F-Class and BCRA/DCRA futures?

S

SteveB

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Just a question!

Is there any real reason for F-Class to stay associated with the traditional BCRA/DCRA format and groups? F-Class is the future for new shooters and is enjoying a radical growth as compared to the traditional target shooting format which is dying out. In BC there are very, very few new TR shooters (only 2 or 3 I can think of) while F-Class is growing almost explosively. I have no issue with the traditional T-R shooting but there does seem to be a reluctance on the part of the old guard to embrace the future style of long range target shooting. So I ask, is there any reason for both the disaplines to stay under the same roof?
 
SteveB said:
Just a question!

Is there any real reason for F-Class to stay associated with the traditional BCRA/DCRA format and groups? ...... So I ask, is there any reason for both the disaplines to stay under the same roof?
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access to Vokes, and by extension, Connaught. That's it.
 
Well, I can think of at least 2 dozen BC TR shooters, but...

This very question is one that I have contemplated a great deal. Essentially, the two big reasons to stay affiliated with the BCRA and DCRA are a) the current agreements that permit us to use DND ranges under the aegis of these organizations. The DND has not been particularly good with granting civilian access to their ranges (In BC Vokes and Nanaimo are used for BCRA shoots). and b) the fact that currently, the DCRA is the offical sanctioning body with regards to particpation in ICFRA matches.

The latter is a non-issue. If F-Class were to become its own separate organization, they would "sanction" Canada's offical teams.

The former is more problematic, but at least provincially-speaking, we have two private ranges that would almost negate the need to use DND ranges, however they are distance-limited.

We have proven that we are happier, and have better attendance at matches that are F-Only. I think this is a fairly universal sentiment in both disciplines. At the Provincials, it was stated both openly and under breath, that the TR shooters don't like having F-Class at "their" matches, and it sticks in the craw of many that the "Chair" is used to haul around an F-Class shooter.

The F vs. TR thing is not just a BCRA DCRA problem. It is an ongoing feud within clubs and PRA's that own their own ranges too. I think the answer lies in just holding separate matches.

The two will not likely ever separate. Unfortunately, our destinies are too closely tied to ICFRA.

Having said that, there is no reason why F-Class could not take over the PRA's and the DCRA if they were prepared to put in the work. All it takes is showing up to vote.
 
You great BCRA F-class folks should stick with the DCRA, you are stronger together and have access to the ranges and events! That alone is worth so much! It's always good to have a progression from the provincial level to the the National level and ICFRA. That's a good thing.

Obtunded is correct... join the executive or council. Volunteer for your discipline and help out. All the organizations need your input. Here's your opportunity to grow the F-Class matches! :D

Cheers,
Barney
 
The competition shooting community in Canada is small enough already without additional splintering or divisions.

For example, don't forget that Service Rifle also falls under the DCRA umbrella and is also a fast-growing discipline again... did you think F-class was the only forgotten child??

In my opinion, having three separate organizations for three styles of fullbore shooting is not a good idea when there are barely enough people volunteering their time and passion at one organization.

Yes, there are differences in attitude and acceptance within our ranks; that's normal for any group of people. Attitudes can change and the people at the top can change too; it's a lot easier to effect that change from the inside, rather than the outside.
 
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AH, yes that is an entirely valid point. We also have a huge Tac Rifle following in BC under the BCRA banner.

As I said, we need to be far more assertive in simply holding our own matches - as Service and Tac rifle already do. The executive levels of these organizations need more balance and I think restructuring towards not only a more equitable level of representation, but towards a more fiscally sustainable model would help.

Our overwhelming problem is lack of ownership of the facilities needed. We must accept the status quo because we have never gotten together and pledged to purchase and build our own shooting centers of excellence. 6 targets is fine for a club match, but will never be suitable for a national or international level competition.
 
Obtunded said:
Our overwhelming problem is lack of ownership of the facilities needed. We must accept the status quo because we have never gotten together and pledged to purchase and build our own shooting centers of excellence.
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I think this is the core issue. There's a crying need for a dedicated long range (900m at least) facility, more or less centrally located in BC (and probably every other province as well). Short of winning the 6/49, how can we make this happen? I'm not rich by any stretch, but would be willing to contribute toward such a venture.
This may deserve it's own thread.
 
To throw

another thing into the pot there was the mention of F-Class and TR being the FASTEST growing. That may be so.

I just cannot see why 100/200 BR is not? There are more ranges capable of holding short range matches than the longer for the above mentioned. Almost everywhere one can find a range capable of out to 200 yards. Where are the F-Class matches held. From what I gather Military controlled ranges?????????? I would rather NOT have to be controlled as to when and where I could shoot.

EVERYONE NEEDS TO SELL there F-class rifles and COME OVER to the DARK SIDE or 100/200 Benchrest. Now talk about lots going on at a match and still trying to keep them SMALL.

Again JMO

CBY
 
Ian just ignore Calvin, all those solvents those BR guys sniff rubbings the rifling out of thier bores between shots has gotten to him.LOL While he's right we still have access to DND and I'm really enjoying it and will put up with the hassle.
Calvin, will add to the speaker system you found for SGFA and install it when i put in the additional camera's.See you in the spring.
 
cycbb486 said:
another thing into the pot there was the mention of F-Class and TR being the FASTEST growing. That may be so.

