Age categories

Age categories are different depending on what type of competition that you are shooting. The FCA (Federation of Canadian Archers) has age categories that are the same as FITA (the main international organization), however many of the younger age categories are a little blurred and special attention needs to be paid to what you are shooting scores for.

Also, there are a number of different equipment categories that archers must be aware of as each category has it's own records/requirements.

Age categories are important - specifically for the younger ages as that will determine the distances that you shoot from during a competition.

If you are fortunate enough to be 15 years old and want to shoot a J.O.P Competition, you will shoot at 45M, 35M and 25M, however if you are shooting any other competition (say a Canadian 900 or a FITA round) you will be shooting at 60M, 50M 40M and 30M - when training and learning how to estimate your shot, a 5M difference will make all the difference in the world.

Ok, from the official FCA rulebook we have the following information:

4.2.1 [FITA differs] recognizes the following classes:

Category Name	Age (as of December 31st of the current year)
Master Men; & Master Women;	50 Years old +
Senior Men [also called “Men”];	Anyone can compete as a Senior regardless of age, and if you are 19 or older you are a senior and may not compete in younger categories
Senior Women [also called “Women”]; Senior = 19 to 49 years old
Junior Men; & Junior Women; Junior = 17 & 18 Years Old	Must be 18 y/o or younger (as of December 31st of the current year)
Cadet Men; & Cadet Women; Cadet = 15 & 16 Years Old	Must be 16 y/o or younger (as of December 31st of the current year)
Cub Men; & Cub Women; Cub = 13 & 14 Years Old	Must be 14 y/o or younger (as of December 31st of the current year)
Pre-Cub Men; & Pre-Cub Women; Pre-Cub = 10 - 12 Years Old	Must be 12 y/o or younger (as of December 31st of the current year)
Peewee Men; & Peewee Women.	Must be 9 y/o (as of December 31st of the current year)

Next, for the J.O.P Program (sponsored by BC Archery Association)

Category Name	Age (as of January 1st of the current year)
Intermediate Men and Women	Ages 18-20
Junior Men; & Junior Women;	16 & 17 Years Old
Cadet Men; & Cadet Women;	14 & 15 Years Old
Cub Men; & Cub Women;	12 & 13 Years Old
Robins	10/11 Years Old
Badgers	Must be 9 y/o and younger

FITA - Fédération Intarnationale de Tit á l'Arc - is the international governing organization for Archery rules, most Canadian rules follow suit, however there are some differences.