Castlemaine PM

[AlanF]

Not once did I mention NOT being competitive ... I mention the people that go or more to the point DONT GO because the prize wasnt substantial enough .. ..

Okay fair enough - I saw the "shooting for sheep stations" and inferred a different meaning from what you intended. And I'm aware that you are one of 'The Few'.

Alan

[Barry Davies]

Shooting "against yourself " is hardly being competitive- would'nt even be a good social day out--rather boring in fact.

[AlanF]

Barry,

I think most shooters who have been around value badges more than money/trophies, and new shooters soon pick up on it. We get our badges made locally, and base the badge numbers on at least 30% of the expected numbers. If we over-estimate numbers in a particular grade, we will write off a badge rather than hand it out and deflate its value. So if you get a badge at Rosedale, you had to earn it.

We are only giving out range medallions to first place. Some have expressed a desire for second and third as well. At our OPM with 7 grades (including F/TR) and 6 ranges, we already need 42 - the numbers would triple to 126! It could be done but something else would need to change to accommodate it e.g. reduce trophy values or raise entry fees, or the very worst option, bring back competitor marking !

Alan

[Barry Davies]

Alan,
A medalion for first placing is sufficient.
We started this post by talking about the number of badges on offer and considered one badge only as insufficient to attract other than those who go anyway -and we know who they are. It got off topic from there.
Lets get back on topic and I will ask a question -- who, of those who regularly attend PM's consider one badge sufficient for FO, considering the increase in FO participation currently?

[bartman007]

Hey Danny, I shoot F Std for FUN. You can't take it too serious when you are using "sub standard" projectiles and powder Just kidding, you guy's must have a lot of skill/luck to overcome the limitations of your equipment Looking forward to the DRA teams in a few weeks time, I should be shooting F Std there!

As to the other comments flowing through this thread:
1. I travelled 4.5 hours to Warracknabeal for a 2 day shoot for a couple of reasons: (i) competing against top shooters - extremely important (ii) a great social atmosphere, so a great weekend away from work (iii) and the chance to take home a badge or medal. I agree with Lynn, prizes have little impact on my decision to attend.

2. OPM's paying out or not is one thing, the State Queens paying out is another. But the same thing again, an Appropriate number of badges and medals is a must to attract shooters. This is what our kids will see in years to come, not the crystal vase sitting in the cupboard with no engraving or labeling attached!

[Barry Davies]

Hi Mike,
Like your comment " an appropriate number of badges and medals is a must to attract shooters " at least you and I agree.

[DannyS]

Hey Mike, I always shoot for FUN, I'm just deadly serious at the same time.

[bruce moulds]

what some s.a.clubs are doing now is making it known that they will have extra badges printed after the event should entries require this.
this has tended to break that chicken/egg thing.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Lynn Otto]

Too many "stay at homes" who don't support.
The purpose of this thread was primarily to encourage some organizations to get serious about a very important aspect of our sport and put up a little more to encourage attendance.
Barry

Barry I certainly see the point of the thread and understand your purpose. I guess everyone is different, the prize side of things makes very little difference for us personally, we support as many OPMs as we can regardless, but I know a lot don't. For some of those I doubt the prize aspect would make much difference, some will always be 'stay at home'ers'. It would be nice to think the organisers took what they were doing with your points in mind though because as each club stops running OPMs we are all that little bit worse off, even those that don't support the events.

Yes with the numbers I have seen in Open recently, 1 badge is grossly insufficient and the answer for the clubs may be as Bruce says, most clubs here allow for extra badges as required on the entries on the day. You still get acknowledged at presentation but receive the actual badge in the mail later, it works here.

[AlanF]

...Lets get back on topic and I will ask a question -- who, of those who regularly attend PM's consider one badge sufficient for FO, considering the increase in FO participation currently?

Barry,

You're obviously being critical of Castlemaine for advertising a single badge for FO. Well I think its quite unfair in their case. They went with three badges for 2009 and 2010, and only got two entries each time, so they dropped it to one in 2011, and again got two entries. I might add that none of those 6 entries was from the Castlemaine-Bendigo area, in fact all were from Gippsland clubs apart from one DVUY. So maybe your own club could have supported it over the last few years and we might still have 3 FO badges.

Alan

[DannyS]

From memory, I started this thread and yes, I didn't know the numbers of entries in previous years. However, I still think that clubs need to encourage entries and the number of badges available are a definate incentive.

Now the big question, how many f open shooters are prepared to put their hand up and say they will attend?

And will Castlemaine RC offer more badges?

Maybe a bit of communication required?

Or you can all tell me to shut up and keep out of it.

Cheers
Danny

[AlanF]

Yes keep it positive Danny.

And sorry I won't get there - its smack in the middle of a very busy 2 month period for me : Two Queens, three FCWC trials, two Pennants, two local PMs and more.

I hope it goes well.

Alan

[Barry Davies]

Ah Alan,
Since you mentioned it we are not welcome at Castlemaine as you well know, now how far do you want to persue that?
And further I can remember the time when certain FO shooters insisted on 3 badges if they were to attend any PM-- remember!!
Bugger me, you try to stimulate some worthwhile discussion which will hopefully stimulate ( particularly ) FO and all you want to do is drag up !!!!

[johnk]

Danny,

I reckon anybody is entitled to express a viewpoint. No problems theree.

Consider this though:

My lad played soccer for a few years, despite the fact he was a tall, lanky kid for his age & accordingly, a tad down on nimbleness. What sodded him off & finally led him to refuse to play any more was the last end of year presentation night, where everybody who played on the team ended up with a trophy - an attendance prize, not a reward for any degree of skill.

Now, what you seem to be saying is that Castlemaine should continue to offer FO attendance badges. I have to concede though to having been around long enough to have seen the occasional run of the mill shooter who attended every possible prize meeting because they were aware that there were always likely to be more C grade badges than shooters.

Dunno about you, but I'd be inclined to refuse a last-in-division prize if it was offered. No I wouldn't; I would have split for home before the presentation. And from the promoters' perspectives, wouldn't it be wonderful to outlay more on a section of entries than the fees that those competitors pay in.

Promoters aren't there to let generosity exceed the bounds of financial prudence, nor should they be about soaking the entrants & offering little in return. Ultimately, competitors decide what shoots they patronise & the sand pits I've played in rarely offer excessive prize lists or generous cash payouts.

Best, John

[Barry Davies]

John,
Do you consider all badges other than #1 to be "attendance " badges.