FCWC 2017 in Canada - Nominations

[ecomeat]

Craig McGowan (7mm.com.au) and I have kicked this around a bit, and we think it's time the F Class "community" discussed it.
With the recent success of our Gold Medal winning WORLD CHAMPIONS, there is a buzz and some serious momentum with F Class right now that I believe our sport would be very foolish , not to capitalize on.

If "Expressions of Interest" were called for now....February 2014....... for the F Open and F/TR Teams for Canada in 2017, I genuinely believe that it could only possibly result in good things.
It could have a similar very positive effect like I believe the Rankings that Alan revived do. We are all human, and it's nice to see your own name on a list of your peers. I admit that I do, and I struggle to believe anyone who says that the rankings are irrelevant or meaningless, and don't accomplish anything. They keep us keen !
If Expressions of Interest were called for now, I wouldn't be surprised if 100 or more names came forward as potential Team Members for 2017. I am not suggesting that you shouldn't be able to be on the Team if you don't nominate now. But publish the List now, and harness the promotional power of the remarkable result that our Team members just pulled off at Raton.

Let shooters put their name down NOW, and watch them all travel further, train harder, share more, learn more, compete more etc etc and F Class participation rates will grow, grow and keep on growing. This is a once in a generation opportunity to capitalize on the Gold Medal success, and literally use it to grow the interest and participation in F Open and F/TR.
So how can we move this forward ? How could we do this ? Who actually picked the last Team ? How would we go about requesting a publicized opportunity for shooters to nominate for the 2017 FCWC ? Is it a direct approach to the NRAA ? Does it have to come through the State Associations ?
This is a unique opportunity to grow our sport, and I can't think of a single reason not to try to make it happen. Those who won the Gold have proven themselves to be extraordinary sportsmen and women, and all Team members are wonderful ambassadors for F Class. Let's use that power !
Where is that National F Class Association when you need it ?
What do you all think ? Am I barking up the wrong tree ? Or do any of you agree that this concept is worth pursuing ? Our hosts, the Canadians , are already calling for Nominations.............how could we do likewise ? Not for any political purpose, but 100% for the growth of our sport.
Tony Berry

[AlanF]

Tony,

As you're probably aware, the team nomination and selection process is managed by the NRAA. I presume they have a standard lead time for this, and certain protocols that they adhere to. My advice would be to write a request to John Fitzgerald, who besides being Chairman, holds the Competitions portfolio, respectfully asking what would be required to get the process started immediately. I understand the NRAA e-mail server is not operating so someone may know an e-mail address for the Executive Officer, anyone?

If preparations are being made early, and the FCWC Individuals are important, then be aware that Bisley style (probably in pairs) will be used. In my opinion, we will not be anywhere near as competitive in the Individuals in Canada, unless we get extensive practice using that style of shooting.

Great to see your enthusiasm. Maintain the rage!

Alan

[bruce moulds]

tony,
there was certaimly a lot of positive energy given to the sport prior to raton.
and it never hurts to start early, as long as peaking out is not an issue.
the general std of shooting improved, due to expectations and loads etc.
Alan's point re bisley is also a good one.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Cameron Mc]

I spoke with Catherine Berry from the NRAA at the Crows Nest shoot on the weekend.
Catherine had some very positive comments to make about the outcome of last year's FCWC. It seems the NRAA have taken a lot on board as a result of the team effort and how it was organised etc etc.
Yes there are lessons to be learnt but the hard yards have paid off for future teams. Rest assured we as F Class are not being taken lightly as a membership. The call for various positions will be forthcoming I was told. Be patient.
Ill informed comments about the NRAA will not help our cause. Constructive discussion is what we need. New shooters to this sport need to understand the role of the NRAA, State Associations and shooting disciplines.
We need to form our own traditions and this can be achieved with the help of our governing bodies. It seems the NRAA have already discussed this which may surprise some.
I would say to anyone wanting to go to the next FCWC, keep shooting and learning. Promote our sport.
The bar will continue to rise. Like Alan said "maintain the rage"

Cheers
Cam

[ecomeat]

Hopefully a few more shooters will comment as well over the next few days. It's pointless me, or anyone else for that matter, making any approach to the NRAA if the majority,or at least a decent number of the forum contributors don't/won't actually support the concept that I raised of starting an "Expressions of Interest" list ASAP for Canada, that can help us to generate interest in (1) the sport.......and (2) competing in Canada.

