Rhode Island Field Archery Association

The Rhode Island Field Archery Association (RIFAA) is the state's governing body for field archery competition and club management. Founded in the early 1970s, RIFAA emerged from the transition from barebow-only competition to the NFAA (National Field Archery Association) model, which introduced sights and opened the sport to a much broader audience.

From 1967's first state tournament at Pine Top ski area to today's indoor shoots breaking records, RIFAA has shaped Rhode Island's archery community for over five decades.

• •Sanctioned Tournaments: Indoor and outdoor field archery shoots throughout the year
• •NFAA Competition Access: Members can compete at USA Archery national and regional events
• •Member Club Network: Directory of affiliated archery shops and clubs across Rhode Island
• •Archery Magazine: Four annual issues covering member accomplishments, techniques, and event results
• •Awards & Recognition: Benchmarks for achievement in skills, service, and membership milestones
• •Instructional Resources: Video library and competition history

RIFAA started when the National Field Archery Association formed in 1965, bringing sights into competition—a game-changer that exploded participation. The organization hosted major events like the 1972 National Outdoor Archery Tournament in Massachusetts, which drew 652 competitors and introduced compound bows on a large scale.

Under leadership like James Dean (State President 1975-1983), RIFAA grew from 25 members to 159 in just two years and established the first State Indoor Tournament in 1978 with 78 archers.

RIFAA maintains the RIFAA Constitution and By-Laws, member registration, score tracking, and coordinates with the broader New England Section Field Archery Association. The organization operates an active website with schedules, registration forms, scores, results, and contact information for member clubs and shops.