POLL - F-Class Queens Badge Insult

[AlanF]

No matter which way you look at this, it is disrespectful towards F-Class. Even if there is some substance to the fears that the NRA of GB might remove the Queens Prize status from all Australian events, then a decent response from the NRAA would be to say "Go ahead, we're not going to discriminate between the classes".

So how can we best handle this situation without making things worse? The NRAA needs to be sent a clear message that F-Class will not be treated as second class members. Boycotting shoots should be a last resort, particularly boycotting State and Territory Queens shoots. They have been pressured by the NRAA to "fall in line" (as stated on the VRA website). Boycotting these events would not only put the blame in the wrong place, but would also deprive a large number of F-Class shooters from competing. If there was to be a boycott, then the National Queens would be better directed and send a clearer message.

But we need to consider alternatives to boycotts. I'm wondering if ozfclass could run an Australia-wide petition that could be sent directly to the NRAA. Even if the NRAA refused to accept it officially, it would have some impact. The correct protocols would mean going through our S&T associations, but that would only slow the process and water down the message.

I want to start by running a poll of the various options, to see how strong the feelings are on this, and what is the most favoured way of dealing with it.

One word of warning here - don't put too much emphasis on this poll, particularly on the number of responses. On the other hand, a petition put out at weekend club shoots should get the support of many hundreds of shooters, both F-Class and TR.

[Barry Davies]

I believe a petition organised at ( every) club level would reach the most people. Get as many signatures as possible and finally present all of the hundreds? of signed partitions to the NRAA.
Alan, might I suggest a closed forum on ozfclass as you have done in the past, consisting of several clear thinking f Class members to come up with an appropriately worded petition for presentation, firstly to each and every F Class ( and TR ) NRAA member and finally to the NRAA.
Barry

[bobeager]

The NRAA needs to start thinking where their Money comes from...members....my club is almost 100 percent F CLASS now, and the members are starting to question whether they even need to join State / NRAA at all, given that, except for a couple of members , they do not compete away at OPMs. And yes, there are alternative insurance schemes.

[AlanF]

...Alan, might I suggest a closed forum on ozfclass as you have done in the past, consisting of several clear thinking f Class members to come up with an appropriately worded partition for presentation, firstly to each and every F Class ( and TR ) NRAA member and finally to the NRAA.
Barry

Sounds good Barry. I agree the wording needs to be carefully considered. We need to agree on exactly what we want.

[bsouthernau]

Shame we can't put in two votes in the poll. One one hand I don't care what it's called, OTO it's insulting to have the name taken away from F Classers. My understanding is that none of us is a member of the NRAA which is a company whose members are the S&T Associations hence the way to get anything done is to petition, lobby or whatever those associations.

Just flying a kite here - what would people think about giving a Queens Prize badge ONLY to the number one TR shooter and ALL the other A Grade, B, C and F Class badges were labelled Rifle Championship? Maintains some tradition but the rest of us are on an even footing.

Barry

[Barry Davies]

Wishfull thinking

[Razer]

WE do need a controlling body if only to ensure that all shooters are competing at the same level regards SSR's.
I would hate to think what would happen if every club/state started shooting with none uniform regulations.

Can anybody please quote chapter and verse the wording from NRAA that directly implies that FC will not qualify for future Queens badges?

If so, please do so, and we can then put this as the header for a petition voicing our disapproval, which can be circulated to all clubs, as Barry suggests, so that the grassroots members, by signing, are able to let the NRAA know that this move is unacceptable.

Our club is 95% FC and if members are deprived of competing for the same level of prestige as TR shooters then the NRAA are solely responsible for creating a division which, will ultimately see the possible demise of Queens shoots per se, and, the friendship and camaraderie that currently exists at all levels.
It has taken a lot of effort over the years, mainly by clubs and OPM's, to bring together all the disciplines and, to have all that undone by the controlling body who appear to have rolled over with not a shot being fired seems all rather pathetic of the NRAA. That second 'A' in NRAA stands for Australia, not GB.
How many members would the NRAA have if FC formed it's own organisation?
Dare I say that the NRAA would not have be enough to be viable?
Some one in officialdom needs to get a wake up call and realise that it is butts on mounds that keep the NRAA and State Associations viable.

