TIFAM & TAI Club Affiliation FAQ

General Affiliation

• Is TIFAM the governing body for TAI in Ireland?Yes, TIFAM is registered as the National Governing Body for TAI in Ireland.
• Can a club affiliated with TIFAM remain affiliated with other governing bodies (e.g., IFAF, AI, SIFA)?Yes, there is no issue with clubs maintaining their affiliations with other governing bodies.
• Does club affiliation grant our club voting rights or representation at the TIFAM AGM?Yes. Affiliated clubs in good standing are entitled to representation and voting rights at the annual General Meeting (AGM), ensuring your club has a voice in shaping the future of the organisation. Additionally, at the AGM, we will vote for our two representatives who will represent Ireland at the TAI General Assemblies.

Membership & Registration

• If a club affiliates with TIFAM, do archers need to register individually?No, if a club affiliates with TIFAM/TAI, all of its existing and new archers automatically become members of TIFAM/TAI. Once the club is affiliated, there is no need for individual membership registrations.
• Do new members receive a membership number and digital card?Yes, all members will receive membership numbers. Digital membership cards will be issued as soon as the membership portal is selected.
• How much is the membership?We do not charge for membership.
• How much is the joining fee?We do not have joining fees.
• Are archers under TIFAM insured?Yes. If you are a member of a club affiliated with TIFAM, or if you are an individual archer under TIFAM, you are covered by TIFAM insurance. You can take part in events sanctioned by T.A.I., and due to a mutual agreement, T.A.I. members are officially eligible to compete in AAE tournaments.

Events & Competition

• Can archers represent their own club at events, or must they shoot as direct TIFAM members?Archers can definitely represent their own club. TIFAM is happy for clubs to showcase themselves at events, though small TAI/TIFAM logos on sleeves or pins on the chest may be requested by agreement.
• How do archers identify their club at international events such as ETO 2027?For such events, archers can simply type their club’s name and add a slash and TIFAM (e.g., Club Name / TIFAM), write “under TIFAM,” or state they are “affiliated with TIFAM”.
• Can our club host TAI-sanctioned tournaments, and what is the process?Yes, affiliated clubs are encouraged to host official events. A request for event sanctioning, including proposed dates and formats, should be submitted to the committee to ensure it is added to the national calendar and covered under standard event protocols.
• Are there any target fees or tournament levies that the club must pay to TIFAM when hosting an event?NO — there is no policy for such practice.

Coaching, Safety & Safeguarding

• Is there anybody or a specific position overseeing coaching?Yes, we will soon appoint a National Head Coach, who will work on a comprehensive coaching system for TIFAM under TAI rules.
• Must an individual be a member of a TIFAM-affiliated club to coach TAI archers?Not at this time, but this policy will be discussed and resolved at the November AGM.
• What are the requirements for Garda Vetting and Safeguarding for TIFAM coaches?The processes and requirements for Garda Vetting and Safeguarding will be resolved at the upcoming November AGM.
• Do our existing club ranges and safety setups need to be inspected or certified by TIFAM?To ensure safety compliance and alignment with TAI standards, guidelines for course layout and range safety will be provided. The committee will clarify range assessment requirements during the affiliation process.
• Are there specific divisions, rules, or safety modifications for junior and youth archers?TIFAM fully supports youth development. Detailed breakdowns of age classes, target distances, and specific equipment rules for junior categories align with TAI regulations and will be available in the official rulebook.