7/21/2024
When we protect our athletes, we protect Archery.
Grounded in the history of civilizations, archery relies on using the bow and arrow to hit the bullseye. This sport requires steadiness, focus, strong posture, and regulated breath to get the bullet into the target. Whether indoors or outdoors, and whether on a recurve, compound, or traditional bow, archery is a practice in accuracy. Harness your stamina, steady your aim, and cultivate that mental patience and a growth mindset to collect those match points. When we protect our archers, we keep this sport safe and healthy for all.
Courage First Athlete Helpline
Use this resource if you are in need of confidential emotional support, crisis intervention, informational athlete-focused resources, and guidance related to concerns about any type of abuse.
The Courage First Athlete Helpline is a no-cost call and text service for anyone in need. +1 888-279-1026
Common Archery Safeguarding Concerns
Abuse and misconduct can happen in all sports, at every level of play. Archery has some specific vulnerabilities, such as:
- Archery is a technical sport that requires specialized coaching. Coaches may have a high level of power over athletes, and many coaches with strong reputations may go unquestioned, allowing authoritarian coaching practices to become normalized.
- Close relationships can develop between athletes and coaches, and competitions can lead to increased one-on-one interactions. These relationships can develop while the athlete is still young because of early sport specialization, and boundaries can become blurred.
- Archery requires specific equipment, and if not properly maintained or used, the equipment could cause injury and harm to athletes.
What’s the difference between tough coaching & abuse?
The Coach Athlete Relationship Dynamics Diagrams below can be used as a gut check; consider the conduct you experience and observe in your sporting community, and discern whether what is occurring aligns with a caring and supportive coach-athlete relationship. For athletes who have unhealthy relationship dynamics with their coaches, inappropriate behavior can be subtle and difficult to discern. Awareness and prevention of these patterns of power and control help keep everyone safe.
Current Events
Unfortunately, news articles chronicling misconduct in sport and unhealthy coach-athlete dynamics are frequent and widespread. Abuse in sport has been occurring for decades, and the public is now becoming aware of these hidden situations as more and more survivors bravely disclose and report misconduct they have experienced. #WeRideTogether is committed to increasing awareness and continually updating this compiled list of current events on the topic of sexual abuse in sport. Sexual misconduct is happening across all sports, at all levels, internationally.
10/29/2026
NCAA takes aim at online abusers threatening student-athletes through newly established Bad Actor Program
10/29/2026
Former McKinney ISD athletic trainer sentenced to 5 years for sexually assaulting student, prosecutors say
10/28/2026
Coach sentenced to 26 years for sexual assault of 12-year-old
10/22/2026
Athletic director arrested on alleged child sexual abuse charges, officers say
10/19/2026
Officials to reinstate some Penn Wood High School teams amid investigation
10/18/2026
Youth Sports Families Allege Travel Company Threatened Their Kids' Playing Status If They Didn't Pay Lodging Fees
10/15/2026
Athletic trainer at San Jose school accused of sexual battery of student
Archery Resources
Below are resources related to Physical Safety and Mental Health within Archery.
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No resources under that filter for Archery yet.
Archery’s scariest taboo: The mystery of ‘target panic’
Mental Health
Gain an understanding of 'target panic' and how to overcome it.
Improve Your Game - How to Prevent Injury
Physical Safety
Gain an understanding of injury prevention in archery.
Survivor Stories
Survivors are increasingly stepping forward to bravely tell their stories. The following stories reflect the survivors’ personal experiences, as told by them, and may be triggering for individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or misconduct. All information has been anonymized.
If you are a survivor interested in sharing your story and learning more about this process, please reach out to us at info@weridetogether.today.
We want to hear from you!
You are not alone.
What resources or information do you want for your sport? Contact us and let us know.
If you or someone you know has experienced misconduct or abuse, please access these resources for help. For additional information on confidential helplines, sexual assault reporting procedures, and mental health resources, click the button below.
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