[Barry Davies]

Ray,
The following is the notification we received from the VRA
Quote--
The NRAA has explained concerns regarding the use of the terms " Queens Badge " for the F Class competitions. Victoria will now fall into line with other State Associations and our F Class competitions at the State Championships and VRA Queens this year( 2015 ) will use the term Victorian F Class Championships. ( end quote )
We as members have not been told just what those concerns are - no explanation.
There was an attempt at some sort of an explanation by Bob Ped in a post elsewhere, but I am still trying to understand just what it means.
You'r correct--PATHETIC.

[DenisA]

Could the petition be worded with a call to action and a time frame. Outlining that if the decision is not reversed then all names on the petition will not be attending any Queens prize meeting as of 2016 onwards.

Empty threats never work and therefore it would take a commitment from all members of the F-class fraternity to act together to make a stand regardless of the importance placed on the situation by individuals. Maybe a majority vote should dictate what everyone does together. It may be very annoying for many but possibly essential for "the greater good" of our sport.

I guess this situation could be seen to run a little deeper than simply a decision to change the name of the Queens. Maybe this is F-class' opportunity to make a stand and show the governing bodies that we understand that our attending numbers (which are growing) are critical to their existence and that we can and will act together to bring equality in and enhance our sport in areas that we feel should be acknowledged. This could then help the prize pool debate and possibly the Voldemort issue (He who's name must not be mentioned).

[IanP]

My first reaction was to think, "unbelievable!" but then I remembered it is the NRAA we are dealing with on this matter.

There was never an equity in badge distribution for f-class based on attendance in some states, but that pales into insignificance next to not being eligible for a Queen's badge. I think one solution would be to drop the use of the word "Queen" from the badge and make them State Championship badges, then hopefully F-Class would be eligible for badges once again.

Who really thinks the Queen would give a stuff about F-Class winning these badges anyway. Its more about some ridiculous interpretation by a person perhaps not best qualified to make the call. Contact the Queen and see what she thinks of the matter!

Good pick up Alan and well worth hearing other shooters views on this subject!

Ian

[AlanF]

...I think one solution would be to drop the use of the word "Queen" from the badge and make them State Championship badges, then hopefully F-Class would be eligible for badges once again...

Well actually, that is the solution the NRAA came up with. For the reasons given (or lack of them) we don't think its good enough.

[IanP]

...I think one solution would be to drop the use of the word "Queen" from the badge and make them State Championship badges, then hopefully F-Class would be eligible for badges once again...

Well actually, that is the solution the NRAA came up with. For the reasons given (or lack of them) we don't think its good enough.

The Queen's representative is the Governor or federally, the Governor General, why not request the NRAA to seek clarification from the person best qualified to give it? At the very least the Governor could petition the Queen for her approval if thats what F-Class shooters want.

Ian

[Peter Hulett]

Whose idea was it to suggest a boycott of the National Queens? That person should be congratulated. The NRAA has no members apart from the S&Ts and any other boycotts only affect the State Associations or Clubs who are not responsible for this decision.

The NRAA runs the National Queens and they have been struggling to give it credibility since it was shifted from Canberra. To boycott the National Queens hits them in the only area where it will hurt.

[AlanF]

Boycotting shoots should be a last resort, particularly boycotting State and Territory Queens shoots. They have been pressured by the NRAA to "fall in line" (as stated on the VRA website). Boycotting these events would not only put the blame in the wrong place, but would also deprive a large number of F-Class shooters from competing. If there was to be a boycott, then the National Queens would be better directed and send a clearer message.

Congratulations accepted (humbly of course) .

But someone else must have voted for it....

[saum2]

Are you also suggesting a boycott of the National teams matches which is run just before the "Queens"
A pity to attend the teams event then walk away??? just curious.
Geoff