G.N.A.S. Classification Scheme

The Grand National Archery Society in the U.K. runs a classification scheme, allowing tournament organisers to provide class prizes for archers of similar achievement levels.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd Class

To achieve 1st, 2nd or 3rd class, archers are required to shoot three scores over the designated score levels. The scores can be shot in competition, or on official club target days. The score levels for 1st, 2nd and 3rd class are:

Women Men
Olympic Compound Longbow Olympic Compound Longbow
Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita York Fita York Fita York
1st Class 817 723 1016 930 419 332 885 698 1046 889 509 308
2nd Class 602 508 817 723 266 192 716 511 911 728 375 194
3rd Class 364 280 539 447 187 124 481 283 656 450 284 127

	Women	Men
	Olympic	Compound	Longbow	Olympic	Compound	Longbow
	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	York	Fita	York	Fita	York
1st Class	817	723	1016	930	419	332	885	698	1046	889	509	308
2nd Class	602	508	817	723	266	192	716	511	911	728	375	194
3rd Class	364	280	539	447	187	124	481	283	656	450	284	127

Bowman

The Bowman classification was introduced in 1995 to reduce the gap between 1st Class and Master Bowman. Bowman classification requires three scores of the designated level in county level competition. Bowman is intended to include the top 15% of U.K. archers.

The scores required for Bowman are are:

Women Men
Olympic Compound Longbow Olympic Compound Longbow
Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita York Fita York Fita York
Bowman 1037 952 1169 1091 508 417 1065 913 1190 1065 596 390

	Women	Men
	Olympic	Compound	Longbow	Olympic	Compound	Longbow
	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	York	Fita	York	Fita	York
Bowman	1037	952	1169	1091	508	417	1065	913	1190	1065	596	390

Master Bowman

Master Bowman is intended to include about the top 4% of competitive archers (4% for men, 4.5% for women).

When I first achieved MB in 1991, the requirements were for three scores of 1153 Fita or more. I have maintained at least MB status every year since then except 1994, which I took most of the year off archery. The men's score requirements for MB were increased to three scores of 1178 or more in 1992, and then a year later to the current level of three scores of 1191 or more.

The scores required for MB are:

Women Men
Olympic Compound Longbow Olympic Compound Longbow
Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita York Fita York Fita York
MB 1169 1091 1272 1195 571 477 1191 1065 1278 1168 656 450

	Women	Men
	Olympic	Compound	Longbow	Olympic	Compound	Longbow
	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	York	Fita	York	Fita	York
MB	1169	1091	1272	1195	571	477	1191	1065	1278	1168	656	450

Grand Master Bowman

The Grand Master Bowman classification is intended to include about the top 1% of U.K. competitive archers (1% for men, 1.5% for women).

I first achieved GMB score levels in 1991, when the requirement was for three scores of 1223 Fita or more, but unfortunately one of my scores was at a non-record status event and so didn't count. The following year the requirement was increased to three scores of 1243 or above, and then a year later increased to the current men's level of three scores of 1259 or above, two of which must be in record status Fitas, and the other at a record status Fita or York. I finally achieved GMB in 1995.

The scores required for GMB are:

Women Men
Olympic Compound Longbow Olympic Compound Longbow
Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita Hereford Fita York Fita York Fita York
GMB 1242 1165 1314 1235 634 539 1259 1146 1326 1222 716 511

	Women	Men
	Olympic	Compound	Longbow	Olympic	Compound	Longbow
	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	Hereford	Fita	York	Fita	York	Fita	York
GMB	1242	1165	1314	1235	634	539	1259	1146	1326	1222	716	511

Last modified on 16th June 2008 by angus@harlequin.com