National Small-bore Rifle Association

Transcription

1 National Small-bore Rifle Association Notes from meeting of Shooting Council on 26 th July 2008 These are notes supplied at the meeting by Brian Woodall. NSRA. Graham Pound Graham Pound has accepted the offer of the position of Vice-President of the Association, which was agreed by the Council at the March meeting. Ingrun Shean The Association's Membership Officer, Ingrun Shean, went to hospital with a suspected minor stroke on 24th April, but was rapidly diagnosed as having other major problems. Courses of treatment were in hand, but sadly she died, peacefully, on 16th July. The funeral was held yesterday at Woking, attended by a number of members of the staff and the Board. The Association provided facilities and refreshments at the Centre for those attending the funeral. SHOOTING MATTERS National Meetings At the 50 metre International Championships in mid June, there was a substantial increase in the number of entries, from 100 in 2007 to 158 this year. It is clear that part of the increase can be put down to the activities of various squads run by the Home Countries and the NSRA's own Junior Squad, but there are quite possibly other reasons as well. On the other hand the number of entrants for the Scottish Meeting at Dumfries was 232, a fall of 70 compared with the 2007 meeting at Lauder. The number of entries for the Bisley Rifle Meeting is approaching 800 and is currently about 40 lower than last year's final figure. Dates for 2009 so far agreed are: February British Airgun Championships 4-10 July. Scottish Rifle Meeting, Forres August Bisley Rifle Meeting International Matches The circuit of international matches in Europe has continued to be supported by shooters selected either by British Shooting and/or the Home Countries. These have resulted in a number of successes and good performances. In particular: World Cups, Beijing, Munich and Milan Neil Stirton won the Men's Prone Rifle Silver Medal in Munich, and in the process set one British National and three British International Records. Ken Parr equalled the British Junior Men's Prone Record at Munich and the Junior 3x40 Record at Milan. European Junior Championships, Pilsen,CZE The Junior Women's Prone Rifle team of Kay Copland, Sheree Cox and Nikki Sammels won the Silver Medal, only losing out on the Gold on countback. 1

2 Olympic Shooting Hopes, Pilsen, CZE The same team shot in the Prone Rifle event at the Olympic Hopes Match, held at Pilsen a month earlier. Their score of 1770 won the competition and set a new British Record, which is two points higher than the equivalent record for Senior Women. Another record was set by the Junior Women's team in the Air Rifle event. Team GB for Beiiing The British Olympic Association accepted the recommendations of British Shooting in selecting the shooters to compete in Beijing next month. The Men's Prone Rifle Quota Place will be filled by Jonathan Hammond, who won it at the 2007 European Championships. Jon will also shoot in the 3x40 and Air Rifle events, for which he holds the relevant Olympic MQSs. The shotgun members of Team GB are Richard Faulds (currently ranked World No. 1, and won three World Cup medals and equalled the World Record this year; also Olympic Champion in 2000), Steve Scott (current European Champion), Elena Little (joint World Record holder) and Charlotte Kerwood. National Indoor Shooting Centre, Aldersley, NISC is now operational on all ranges although the outdoor range still needs additional tubes in the ground for all firing points and all distances. Discussions are ongoing with clubs on access arrangements out of normal hours. Youth Proficiency Scheme ~ Work has been completed on the revision of the YPS air rifle manuals, including the new supplement for 3P air rifle. They have already been sent to all YPS Tutor Trainers. The Coaching and Development will be meeting next month to consider some remaining issues relating to the course for training new YPS Tutors. Use of MOD Ranges There has been much publicity recently within full-bore shooting circles about the future need for certificates of competency for individual shooters on MOD ranges. Initial expectations were that small-bore clubs shooting on MOD facilities would also be caught by this requirement and preliminary work had started on preparing guidance for NSRA clubs on how to meet this need. It has now been confirmed that the arrangements will not extend to small-bore shooters. However a spin-off from the work done is that the NSRA will be able to provide guidance on the format of a course of safety instruction for Probationary Members, as required under the criteria for Home Office Approval of clubs. WADA British Shooting announced this week that as the National Governing Body for shooting recognised by the ISSF, International Olympic Committee. BOA and UK Sport, it has signed up to the new World Anti-Doping arrangements. In doing so the NSRA is also covered, being a member of British Shooting. The effect of this on NSRA activities is being investigated, particularly in relation to the drug declarations currently signed by competitors at NSRA National Meetings. Linatex Linatex is now available from the NSRA Shop in small quantities at a price of 80 per linear metre. ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS Staffing Membership Services has been hit with staffing difficulties. In addition to the loss of Ingrun Shean, Jenny Page broke her hip at the end of March. She has not yet been able to return to work, although she is expected back next month. These two absences have meant that the department has been considerably stretched in recent months. 2

