Become part of Ireland’s growing traditional archery community. Join TIFAM today.
The Irish Foundation for Archery and Mentorship (TIFAM) is the recognised By Traditional Archers International (TAI) governing body for traditional archery in Ireland under the TAI Sporting Regulations.
Whether you are an individual archer, an established club, or a group wishing to establish a new club, TIFAM provides a modern, inclusive and internationally recognised structure for traditional archery in Ireland.
Our aim is simple:
To make traditional archery accessible, affordable and professionally organised while supporting clubs and archers at every level.
Why Join TIFAM?
✔ National governing body for Traditional Archers International in Ireland
✔ Internationally recognised competition pathway
✔ Free club affiliation and individual membership
✔ Insurance included until 23 May 2027
✔ Irish rankings and national records
✔ International competition eligibility
✔ Coaching and referee development
✔ Education and research opportunities
✔ Modern digital membership and competition system
✔ Support for existing clubs and new clubs
Membership
Joining TIFAM is straightforward.
Individual Archers register through the TIFAM Membership Portal and receive:
- Official TIFAM Membership Number
- Digital Membership Card
- Eligibility for T.A.I.-sanctioned competitions domestically and worldwide
- Personal competition history
- Performance statistics
- National ranking
- Irish record recognition
- Personal Best tracking
- Access to coaching and referee pathways
- Educational courses through the Archery Education & Research Centre
- Future access to digital scorecards and live competition results
- Affordable Insurance cover Paid after 23/05/2027
Clubs affiliate with TIFAM while remaining fully independent. Their members simply complete their own free individual registration through the Membership Portal.
Membership of TIFAM does not prevent clubs or archers from remaining affiliated with organisations such as Archery Ireland, IFAF, SIFA, or any other governing body.
Membership Fees & Insurance
TIFAM believes traditional archery should remain accessible to everyone.
There are:
- No club affiliation fees
- No individual membership fees
- No annual subscriptions payable to TIFAM
Our insurance policy already covers all affiliated clubs and registered members and renews every 23 May – yearly
The schedule identifies TIFAM as the insured organisation and archery as the insured activity. Cover applies where the following conditions are met:
- Each archer must register individually with TIFAM. A club’s affiliation with TIFAM does not automatically register its archers (All archers need to register individually under their club if club chose to join us).
- Any session, practice shoot, competition, or event must carry TIFAM authorisation or sanction and take place within the Republic of Ireland.
- Required conditions concerning supervision, participant registration, risk assessments, first-aid provision, staff training, and equipment checks must be satisfied.
- Both the archer and the affiliated club must comply with TIFAM sporting regulations and safety procedures.
- Cover includes TIFAM’s public liability and archer-to-archer liability.
Benefits for Clubs
Affiliating with TIFAM gives clubs access to an international governing structure while allowing them to retain their complete independence.
Affiliated clubs benefit from:
- Recognition under Traditional Archers International
- Indemnity for your woodland and indoor ranges, subject to a site risk assessment and an emergency procedure plan.
- The ability to organise official T.A.I.-sanctioned competitions
- Safety advice and technical support
- National competition calendar
- Representation within TIFAM
- Coaching and referee education
- Support when establishing new clubs
- Access to the TIFAM digital competition management system
There are no licence or sanction fees payable to TIFAM for approved competitions.
Woodland Facilities for Affiliated Clubs
Access to suitable woodland is one of the greatest challenges facing field archery clubs.
To help address this, TIFAM has secured a licence covering approximately 1,000 acres within the Derry Woods complex in County Laois.
Clubs based in Laois, Offaly, Kildare, and neighbouring counties that are struggling to secure a permanent woodland venue are invited to join TIFAM.
Subject to availability, dedicated shooting areas can be allocated for:
- Regular training
- Club shoots
- Coaching sessions
- T.A.I.-sanctioned competitions
Our goal is to help clubs develop by removing one of the greatest barriers facing traditional field archery.
Competition & Records
Every registered member becomes eligible to compete in T.A.I.-sanctioned tournaments throughout the world, including the European Traditional Open (ETO) and other international events.
Beginning with the first official T.A.I. competition organised in Ireland, TIFAM will maintain:
- Official Irish Rankings
- National Records
- Personal Bests
- Historical Competition Results
- Performance Statistics
A national competition calendar will continue to grow as more clubs become affiliated.
Education & Development
Education is one of the foundations of TIFAM.
Through the Archery Education & Research Centre (AERC) members will have access to courses and workshops including:
- Coaching
- Refereeing
- First Aid
- Safeguarding
- Course Setting
- Range Safety
- Sports Science
- Traditional Bow Making
- Arrow Making
- Archery History
- Research Publications
The Centre will continue to expand with new educational opportunities throughout the year.
Governance
TIFAM is a democratic organisation.
Every registered member has the opportunity to stand for election to the Board of Directors.
Every affiliated club has representation within the organisation.
The Annual General Meeting, held each November, elects:
- Board of Directors
- National Safety Officer
- International Representative
- Two Irish Representatives to the Traditional Archers International General Assembly
Members help shape the future development of traditional archery in Ireland.
Starting a New Club?
If you are planning to establish a traditional archery club, TIFAM can help.
We provide guidance on:
- Club formation
- Range planning
- Safety requirements
- Course design
- T.A.I. Sporting Regulations
- Competition organisation
- Coach and referee development
Our aim is to make establishing a traditional archery club as straightforward as possible.
How to Join
Individual Archer
Complete the online Membership Registration Form.
Receive your Membership Number and Digital Membership Card.
Start enjoying the benefits of TIFAM membership and take part in T.A.I. competitions throughout Ireland and abroad.
Club
Complete the Club Affiliation Form.
Once your affiliation has been approved, encourage your members to complete their free individual registrations through the Membership Portal.
If you wish to organise official T.A.I. competitions, TIFAM will arrange a range inspection and provide any support required to ensure compliance with the Sporting Regulations.
Our Vision
TIFAM exists to support clubs, develop archers, promote education, uphold high standards of safety, and strengthen traditional archery throughout Ireland. By working together, we can build a welcoming, affordable, and internationally recognised community that preserves the traditions of our sport while creating new opportunities for future generations.
Contact
Email: info@tifam.ie
Andrew Wayland Chair_person@tifam.ie
Marcin Malek Secretary@tifam.ie
Shelley Mooney pro@tifam.ie