The Newcastle SSAA range is closed until further notice.
The next committee meeting is in 4 weeks and we will review the situation again then.
Please stay safe.
Kim Cosstick
Range Captain
Please Help out!
The Voice of Australia's Benchrest Shooters
@Sutherland Smallbore Club
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Any decision or thoughts re the JUNE NSW IRB, would like to know whether to keep accommodation at this stage or not ?
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
I think you should ask Scomo.
At this stage I have no idea but I really hope it's a goer .
Kim
Of some sort of restart soon...i still have my June Long Weekend Accommodation booked just in case...
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
If 13 to 26 footy players are permitted (as of Monday) to train and as of the 28th play games where sweat, spittle, blood and other bodily products can be exchanged, surely it is time that non-contact sports, including shooting, were also green-lighted.
It really irks me that because V'landys is a gambling advocate he has so much sway with governments and that Scotty from Marketing simply sees this as an opportunity to look like he is a good guy.
.
Couldn't agree more regards the NRL & there is no reason our sport shouldn't be given the green light with social distancing procedures in place.
Couldn't agree less with your remark about ScoMo, I think he has done a great job & your comment is way off the mark. Let's shoot & keep political ideology out of it.
Regards George
If footy players can grapple with each other and exchange bodily fluids for 80 minutes, then go home to their loved ones, why on earth should there be any need for social distancing on a range, or a tennis court or bowling green etc?
I understand the need for separation but governments caving to gambling and entertainment interests means that tacit approval is given for all sports to recommence.
Let's get out there!!!!
(Actually I am of the opinion that we should be retaining the restrictions for a while yet and that includes elite sports.)
Guys
When they drop restriction things will be different. They have already said that until there is a vaccine social distancing will stay in place. So for BR I think we’ll be looking at only using every 2nd bench and at matches we get close to each other during bench rotation, looking at scores, presentations etc. So procedures will been to be in place to keep people apart.
Now the SSAA might come out with some guidelines or they could leave it up to the branches but things will not be the same.
I think the only type of rimfire BR match that would be 100% kosher under social distancing is electronic targets, only use every 2nd bench, only post results online and no presentation just post the medals to the winners.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
You're probably right Peter but who has electronic targets? We don't in NQ. The Chinese have really f..ked up our way of life & whatever the future holds for our sport it will not make it as enjoyable as it was. The future doesn't look good & I doubt the more moderate wing of the government actually gives a rats arse about our sport.
Regards George
George
SSAA doesn’t have any ranges with electronic targets, the TRA has ranges in most capital city’s.
The IRB nationals was going to be Canberra this year and with plenty of benches and lots of space behind the firing line it’s maybe the best range we have for running IRB nationals and fit in with personal distancing. We will be able to move forward but for which ranges we can use for matches it will depend on how much space is behind the firing line at ranges and there might need to be some changes in the rule book to help with something’s like bench rotation and target changes.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
To my knowledge the ACT is doing earthworks and the IRB nationals was moved to Coffs.
.???????? If there is more info that someone has could you please share it.
My crystal ball is still broken..
Kim
How it's all managed, this months SSAA Mag says all State and National Matches are postponed till further notice. What will be interesting to see is how SSAA and TRA manage qualifications for future Internationals as it may be that last years qualifiers will be irelevant by the time we get back around to International Events.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Bill
Looks like flights to NZ will start again sometime this year without quarantine so Pacific Regional will be back on and IRB nationals will continue to be qualifying match for a Oz team.
Nobody knows how things will end up, but at this point as far as teams going to Europe the next few years, I’d say dream on. Anyone arriving into Oz is put into a hotel for 2 weeks quarantine and the government pays for the hotel and as long as the virus is floating around in other countries the 2 week quarantine will need to stay in place. When people do start travelling overseas I can see the government saying the traveler will pay for the quarantine. The other thing is guns, people are getting depressed in quarantine so I can’t see them letting people sit alone in a hotel room with a gun, so a few things to workout and that’s only some of the issues on this end.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
I would have to agree with Peter in regard to any International events ,
Who in their right mind would even consider leaving the safest country in the world risk being stranded and possibly contracting the virus . A no brainer and a long way off .
So that leaves all to support our own local clubs and events and shoot right here at home.
I would like to think each range is already thinking about how they can reopen for the general shooters.
As we all no to well SSAA don’t see competition shooting as a priority or even necessary for their association to continue into the future.
I think very shortly questions will need to be asked of ranges as to what protocols etc are going to be put in place so as to cater for possible club shoots and comps.
I think it would be foolish to think they would even be considering comp shooters in their
Current plans to reopen ranges , so it’s going to be up to us to ask the questions and push for answers.
I know as soon as silverdale re opens I will be all over Sydney Branch pushing for us to hold club shoots there and work with then to make it happen safely and within agreed guidelines.
Don't take this as gospel but I think you can cancel your June accommodation..
I will confirm as soon as I can..
Kim
Sadly i think that will be the case but will wait till Sco Mo makes his latest exit and back to normal strategy announcement this Friday.
I think i have missed shooting more this time than when i retired for 2 years, can't wait to get back to it, however understand there will be new rules and measures for a while.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Interesting to read all your thoughts and concerns.
Around here, shooters are too quiet to be true. Nobody talks about, seems all forgot shooting...
We have started to "deconfine" and regarding sports, football, of course, 1st league will start on july, but all other leagues are cancelled. You can imagine the mess...