I just cannot see why 100/200 BR is not? There are more ranges capable of holding short range matches than the longer for the above mentioned.

CBY
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Because one cannot go to their local sporting goods store and buy a rifle and the equipment needed to "get started" in BR as they can in F-Class.

Any of the HB factory rifles (Rem, Sav, Tikka) or Factory built target rifles (Sav Palma, F-Class, etc...) can be easily purchased along with a rear bag and a bipod along with some Federal Match Ammo on a Friday and the person can show up and shoot a match on Saturday. Other than a Tac-Rifle match, I can't think of any other long range shooting sports that can say the same.
 
stevebc said:
Short of winning the 6/49, how can we make this happen? I'm not rich by any stretch, but would be willing to contribute toward such a venture.
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Apply to your province for grant money from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd/
 
You would think that if you can get big companies spending hundreds of millions for ice arena, "Staples Centre", "Rogers Arena" "Interior Savings Centre" etc. you could get one of the big sporting good companies companies to kick in 2 million to purchase and develop the "Cabellas Shooting Sports Center" or the "Wholesale Sports Target Sports Center" with facilites for Shotgun, Fullbore and Pistol shooting in which you could hold regional and natinal matches. Heck, the DCRA rakes in a quarter million dollars from one match alone.
 
Staples Center, Rogers, etc..... do not pay to build the facility, somebody else puts up the money to build and the big companies pay to have their name on it.

A long range facility would have to built by private or investor money and then sell the idea to the big companies to lease their name to it for a fee.

Arena's can get away with charging huge amounts for it since they draw thousands of people into the facility for a given event. Get thousands to come and watch a shooting event and then watch the money fly in.
 
That is why

CyaN1de said:
Staples Center, Rogers, etc..... do not pay to build the facility, somebody else puts up the money to build and the big companies pay to have their name on it.

A long range facility would have to built by private or investor money and then sell the idea to the big companies to lease their name to it for a fee.

Arena's can get away with charging huge amounts for it since they draw thousands of people into the facility for a given event. Get thousands to come and watch a shooting event and then watch the money fly in.
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100/200 benchrest RULES. Ranges EVERYWHERE. Just need some concrete tables with a roof over them and shoot in any weather...................:HR::HR::HR:
 
AbbeyHill said:
The competition shooting community in Canada is small enough already without additional splintering or divisions.

For example, don't forget that Service Rifle also falls under the DCRA umbrella and is also a fast-growing discipline again... did you think F-class was the only forgotten child??

In my opinion, having three separate organizations for three styles of fullbore shooting is not a good idea when there are barely enough people volunteering their time and passion at one organization.

Yes, there are differences in attitude and acceptance within our ranks; that's normal for any group of people. Attitudes can change and the people at the top can change too; it's a lot easier to effect that change from the inside, rather than the outside.
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X2 well said Abbeyhill
 
at least the SR folks get chaired at Connaught...
Sorry, had to grumble a bit.

The 15-20 F'ers who show up at CFRC's or the 45-ish at PGW's wonderfull event cannot hope to run our own organization right now. Not that we should give up the hope- but how often have you heard of a schism that went well? All diciplines need to work on getting private ranges established so that we control our own schedule and events, all over the country. Once that happens, more folks get exposed to the various diciplines,and the sport grows.
 
mpwolf said:
at least the SR folks get chaired at Connaught...
Sorry, had to grumble a bit.

The 15-20 F'ers who show up at CFRC's or the 45-ish at PGW's wonderfull event cannot hope to run our own organization right now. Not that we should give up the hope- but how often have you heard of a schism that went well? All diciplines need to work on getting private ranges established so that we control our own schedule and events, all over the country. Once that happens, more folks get exposed to the various diciplines,and the sport grows.
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F'ers get chaired at the ORA. :D

I do agree that more ranges = more exposure to ALL the disciplines = the sport grows. Now that's a win-win situation.
 
mpwolf said:
at least the SR folks get chaired at Connaught...
Sorry, had to grumble a bit.

The 15-20 F'ers who show up at CFRC's or the 45-ish at PGW's wonderfull event cannot hope to run our own organization right now. Not that we should give up the hope- but how often have you heard of a schism that went well? All diciplines need to work on getting private ranges established so that we control our own schedule and events, all over the country. Once that happens, more folks get exposed to the various diciplines,and the sport grows.
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I think the CFRC is a poor judge of true numbers; I have bitterly complained for years that it is way too expensive and way too long. I know these combinations have made it all but impossible for the BC shooters. We send 1 or 2 of those with the means and the time.

In BC Alone, we have almost 70 active F-Class shooters. At our club, we have but a single TR shooter. We never have issues selling out our club matches. Not all of these shooters are willing to spend the money needed for a 4-day Provincial shoot, so there is a lesson in marketing and consumer demand that needs to be heeded.

You can price it and build it to be a sport of kings, or you can keep it reasonable and achievable for more people. The latter is the secret for building numbers, and that starts at the club levels. Weekly fun leagues and intro days and clinics. Build it and they will come
 
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