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Frequently asked questions regarding Professional /Amateur Status under IFAA Rules

FAQ 1: Do these rules apply from 2009 or only from 2010?

Answer: The 2009/10 rules actually state in Policy Article 15 that ...As at 1st May 2008 all archers are deemed Amateurs... The 2009/10 rules state in Constitution Article XVIII that the rules 2009/10 come into effect from 1st January 2009

FAQ 2: Is this for all categories? If this archer is in a bowhunter unlimited class is he forced to shoot freestyle now or is there a Bowhunter unlimited Pro category?

Answer: It applies to all archers regardless the style. Excluded are Cubs and Juniors. There are two styles available for professionals: Freestyle unlimited and Freestyle limited (Refer also to Article IV ClauseF1)

FAQ 3: If an archer is sponsored a Long Bow by the manufacturer is he also a Pro? Which category does this put him?

Answer: No; Please refer to the Definition of Amateur Status Paragraph 5b. (see below):

b. An Amateur Archer may accept archery equipment or any other gift (e.g. complimentary sight-seeing trips, hunting trips, etc.) provided no advertising is involved. Such equipment or gift may not be exchanged for cash.

FAQ 4:If an archer is a disabled archer and gets a Factory Sponsor in which category does this put him?

Answer: The IFAA unfortunately does not recognize disabled archers. So for disabled archers the same rules apply as for non-disabled archers.

FAQ 5: If an archer receives prize money or voucher incentive from his sponsor if it is local or abroad, is this deemed as a breach of armature status?

Answer: To respond to this question, a clear understanding of

a) the relationship between the Archer and the sponsor and
b) the value of the prize money or voucher incentive would be necessary.

From a principle point of view, there are two determining factors:

a) If the archer has entered into a written or oral agreement with a sponsor or a professional agent, it makes him a Professional. Same applies if the Amateur Archer is member of any Professional Archer´ Association.

b) Even without a agreement or a membership status if a sponsor or a professional organization is using the personality of the said archer for advertisement / promotion purpose for Products / Services “ that would make the Archer a Professional as well. Only if the Archer can demonstrate that this has happened without his permission he gets back the Amateur status.

FAQ 6: If an archer breached this rule as a result of ignorance because of not being informed by his local sports body that is affiliated to IFAA of the changes and cancel His contract when He becomes aware of this information before he has actually received any such goods. Will this still be considered a breach?

Answer: Again, the reply to this question depends of the circumstances behind the case. Howerver, an archer has the obligation to be familiar with the rules. It is his responsibility and not the responsibility of any sports body. It has also to be noted that The information has been fully available on the IFAA web site since late 2008.

To constitute a breach of the Amateur status, the agreement with the sponsor / professional agent or the Professional Archers Association has to come into force first. This happens as soon as one party of the agreement has started to fulfill the agreement.

FAQ7: If an archer's name has been advertised in a local magazine as a Pro shooter does this make Him a Pro?

Answer: If this happens in order to promote the Sponsors Products/Services or the Sponsors shop as such, yes.
If it is only mentioned that the said archer is a PRO shooter it would not constitute the professional status.

Note also that this is related to Archery Sport. If somebody is in parallel a professional Hunter and advertisement is made with his hunting skill this would not make him a professional archer under the IFAA Rules.
As a rule of thumb: If the report is as a News item - for a limited period of time - then it is not advertising. Likewise being labeled as a Pro associated to his hunting skill is not an IFAA activity.

FAQ8: If a archer's photo has been published in a magazine advert directly linked to a bow manufacturer brand does this also make Him/her a Pro?

Answer: YES

FAQ9: If an archer signed a contract with a bow manufacturer in 2008 and 2009(this puts him in breach and He then is considered a Pro) but does not reapply for a sponsorship as a result of personal reasons. What will his status be and what should he do? Note: this rule only came into effect in 2009.

Answer: In general: Please refer to the reply on FAQ#1
Please note also, that this is all in connection with membership within the IFAA. IF the said archer was no member at this time the rules do not apply.

If an archer is seeking reinstatement of the amateur status, details are given in the Policy under Article 15.

FAQ 10: Any other factory sponsorship such as Arrows, Rests, Broadheads, Strings, Sights, releases and all other equipment associated with archery. Does this also put an archer in breach?

Answer: in general please refer to the reply on FAQ#3
Please note also that it also depends on if there is advertising attached to the sponsorship.

FAQ11: Does wearing any clothing with a Bow Manufacturer's name and PRO STAFF put an archer in breach? Note: This was given to Him by His local sponsor to promote the bow brand He shoots and that the local agent sells.

Answer: Wearing Clothing containing adverts does not make an Archer a professional per se.

If on an IFAA sanctioned tournament, an archer is wearing outfit containing the statement that he declares himself a member of the Professional staff of a company or a member of a professional team, this would constitute a self declaration as per Definition of Professional Status Paragraph 3
Excluded of this are advertisements provided by the organizer of any IFAA sanctioned tournament.

FAQ 12: Can this Pro Shooter still be entered into a competition as a team member representing His/her country if He/she is a Pro?

Answer: Here we have to clarify the double meaning of team:
Each archer participating on a IFAA sanctioned tournament is member of his national team, regardless the status.
For the team event Champion of Nations Competition, only the Styles are accepted as mentioned under Policy Article 10 Clause C.

For the Style team Competition, a professional could participate under the provisions of Article 16-Style Teams Clause C2 Corporate Members.