Archery Association of Malta

The Archery Association of Malta is the national body for the sport, and the only association in Malta officially recognised by the World Archery Federation, SportMalta and the Maltese Olympic Committee. Its aim is to develop and promote archery as an athletic discipline, from newcomers who want to try a bow to competitors working towards the national team.

It shoots indoors at a range in Pembroke and outdoors at Marsa Sports Club, and is listed on VisitMalta.co.uk in our directory of sports clubs in Malta. British visitors and new residents who already shoot, or who want to start, can enquire through this page.

Events and competitions

The association runs a full calendar: indoor and outdoor national championships, an international tournament, and shooting events almost every week. These events let archers earn the minimum qualifying scores needed to represent Malta in international competition. A spring international tournament was held in Malta in 2023.

The website covers national records, the national competition format, tips on preparing for a competition and anti-doping information. The education section explains range safety, the parts of a bow and how to choose a bow, with guides to recurve, compound, barebow and longbow archery. It also describes Have a Go sessions and group events for people new to the sport.

A short history

Organised archery in Malta goes back to 1969, when the Falcon Bowmen Club was formed. The association itself was founded in 1970 and soon affiliated to the international archery federation. Sagittarius Archery Club followed in 1973.

Maltese archers have since taken part in the Mediterranean Games, European and World Championships and the Commonwealth Games, and at the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, Los Angeles in 1984 and Seoul in 1988. Malta organised the European Outdoor Archery Championships in 1992 and the Archery Games of the Small States of Europe in 2000, and compound bow categories joined local competitions in 1993. Several of its officials have also been appointed international judges, which shows how the association invests in officials as well as archers. The timeline continues into the 2000s with further Small States games, so the sport has a long record on the island.

Membership and conduct

People can join through the Become a Member page, and individual archers are affiliated directly to the association. Members agree to a code of conduct that stresses fair play, respect, safety, protecting young archers and avoiding alcohol or drugs while shooting. It also asks members to make sure they are insured and fit to take part. Fees are not published, so ask when you enquire. If you are bringing children, mention their ages and any previous experience, so the association can tell you whether a Have a Go session or a regular club place is the better first step.

A committee runs the association, with roles including president, secretary, treasurer, scores and records officer, range officer and public relations officer.

Planning a visit

Pembroke is a few minutes from St Julian's, so hotels in Sliema and where to stay in Malta will help you pick a base, while flights to Malta covers the journey from the UK. Check the Malta weather guide before planning outdoor shooting at Marsa, and browse things to do in Malta for the rest of your stay.

A day out with our Valletta guide pairs well with a session, and anyone moving here can read our Malta relocation guide. For wider holiday ideas, see our Malta holidays overview.

How to get in touch

Tell the association whether you would like a Have a Go session, to join, or to compete, and give your dates if you are visiting. Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the Archery Association of Malta.