Wouldn't it literally be an ideal situation to have 100 or more people throw their hat into the ring, all hoping to be selected in the Australian Team ?
Nominated selection events around Australia (obviously Queens would/could figure prominently as selection events) would be guaranteed a huge increase in nominations, compared to normal numbers.
The NRAA Queens could be given extra status for Selection (sorry for the non Queenslanders who have a long trip to get to Belmont !! ) making it a very well supported, and thence truly a National title of great significance.

But the concept is all hot air if F Class shooters don't want to see it happen, or just couldn't be bothered . Don't be shy folks......add your comments .

[AlanF]

Tony,

Do you mean an official expressions of interest list maintained by the NRAA, or an unofficial one based on ozfclass forum members? You can always start a thread, probably in the Events forum specifically asking who is seriously considering trying out for 2017. That in itself would start the ball rolling and get more people thinking about it, which can only be a good thing for F-Class.

Alan

[DaveMc]

Hi Tony,
Yes this enthusiasm is something to be admired - keep it up.

I have a few things to suggest;

Firstly, The NRAA must name a Captain (and probably manager etc) and work with them to develop a team trial and selection process. One of the recommendations coming back from Raton was that this be done as early as possible. It was a rush last time but not due to the NRAA - we have struggled (and failed) in the past to put a team together and it was only through Rod and Lindas drive and persistence that we got there for this one. First step is we need more people like them - I would highly recommend you put your hand up for one of these positions Tony. You have a lot of the right skills, enthusiasm and temperament for the job.

Secondly, A lot of us came back from Raton a bit burnt out. We worked very hard and reached the pinnacle of the sport but I doubt too many would like to line up again right now for 3.5 years of training and tryouts and I would also politely suggest it would be a good thing to try and carry some of last years experience forward.

Thirdly, Tryouts 3 years out mean very little as to who will be performing on the day (and also who will still have the enthusiasm) so I think what we really need is a development program rather than 3 years of trials. This development program should include (but not be limited to) raising a whole new generation of coaches. Encouraging F class team shooting around the states and districts, Working on "team players" (I would highly recommend Nancy Tompkins book as a great start but also talking to and gain some knowledge from the great TR team captains, shooters and experience out there).And finally gear development with some recommendations on how to progress towards peak performance at the time (not now).

Dave

[ecomeat]

Dave,
Thank you for the positive comments. I am flattered, but unfortunately far to inexperienced, and politically incorrect.
But what I am really talking about is "leveraging off the incredible team result at Raton, to increase participation rates" in F Class shooting.
Trying to work out how to use your success to get more new shooters turning up, and also to get a lot more current shooters to travel to more OPMs and where possible, an interstate Queens as well as their own. Literally getting them to take it a little more seriously.
As a newbie......I am now 59 y.o. but had never been on a rifle range 30 months ago....I can tell you that it is quite intimidating stepping up from your local Club shoots to try OPMs. And it's bloody HUGELY intimidating to turn up at your first Queens.
You old hands might scoff at it, but I can guarantee you that a LOT of those shooters who only shoot locally, and tell you that they simply don't want to aim any higher, are telling you big porkies. Most are actually scared to death of coming last and embarrassing themselves. I certainly was.
If a Development Programme could coerce many of them into at least a local or regional "Try Out" at teams shooting, many would be hooked on the spot and would undoubtedly aim higher.
Absolutely agree with you that we need a Development Programme going forward, and that 3 years of serious "TryOuts" would accomplish very little besides burn out or diminished enthusiasm.
I know enough of you well enough to know that the individuals commitment for FCWC 2013 was quite extraordinary in every way....financially, time, effort, focus. You all basically put the rest of your lives on hold for 18-24 months.
The reality of returning back to the normal lifestyles in Australia after total dedication, training sessions, etc leading up to Raton would have required counseling for some !

WIND COACHES & TEAM SHOOTING
I am personally a pathetic wind reader, and at this stage of my learning curve , would probably faint if someone ordered me to try to coach another shooter. Seriously !!
I have read every bloody book ever printed on the subject of "Wind", but still struggle with my wind calls every time I shoot. I am in absolute awe of those of you who CAN coach, and do it well. And at Raton you obviously did it better than anyone else in the world.
In his interview with Craig McGowan on 7mm.com.au the new US F Class Captain is totally frank about it. Australia won the Gold in 2013 because we had the best wind coaches in the world (as well as world class shooters of course........but it was in the Coaching where we really held the big advantage)

So how do we harness and utilize the skills that were honed to such extraordinary excellence over the years leading up to FCWC 2013 to increase participation rates, skills and enthusiasm for F Class all over Australia ?

