA website, YouTube, Facebook or consider a separate Facebook channel specifically for this initiative.
Encourage promotion of the work and advertise via all social media channels with a cover for the Chair of WinIFAA and VP-Development of IFAA.
Develop a pledge that all IFAA Executives will sign up to that supports this work with WinIFAA resource publication.