World Archery has signed a deal with the Archery Trade Association ©World Archery

World Archery and the Archery Trade Association (ATA) have formalised an agreement which will see the organisations work together in the build-up to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Both parties initially signed a commitment to join forces before the fourth stage of the Indoor Archery World Cup season in Las Vegas in February. 

This has now been rubber-stamped as a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the focus the next Summer Games in the Japanese capital.

The ATA, which was founded in 1953, represents the interests of manufacturers, distributors, retailers, sales representatives and others working in the archery industry.

They have already teamed up with World Archery, the sport's global governing body, to collaborate on various projects.

These include an internet video which aims to explain the sport to the public.

Formalising the agreement is "an indication of the two organisations’ shared vision for a world in which everyone has the opportunity to make archery their activity of choice in the communities where they live", a World Archery statement claimed.

Both organisations will now identify areas where projects overlap, and where resources and expertise can be shared to better achieve common goals.

The agreement will look to build archery before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ©Getty Images
The agreement will look to build archery before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games ©Getty Images

Grassroots development, public perception and potential key markets will be high on the agenda.

World Archery secretary general Tom Dielen said: "The ATA and World Archery have been collaborating on projects for a number of years. 

"This MoU formalises our commitment to continue that relationship, working together for the betterment of archery - and through shared expertise, better approaching the challenges and opportunities we, as a community, face."

The annual ATA show is the world's largest event of its kind for archery.

ATA President and chief executive Jay McAninch said: "With evidence of strong growth in recreational archery, this partnership is essential for sharing resources and helping to grow archery’s global footprint. 

"ATA’s industry members will benefit from increased archery awareness and participation, and the market research data we’ll be able to gather in partnership with World Archery. 

"Developing global markets is a critical aspect of the future growth of archery."