Something Needs to be Done

[bruce moulds]

brad,
can't speak for vic, but safca was set up to be an absolutely non confrontational, non agressive, conduit to the sara council.
the council made it clear to us as a group, that they would do anything within reason we wanted, as long as it was what the majority wanted.
our job is to do our best to establish what the majority wants, and pass that to sara, often requiring a bit of explaination.
understanding is a wonderful thing. our assn has established this in both directions.
the other thing our executive does well is promotion of the sport, and sponsorship. i sometimes suspect that in this area, we sometimes make sara a little uncomfortable.
last but not least, our assns closeness with sara has reduced the number of stupid claims by the fclass masses, because we have discovered a lot of the realities of how things have to work in the real world. it is apparret that there is still a lot to learn in this area.
hopefully raven will post here.
keep safe,
bruce moulds.

[IanP]

The Darwin Range has two portable sunshades that are towed to the required range after each weeks shoot. These have fold down sides that supply plenty of shade. the mounds are concrete as well. also the trailer that carts all the gear has a pull out shade area and a roof over it. Even with this it is still hot at times.

Regards
john

John, any chance of posting a picture of the portable sunshades? It seems a few like the idea of a large digital display behind the firing line to watch the scores progress with the ETs now in use. This will also require protection from direct sunlight and rain and make the concept of mobile sunshades/marquees even more important.

I'm sure a little comfort and technology will go a long way towards growing our sport. Our sport really does need a makeover and some new ways to attract both shooters and spectators and the basic need of having shelter for both would be a step in the right direction. A rifle range should provide some basic needs to prevent dehydration and exposure. Then of course there is the question of providing toilets. While we males can hang it out and urinate just about anywhere the fairer sex need toilets. Mobile toilets at rifle ranges, especially at the firing line are a rare sight indeed. People like some comfort with their sport and mobile shelters are a great idea!

At Lower Light the SARA rifle range used to require vehicles to be parked well away from the firing line with all equipment to be carried by whatever means available to the firing line to compete. This meant that shooters and spectators could not even use their cars to shelter in out of the sun or rain. How many ranges around Australia still require this of their membership? I bet there is still afew around! Thankfully a couple of years ago after much heated debate, vehicles were finally allowed to be driven behind the firing line for the State Queens competitions.

As long as we carry on not catering to our membership's basic needs we cant successfully progress. Before we consider new types of competition, we really need to get our house in order and in keeping with members needs for the 21st century. We really need to spend money on some basic infrastructure like mobile shades and toilets and the NRAA needs to come up with a basic requirement list for rifle ranges to meet before being able to run Open Prize Meetings. If we are to move forward and I believe we will, then we need to get the fundamentals sorted out and a big part of this is to build a safe and friendly environment to shoot in.

"If we build it they will come!" (quote from the appropriately named film, Field of Dreams)

Ian

[mike H]

Ian,
I have been to Dawin more than once, for Queens,probably because it is winter,or near enough, the shelters are not over the firing points,but behind for the spectators,suited me,but others have complained that it is too hot on the mound,something to do with the concrete mounds..There comes a time when we have to put up with the local conditions,or acknowledge we are just soft and want every thing to go our way. As for toilets, all the Queen`s shoots I have been to have porta-loos handy,this would not be so at weekend club shoots,but the alternative seems a trifle difficult. I Know I come from a different time,but if we try and pander to every request,we may as well give up now. To be honest,my opion only,a lot of the so called difficulties,are only excuses used by people to cover their lack of interest,or commitment.
Re the parking at Lower Light,the ones opposed to range parking meant well,but the consequences were not good.

As I see it, the major/larger ranges,may be able to do more,and probably should,the others could try to do better,but don`t throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Mike.

[OuttaAmmo]

The reason they do not use the shade for the queens in Darwin is simply because there is not enough to go around. We have 4 ET's and 2 shade structures which we use for club shoots. With the shooters on the mound and the ones getting ready beside them it is full.
The queens is held during the coldest time of year anyhow.

[flatlina]

What Casey said, I was refering to our normal club shoots, the ones where you are more likely to pick up new members. The queens etc have different needs.


Regards
john

[Craig McGowan]

Hello again all, Sorry for the slow response.

Firstly to answer some of the questions.

Alan to answer yours first. The average age so far is the 25 - 35 age bracket, but we are starting to see, (one or two each group) Father / Son pairings. Father mid to late 40's and son's late teens. This is another area which I believe needs to be looked at, and one which I think has potential for clubs to attract new members.

Barry, I have attached the feed back form for you. This has evolved over time, and always as everything, is a work in progress. This is one area where you are tying to get as much information from people as you can, but you also have to be aware that they don't want to be sitting down filling out a 50 question paper. Our experience has shown to keep it simple and short. (edit - Sorry Barry I brought it home from the club now I cannot find it, and the electronic version is not in our Dropbox. Give me a day to get it to you.)

Krakey - From out of our New Shooters Program we run, we would get 2% go one to be members that actively shoot.