3 NSRA Website The absence of Jenny Page has inevitably slowed down progress on the development and expansion of the NSRA website. In particular it has "not been possible to finalise and launch the Council forum area discussed at the last Council meeting. However it remains a high priority. Clive Garnham has had discussions with representatives of NSRA Ltd on the plans for enhancing website coverage for their activities, including the Centre as a venue for shooting and for non-shooting events, the retail shop and the wholesale activities. The latter includes the supply of shooting goods to the retail trade following the recent acquisition of Gehmann UK. NATSS The round of regional forums was completed in April and subsequently reports on the forums have been made available on the websites of the NSRA, NRA and CPSA. Sport England Initiative Sport England launched its new strategy in June 2008 aimed at creating a world class community sport system in England. As part of this strategy, Sport England is looking to work with National Governing Bodies for the period to achieve three broad outcomes under the headings of Excel, Sustain and Grow. The sport of shooting is one of the 46 sports categorized as being eligible to apply for funding under this programme. In consultation with Sport England, NSRA is now in the process of developing a submission that addresses NSRA's own strategies that match Sport England's strategies. The submission is required by Sport England by the end of August and they will decide in December on the funding that they will award to the various NGBs. However in order to comply with Sport England's wishes to receive just one submission from the sport of Shooting, NSRA's submission will be merged with the plans of NRA and CPSA, and just the one plan submitted to Sport England. Whilst there will be some common outcomes, there will no doubt be outcomes that are specific to each of the three organizations. An analogy is one submission from Aquatics that incorporates swimming, diving, water polo, synchronized swimming, etc where each of those disciplines would be looking to achieve their own outcomes. Home Office Guidance to the Police. The British Shooting Sports Council is being involved by the Home Office in the revision of the Home Office's Guidance to the Police on firearms matters. Geoff Doe is one of the BSSC Representatives who will be involved in this work. Shooting Club Directory In recent years Blaze Publishing (Target Sports and other shooting titles) has produced a directory of clubs. Past sponsors have included the NRA and BASC, but the NSRA had not been invited to participate in sufficient time for things to be sorted out. This was raised with Blaze last year and for the 2008/9 edition we were approached sufficiently early for the decision to be made and material to be prepared.. As a sponsor, the NSRA receives a supply of the directories. A copy will be given to every new individual member of the Association and for other promotional purposes. A copy is available for any Council Member who has not already received a copy via another route. It was distributed earlier this week with the August edition of Target Sports. The directory includes details of many NSRA-affiliated clubs, but these are supplied direct to Blaze Publishing by the club, not by the NSRA. 3

4 These are further notes from discussions at the meeting. Rifleman NSRA apologised for lengthy delays in getting Rifleman out. Staffing issues mainly. Will improve. British Airgun Championships Feb 2009 Now clashes with European competition due to date change. NSRA decided to leave British Comp as above date cos it only affects 6-7 people. Trophies Condition of some of NSRA trophies not good. Lots of discussion, no real conclusion other than need to inspect each trophy on return. If damaged and holder admits damaging it, can be repaired on insurance. Some clubs/associations hold all trophies centrally. Scottish Meeting Lots of discussion regarding the falling numbers at Scottish meetings, and a question as to whether the Scottish shooters want or need the NSRA and lack of attendance at Shooting Council meetings of Scottish reps. Ref. Scottish Meeting, comments included:- Scots would prefer meeting at one location all the time. Locations difficult to find. Would it be better to be long w/e rather than a week? General view = stay as week. Only 35% of all Scottish club members attend meeting. If similar %age of non Scottish club members attended Bisley, not enough space (my note you can prove anything you like with statistics!!!) NSRA has offered help to the Scottish to run meeting but it has been turned down. Suggest classes A&B say Mon & Tues, and C & D Weds & Thurs so shooters don t have to be there all week. Various views on this. Scottish meeting (as with all NSRA meetings) required to break even at least. Will consider stopping Scottish if that doesn t happen. Ref. Scottish attendance at Shooting Council meetings, comments included :- The obvious one that it is a long way to travel for a 2-3 hr meeting (all Sh. Cl mtgs have been at Bisley in last few years) They used to be in London which is easer to get to for Scottish reps but expensive to hire rooms for meeting. (my note - I will admit I always vote for the meetings to be at Bisley!!!) Suggest conference call for Scottish reps. Mixed views on manageability. Suggest shooters forum at Scottish Meeting rather than Shooting Council meeting. Tried Shooting Council meeting in Scotland in 2002 but very poor attendance (my note I was there!!!) NSRA to take all comments made and consider any changes that could be made to improve attendances. 4

5 Post Office Apparently, Saturday deliveries are likely to stop soon!!!. NSRA to review dates for receipt of competition cards etc. Coaching Juniors Legislation comes in in 2009 (with a further 5 years to put procedures in place) ref. it will be a criminal offence if there is frequent contact with children (under 18) unless person has been vetted. NSRA to issue further info. Insurance should cover claims as long as whatever procedures are required have been gone through. Applies mostly to club coaches but could also apply to others. Olympics Meeting reported that shooting is definitely at Woolwich. Costs gone up due to size of butts. (my note I read something recently that suggested somebody is reviewing the lack of legacy at some of the Olympic locations, including shooting. Probably too late now to relocate!) Geoff. Doe Retiring Geoff retires next year. Understudy lasted a few months a year or so ago due to cost. NSRA are to review possibility of getting a replacement soon to understudy for a period for continuity. Alan Whitehead Hampshire Rep. to Shooting Council 5

6 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF TARGET SHOOTING SPORTS (Working Title) Promoted by the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association, the National Rifle Association, the National Small-bore Rifle Association and British Shooting PRESS RELEASE July 2008 At a recent meeting of the Steering Group of the four Promoters, a first draft Constitution for the New Body was considered. This reflected the views of UK Target Shooters that emerged following the On-line Survey and the Home Country/Regional Workshops held earlier this year. The Constitution will be designed to be flexible and recognition will be given to the special position of the Home Countries target-shooting Governing Bodies. It will provide all UK target-shooting participants with the opportunity to join and benefit from the new organisation. The constitution will be progressed in conjunction with the Highlevel Strategic Plan being developed under the guidance of the Facilitators, Performance Matters. Under the leadership of the Performance Matters, the following additional Working Parties were set up. 1. To consider the plan to fulfil the objective of one membership structure based on individual membership. 2. To prepare a Financial Model and Budget Plan. The above work and proposals emerging will be put to a second and, probably, final Key Stakeholders Forum at the end of the year.. A central, convenient, venue for this meeting is being sought. In the meantime, the three National Governing bodies are cooperating in a single bid to Sport England for Target Shooting development Note: Detailed reports of progress of NATSS are published regularly and can be accessed via the websites of any of: