September 22, 2025 – The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP®) is proud to partner with the Archery Trade Association (ATA) in a new course designed to strengthen connections between archery retailers and NASP® participants. The “Friends of NASP®” course helps retailers understand the mission, rules, and equipment standards of NASP® so they can better support school programs, student archers, their parents, and coaches.
With more than 10,000 active schools in 62 jurisdictions, NASP® continues to grow at an unprecedented pace. Local archery retailers are often part of the journey for student archers who want to practice, purchase their own equipment, upgrade their equipment, and explore archery beyond the classroom. Through the “Friends of NASP®” course, archery retailers can easily gain the knowledge they need to assist NASP® participants while staying aligned with the program guidelines.
“NASP® is rapidly growing, and these local pro shops can serve as a doorway for our NASP® student-archers to find the next step on their archery journey,” said Tommy Floyd, NASP® President, “So many good things can happen when NASP® students and local archery shops connect. We are grateful for the work of the ATA to help connect local archery shops with nearby NASP® schools to help build that bridge.”
Once they complete the course, archery retailers will be identified as a Friend of NASP®, they will be listed on the Archery 360 website Store Locator, given a special emblem showing they are equipped to serve NASP® participants and a window cling to display in their store. This makes it easier for participants to identify trusted local partners, coaches to recommend supportive shops, and students to discover a place in the archery community that extends beyond the school gym.
The free course (for ATA members) includes:
- Success stories from retailers who already work closely with NASP® schools
- Equipment specific information retailers need to understand
- Guidance for welcoming and supporting NASP® coaches, archers, and their families into your store community
State wildlife agencies also see value in this new resource. “Retailers who connect with NASP® archers have a chance to make a lasting impression on potential lifelong customers and their families,” said Kellina Gilbreth, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, “This early engagement can foster relationships that grow the shop and the sport of archery as a whole.”
The Friends of NASP® initiative reflects the joint commitment of NASP® and the ATA to expand access to archery and strengthen pathways for students to stay engaged in the sport.
Jeff Rawlinson, Vice President of NASP®, shares that, “We are so appreciative of our partnership with the ATA and the many pro shops around the country that make archery available to so many. NASP® is changing the culture of archery participation in North America. We are excited to know that our pro shops continue to work right beside us to support their local schools and student archers. This will impact lives in a very positive way!”
Coaches, parents, and NASP® archers are encouraged to share this opportunity with their local archery shop. By taking the Friends of NASP® course, retailers can be better recognized as trusted partners helping students find success, stay engaged, and be inspired through archery. Course link.
The Friends of NASP® course is now available exclusively to ATA members. Please contact Nicole Nash, ATA’s senior manager of outreach, at nicolenash@archerytrade.orgor (507) 233-8146 with questions.
For more information about NASP® or to get involved, visit www.naspschools.org
Related posts:
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s continues strong partnership with the National Archery in the Schools Program with $100,000 grant through the Outdoor Fund
NASP Reaches 10,000 Schools: A Historic Milestone in In-School Archery Education
The National Archery in the Schools Program celebrates the addition of Delaware to NASP®. NASP® now actively educating in all 50 states!
The National Archery in the Schools Program Announces the Results of the 2024 NASP® Student Survey and continued evidence of lives changed!
