USA Archery Attributes Membership Increase to Hunger Games Popularity

USA Archery have revealed their recent spike in membership has a lot to do with the success of film franchise, Hunger Games. 

USA Archery says its membership has increased from 4,185 in November 2011 to 8,589 in November 2013 — a 105 percent jump. The first The Hunger Games movie opened in the spring of 2012. The movie’s star, Jennifer Lawrence, used a bow and arrow during the movies and was coached for archery scenes by five-time Olympian Khatuna Lorig.

“We definitely attribute much of this growth to The Hunger Games films, along with movies like Brave and The Avengers,” said USA Archery CEO Denise Parker said in a statement. “Given that archery was also the most-watched sport during NBC’s first week of Olympic Games coverage, we’re hopeful that people who see and try the sport will find out what archery fans already know: it’s an awesome sport, fun and challenging, and one that you can enjoy year-round and for the rest of your life.”

Parker was a three-time Olympian and won a bronze medal.

USA Archery also cited growth in its competitions. Its national indoor and Junior Olympic Archery Development championships had an increase of 31 percent from 2012 to 2013.