Hi Everyone
SSAA have informed me that all national championships should be held next year at the 2020 venue. Unfortunately, this can not happen for Canberra due to earth works being carried out at the range so the nationals championships for next year will be held in the following states:
* Centrefire Nationals held in WA - Please send Trevor Pearson a email at benchrestwa@iinet.net.au to let him know your intention of traveling to WA next year. At the end of this month the border will be open.
* Rimfire Nationals will be held in QLD with a venue to be finalised in the coming weeks.
* Benchrest Score Nationals will be held in Coffs Harbour (Replacing the lost nationals from 2020)
Any queries, please email me at benchrest@disciplines.ssaa.org.au
Regards,
Will Greer
Hi Everyone
All national competitions are qualifiers for a Australian team either (PRSC or WBC). I hope everyone takes the time to plan to support the clubs that hold these events and cross fingers that we return to normality next year and enjoy shooting again.
Regards
Will Greer
And with the new rule re only the last Nationals closest to a World Match that makes it even more important to attend and bring you AAA game to any Nationals.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Bill,
I am sure other delegates have their own view but here is mine.
The BR discipline rule is you need to attend all Nationals not just the one prior the SSAA National have indicated the selection will come from. This was passed at Springsure “unanimously” that all Nationals are qualifiers regardless of selection. Billo tried to get the one qualifier overturned (We will be trying again)
My understanding is as a discipline we are still enforcing this criteria.
So an example although CF is if you do not attend Western Australia 2021 & 2021 WBC is postponed til 2022, then even if you qualify in 2022 you cannot be considered for the team.
If that means there are enough qualifiers (Competitors) to send only one team then so be it.
Their are several reasons for this:
1. To ensure numbers at Nationals are maintained on non WBC years
2. To ensure the best (consistently) are being sent from BR Discipline
3. The only downfall is if a new shooter has an exceptional first Nationals should they be rewarded? Probably is my answer so something to ponder.
I personally like this approach as to represent Australia isn’t a right it is a reward for your hard work. It also makes sure that qualifiers are at all Ranges that hold Nationals across Australia.
Regards
Michael
Understandably, there will be occasions when some won't be able to attend but Nationals should be the pinnacle of our sport and should be supported as much as possible.
Michael and I often disagree but on this occasion I wholeheartedly agree with him. Well said Michael
Kim
That is much clearer i am happy as long as everyone knows and is clear in advance so again thanks for the further clarification.
Bill Collaros Australia
"Shoot to Thrill"
Hi Everyone
In relation to qualifiers for World teams, 2021 West Australian Nationals will be the qualifier for the the WBC to be held in South Africa in September 2021, the 2021 Rimfire Nationals to be held in QLD will be the Qualifier for the 2022 World Championships.
Regards
Will Greer
It is reasonable that the best and most consistent shooters are chosen to represent Australia. This shows commitment and ability and as Michael said, selection to represent Australia should be a reward for dedication and hard work.
However I believe this means of qualification disadvantages so many very good shooters who cannot afford to travel the big distances required to attend Nationals. Travel and accommodation in Australia is very expensive and will limit the selection to those who can afford the most. I am sure that many shooters are feeling the pinch put on by Covid and have committments to family and business which may create issues with attending Nationals every year.
Please everyone, give this consideration. Your input may result in a much fairer and advanced means of qualifying for everyone.
Team KAOS
Calm and Relentless
For those who may not be aware.....it is SSAA National through the National Board who decide how and when the International teams will be selected and in what manner.
Whether we agree with it or not is irrelevant and they hold all the cards. Can we get it changed? Maybe, but don't hold your breath.
With the postponement of the 2021 WBC in South Africa (to 2023), the Perth Nationals will NOT be a qualifier for anything, not even the PRSC as the next one of those is not due until 2022. You can thank the Chinese virus for all that.
Having said that, Perth always turn on a good event on a very challenging range, so keen benchresters should support it by attending.
Every sport I have been involved in over the years required a person to qualify and earn the right to compete in a national championship.
Almost all nationals in almost sports are represented by the best of each state and they compete as a team at nationals as well as individuals.
This allows the state representatives to potentially pool resources and work as group
to make attending more viable and possible.