Government came out with a high level sporters directive, allowing them to start practicing under special measures. We have several shooters under the umbrella, but funny enough, the ranges are still closed, so... and BR will sucombe to ISSF in terms of priority.
As already said, shooting looks like their last concern.
My fear is, like in a good Portuguese way, when things are "normal" again, we all rush to finalize nationals, selections, you named it, instead of starting practicing, whipping off 2020, and correctly prepare 2021.
Thanks
PedroS
Good to see all be it with some rules and restrictions some ranges are starting to re open....
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Bill do you know what they will be
ROCK1
Chris
It’s not very clear, the email say you need to make a booking and only Sydney branch members, you only get one session per day, but it doesn’t say how long a session is and that is all they say about restrictions.
I’ll wait until Cecil Park is open and just do my normal Wednesday morning thing, most times I have the range to myself and I like it that way.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
thank you
ROCK1
Not sure mate it says members need to book and you are allowed 1 session, i did not call as i do not shoot at either range, Waiting for Sutherland Smallbore to re-open or Wed mornings at SISC sound like fun
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Good to see one of the main benchrest clubs in Oz setting out a safe and proper plan to re commence in a few weeks, hopefully others follow their lead.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Guys
I see Cecil Park opens next Saturday and it’s run by the state government, so other ranges should be opening soon too.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
Sounds good Peter, difference there is they have lots of ranges with (10) per range = lots of people. If I was closer I’d come down.To hell with it, I might just come down anyway.
Kim
But I think only club members can shoot at their own range NO visitors Could be wrong
ROCK1
we did open a while back with lots of restrictions and comp shooters with limited numbers 10 to be exact worked well now we can have a few more this has changed no comps but any S S A A memeber licenced and right formes pre filed out correct range fees E C T started as of today seems to have worked if we get over then they must weight in vehicles and be called forward in turn its working and people are back to having a shot it’s only been two months but feels like 2 years since a shot went down range was so glad to get out for a shot clear the mined and go home so satisfied was great cheers to all those volunteers making this happen all over the state
Wally
Wombat
Are you saying only SSAA members may shoot on SSAA ranges
Thanks
Chris
ROCK1
Dose any of you guys know Thanks
ROCK1
Chris
It’s always been the case at SSAA ranges you need to be a member.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
Mate Sorry at no stage did i say it was for SSAA members only I may have worded that a bit wrong I prob should have sead licensed shooters as at moment form 33 not allowed the opening info was and still is on face book our web thing took a dive but will be up again soon and all info on there as well as the formes you need to have pre filled out E C T does this clear it up some for you
Wally
Wombat
The reason I asked is a lot of clubs have no ranges of their own
and shoot at the ssaa ranges
ROCK1
Kim
They say the range opens on Saturday but no details about restrictions. It seems there was going to be some new state government guidelines coming out this week and that’s how things would be run. But with the protest march any relaxing of restrictions could get pushed back a couple of weeks, we’ll find out soon.
Peter
RBA HoF #1 (2007)
With all these protests happening that totally ignore any state restrictions why are we still waiting to have ranges open completely? The looney protesters are allowed to flout distancing in their thousands & get away with it so why are the rest of us being restricted by distancing any longer. It's becoming a farce & I've had a gut full of not being able to shoot regularly for so long. It's about time everything was opened up.
Regards George
ROCK1 when Newcastle opens again there will be number restrictions in place put there by the government. I think if nonmembers were shooting and members couldn’t get a shot there would be a revolt, and rightly so.
Peter. Nonmembers can shoot at Newcastle. But to shoot in a SSAA registered match you must be a SSAA member
Kim
This virus can brake out again at any time
May be its time to start thinking about portable or fix screens between the benches IT would keep a bit of this cold winter wind off the shooters
The screens would allow left and right hand shooters to use adjacent benches
With screens we may not be face with this dilemma again JUST thinking Guys
ROCK1
The gun clubs may be losing a lot o money over this virus
ROCK1
Hi all i just call to check, they are unlikely to open tomorrow even though Facebook page said they would. They are still organising themselves and procedures so i am afraid we have another week of no shooting in Sydney for Rimfire Benchrest
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Just announced
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
I note Hornets in Brisbane start back today, good luck to them. Also looks like some other Sydney ranges may start back next week, check with your clubs it's time.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
I haven’t heard anything changing at silverdale yet.
I think the range management may be enjoying the police state policy they are running at the moment .
As long as the stupid 4 square metre rule is required I can’t see any club shoots returning there in the near future or until all restrictions are lifted right across NSW .
I like the screen idea Chris mentioned . Maybe the cashed up Sydney branch should consider that option ,the money is supposed to be put back the the ranges and its members
They have been promising to create a new range for more than 5 years.
BB Administrator
Exactly ,and where is all that money being spent on certainly haven’t been returning it to the shooters .
I think goes to all the admin and all the legal eagles Advising Ssaa on government legislators and regulations. defiantly not seeing it at the ranges .
Just check out the road at silverdale .
Forget the politics be glad we r able to shoot again from next week and find a club and range that is welcoming...just a thought
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
I do not think we will ever forget the politics that buggers us.
This virus can come back at any time that is for sure.
We need to get them screens up now and get health department approval if possible. Think about it GUYS
Chris
ROCK1
SISC back June 23 and Sutherland back this Sunday for members, i plan to be there rain, hail or shine...
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"