What formats might work to get a Development Programme working to the benefit of our sport ? Is it starting Teams shooting at District Rifle Association level ?
I just know from a few other sports that I have been involved in, that having a named and published "Development Squad" is virtually GUARANTEED to get a far greater commitment from those actually on that list.
Once they are on it, most are extremely keen to see that they STAY on it. In our sport that would mean more committed shooters, prepared to take the next step , and undoubtedly improve their shooting skills along the way. The bigger the initial List, the greater the number to work with.

I think the entire 2013 Team should approach the NRAA with a plan for a national F Class Development Programme targeting Canada in 2017

[AlanF]

Tony,

I like the Development Squad approach. One of the key things though is that it needs to be tightly managed from a single authority. Dates of sessions need to be set well in advance (a year or more) with locations and dates set to get maximum benefit from minimum travel. The program for each session needs to be planned in detail in advance, to avoid wasting valuable time while the squad is together. I make these points because a big proportion of F/TR and F-Open shooters have work commitments and giving them plenty of notice and some certainty about what is happening will I'm sure lead to greater participation.

Alan

[RAVEN]

Tony I also admire your enthusiasm
And also agree that we should be riding the wave of the Aus F-Team success

The most important thing from my experience was that Linda Shehan did a great job of leading the team forward.

She was very good at managing issues that were put in front of her efficiently.

Linda has great ability with regard to selecting the right people that will come together as a team.
And generally the team members were totally committed to her.

I would suggest that people considering being part of this future process need to do some study on what it takes to be a team member and what level of commitment is required.
Lanny Bassham's audio CD's and books are also a good start this will give you some good physiological tools that will help you in every part of you sport

Winning at local OPM & Queens is only a very small part of the overall requirement IMO

F-Class need to if not already start being part of team shooting competitions at club level and DRA level local core groups should be teaching their fellow club members about team shooting and how to manage equipment to become competitive.

SA have been inviting juniors to some of our training days the information that they leave with take some ppl year to learn these young ppl are the teams of the future.
We are also embarking on a wind coaching clinics this will help to unearth undiscovered talent.

One of the key things though is that it needs to be tightly managed from a single authority

Alan that is spot on let’s hope it’s not wishful thinking

[ecomeat]

I swear that this is a true story.
Like many others, two years ago I had never even heard of Team shooting, let alone seen it, or been "coached".
I put my name in to participate in an annual (and at the time, totally disorganized) City Vs Country Teams event at Belmont less than two years ago. No one really knew if F Open were counted or not, but I was there to enjoy it.
Anyway, I was told to get down and shoot. An older TR guy came over after a few minutes and sat down on a stool right beside me. He looked down at my gear, sneered at the March scope, left hand action and front rest.....then said "ahhh you fu**in scopies are all the same...can't teach you a thing"
And with that he got up and left !
So I just rolled on and fired my 10 scoring shots.
When Jenni Hausler and Rod Davies invited me to come along as a guest and participate in one of the FCWC training sessions at Belmont last year, that was the very first time that I had ever seen "coaching" done, and was tickled pink to actually have Roderick coach me for a short session.
There could easily be a lot of new shooters out there with similar stories

[RAVEN]

Tony it’s the TR group that should be passing on all their team shooting knowledge
Unfortunately they are a very diverse bunch so seek out those that can help
Something about Eagles and Turkeys I think the saying goes.

Another true story I now a well know shooter who was part of a successful FO team in the past who said that was the best team he has ever been a part of.
And it had nothing to do with winning.

RB

[aaronraad]

Wouldn't it literally be an ideal situation to have 100 or more people throw their hat into the ring, all hoping to be selected in the Australian Team ?

It would be ideal for the NRAA and the sport, but the backlash could see shooters walking away from the sport if not handled carefully. The resources and sacrifices for all parties involved over a 3 year period are not insignificant, especially considering it's for a single event over a couple of days. Shooters would be nominating for so much more than just an opportunity to join an Australian Team.

What are the performance expectations?
What are the costs involved?
How much training am I expected to do?
How much fund raising will I have to do?
If I make the squad, can I still lose my position and if so why?
How many Swiss Multivitamin ads do I have to do?

What would be ideal, is having a permanent Australian Team(s) that can train and compete together on a more regular basis, but they'd have to change their name...the Westpac Australian F-Class Team?

[RAVEN]

Don't you mean Australian F-Class Team sponsored by VISA

[bruce moulds]

perhaps Viagra could be approached for sponsorship.
if the team were to be successful again, it would add a certain thing to their reputation.
keep safe,
bruce.