If I could just say that you may look at the figure of 2% and think that you have to put in a lot of effort to get very little reward. But what you have to realise is the program we run is for primarily for people who have never held a firearm (98%). I am not familiar with other states, but in QLD there is a large problem with the Licensing Branch. We are seeing an average of 8 months in turn around from application to issuing. What I am seeing in our courses is people keen to start the process, and I will follow up thru emails, web links, contacts for safety courses, but it takes time. So am I worried about the take up rate? No not yet. If we where having this conversation in 12 months time and I was seeing the same number, well maybe I would begin to sit down with our club members and say ok we need to look at where disconnect is between the course and the next stage of becoming a member.

I have noticed reading the posts that a there is a concern for facilities and seasonal timings for our sport. My view is these should be secondary concerns that can be modified / built as membership increases. Other sports also have similar issues, i.e. Golf with weather, quality of the greens etc. Look at how you can get people in the door first. I see that there are a few F Class State Associations, which is a great idea, but now they need to be actively working on these ideas, and bringing the clubs along with them. Sports shooting has never really marketed itself, which is a shame really, because I can guarantee that every "New Shooter" who came to one of our courses at the Brisbane Rifle Club, has walked away with a complete new view of the sport and the people involved.

You have to start somewhere, and this is where we at the BRC have chosen to start. Is it right? Only time will tell.

Regards

Craig McGowan

[Barry Davies]

Great post Ian.
Gone are the days of "roughing it " on a rifle range and the sooner those who are left realize that the better.
Can remember a well known Vic chairman some years ago commenting on the then dust problem at Bendigo. Quote " good soldiers have to learn to put up with all conditions " Well we are not soldiers and we do not have to put up with unacceptable conditions ( other than weather )-- stupid statement.
But it still goes on--it's an attitude of take it or leave it,--most leave it.
We are judged by first appearances, and that includes facilities.
Sorry Mike I cannot agree with most of what you said--you are living in the past, as you said --a different time.
We scream out for new members, well pandering is part of getting them.
As far as difficulty in providing good facilities -- BS. Have a look around at ALL other sporting facilities, Plaques cover the outside walls telling all and sundry how marvelous our government is for providing the necessary funds to build those facilities. All you gotta do is ask. That's where the excuses come in Mike, club committees either don't have the knowhow or cannot be bothered.
Case in point --the old Bendigo RC clubhouse. Allowed to go to rack and ruin. The Bendigo forefathers would turn over if they could see it now.
Off my soapbox.
Barry

[bruce moulds]

only one problem.
who will volunteer to be the member in charge of erections.
and who will help this person with the erections.
and then the erections will need to be removed prior to the next range, and reerected at the next range.
with all the erections that will be needed, we might need a few tactical shooters after all.
keep safe,
bruce.

[Brad Y]

Or viagra. Sorry bruce- couldnt help myself. Its monday afterall.

[Stu]

I had a long and boring post planned and half written and then the obvious hit me...

After Reading most of the posts there appears to be a common theme - too many new and prospective members are made to feel unwelcome for a number of reasons.

The best and simplest thing that we can do is change our attitudes at club level.

Welcome new and prospective members, encourage them and keep the grumpy old men away from them. First impressions last.

It's not up to someone else or a consultant or head office to make broad sweeping changes to raise numbers. They can make whatever changes they like but if we don't change our attitudes things won't improve. We are the clubs and we own our future.

Once we get that part right we can look at other changes. 1 step at a time.

Stu.

[AlanF]

Thanks for getting the thread back on track Stu. In 10 days it has had 144 posts and 3300 viewings, one of the most popular topics in ozfclass.com's history. This shows the amount of concern there is about the current situation. We need to keep this on the boil, so that something actually comes of it.

Alan

[RAVEN]

Nailed it Stu

They can make whatever changes they like but if we don't change our attitudes things won't improve. We are the clubs and we own our future.

Once we get that part right we can look at other changes. 1 step at a time.

RB

[Norm]

Alan,
As part of the information gathering process I have placed a poll on the Aussie Long Range Shooters Forum.
I have asked the following question with the following answer options.

Do you participate in regular, formal target shooting competition of any kind?
* No never
* No but I would like too.
* Yes at least once per month
* Yes but less than once per month.

[AlanF]

Alan,
As part of the information gathering process I have placed a poll on the Aussie Long Range Shooters Forum.
I have asked the following question with the following answer options.

Do you participate in regular, formal target shooting competition of any kind?
* No never
* No but I would like too.
* Yes at least once per month
* Yes but less than once per month.

Thanks Norm. I know you get a lot of shooters whom we don't have access to so their responses will be of interest. Are you asking for comments with the poll?

Alan

[Norm]

Alan I expect a few comments to the poll as they can reply to the thread as well.

I intend to run a couple of further polls once this one has been going for a while. I think it is a good way to get info from people that are already interested in long range shooting but may or may not be formal target shooters.

Can you think of some questions that you would like me to put to these shooters in the form of a poll?