How Do I Join If I'm Experienced?

Training Sessions

When and where?

What regular training sessions are like

If you've had previous experience or are still relatively new to Kyudo but you've started your journey elsewhere, please contact us about your experience by email or swing by to one of our training sessions and have a chat with us!

If you have sufficient level of experience, you can join straight in our regular training sessions. We train two days a week at the following locations:

Main training

Sundays from 9.00am - 1.00pm (in the Stadium)

North Melbourne Recreation Centre

204-206 Arden Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051

Supplementary training

Wednesdays from 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Ambrose Archery

25 Orr Street, Heidelberg Heights VIC 3081

Fridays from 7.00pm - 9.00pm (fortnightly in the Community Hall)

North Melbourne Community Centre

49-53 Buncle Street, North Melbourne VIC 3051

To check out how to get here, head over to:

Contact

Sunday sessions

Sundays at the NMRC are open to all and are the main regular training sessions that includes beginner training, taihai, and training on various other aspects of Kyudo that are not focused solely on shooting for a well-rounded training session.

Training time between 9am to 10am includes dojo set up and free-shooting session. Bow in for main training from 10am.

Sunday mornings are the formal training sessions, and so kyudogi is expected unless you are a beginner that has no gear available yet, in which case just come in comfortable clothes.

Whilst Wednesday sessions are more appropriate for individual shooting and self-reflection, Sunday sessions are more structured and instructor-led with the assistance of senior members of the club, with rotating topics and items of focus per session either set by the instructor or per member suggestions. It is highly encouraged for members to attend Sunday sessions regularly on a weekly basis, although casual option is available if you have personal constraints.

Wednesday sessions

Wednesdays are reserved for members who are able to shoot long-range independently to focus on their shooting technique. For those that have gone through our introductory course, you will be able to join Wednesday sessions once the goals that are set in the learning syllabus are met as this represents you are at the appropriate level for independent shooting.

We as a club understand the various obligations of our members whether it be due to work, study or other. Wednesday nights are designed to be casual sessions voluntary for members to join in whenever they can make it for extra training, thus kyudogi is not required to maximise the short time available.

We have a standard booking with Ambrose Archery, who are very generous and sets up barriers for a Kyudo-specific lanes on the range. Note that OKM does not take payment for Wednesday sessions, but fees are paid direct to Ambrose Archery instead. If you do attend a Wednesday session, please be sure to pay at the counter before you leave.

Friday sessions (fortnightly)

Fortnightly Friday training sessions in the 'Community Hall' at NMCC are optional and open to all levels, designed to supplement the regular Sunday sessions. There is no long-range shooting, and the focus will be on shooting procedures such as taihai and sharei, with short-range makiwara shooting available.

Friday sessions are semi-formal, where similar to Wednesday sessions we understand club members' various obligations on a weeknight, and so kyudogi is recommended but optional. As above, we encourage regular attendance to the Sunday sessions, and Friday nights are available if you would like some extra practice.

How much is it?

Annual membership

Total of $90 for the period of July - June financial year, payable to the club.

This includes membership to the club (Odoguma Kyudo Melbourne) at $10, the state association (Victorian Kyudo Association) at $30, and the national association (Australian Kyudo Association) at $50.
Membership covers you for insurance purposes held under the AKA, and gives you access to members-only events such as national seminars.
If members joins between January - June, the half-year fee of $45 will apply until the next renewal cycle in July instead.

Training fees (Fridays and Sundays)

Separate to the annual membership, training fees cover the cost of NMRC Stadium and NMCC Community Hall hire and funds club equipment purchases.

Fixed Option: $50 per month
Casual Option: $15 per session

Fees are payable to the club in advance before participating in the training. Note that once a session has been attended, fees are non-refundable.

Ambrose Archery fees (Wednesdays)

$20 per session, payable to the venue Ambrose Archery. OKM itself takes no fees for Wednesday sessions.