Nicky T
Well-known member
Statistically speaking, at least 99.9% of shooters will never have the opportunity to represent their Country at their chosen clay shooting discipline. Some are not inclined to make the necessary commitments to improve to the required standard, whilst others are self-defined social shooters content with enjoying the proverbial otters and embracing the lighter side of shooting. The remaining percentile are of mixed ability, determination and commitment and aspire to becoming the best possible shot that they can be. However they are by and large also realistic in that they know only a fraction of the shooting community ever pass the selection process and make the national team.
Understandably the current selection processes determine which shooters have consistently performed to the highest standard over the designated number of selection shoots, leaving the majority to contend for class wins and positions. I wonder how the attendance figures and class dynamics would change if there also existed a selection process to determine a national team for each of the classes as well as a main national team? Selection shoots could be held within the six month window between classification periods leaving an extended period in which International competitions could be staged. Shooters of all classes could compete not just against the best but also against their peers and we could be faced with the prospect of fielding multiple teams (to compete like against like) when attending World and European Championships.
Aside from the obvious recognition that shooters making these teams would gain, the long term benefits are alluring as a greater number of shooters would be subjected to international competition and everything that it entails. Whilst some would undoubtedly find the going difficult, others would relish the prospect and want to continue climbing the proverbial ladder on both a domestic and foreign stage and this could only serve to add longevity to our competitive shooting community.
Hopefully this will provoke some discussion about the feasibility of such a scheme being drafted and one day adopted. All too often shooters seem quick to bemoan every facet of the sport that does not meet their expectations. Maybe it is time to be proactive and make the changes happen that the sport needs to safeguard its future and consequently our future enjoyment!
Understandably the current selection processes determine which shooters have consistently performed to the highest standard over the designated number of selection shoots, leaving the majority to contend for class wins and positions. I wonder how the attendance figures and class dynamics would change if there also existed a selection process to determine a national team for each of the classes as well as a main national team? Selection shoots could be held within the six month window between classification periods leaving an extended period in which International competitions could be staged. Shooters of all classes could compete not just against the best but also against their peers and we could be faced with the prospect of fielding multiple teams (to compete like against like) when attending World and European Championships.
Aside from the obvious recognition that shooters making these teams would gain, the long term benefits are alluring as a greater number of shooters would be subjected to international competition and everything that it entails. Whilst some would undoubtedly find the going difficult, others would relish the prospect and want to continue climbing the proverbial ladder on both a domestic and foreign stage and this could only serve to add longevity to our competitive shooting community.
Hopefully this will provoke some discussion about the feasibility of such a scheme being drafted and one day adopted. All too often shooters seem quick to bemoan every facet of the sport that does not meet their expectations. Maybe it is time to be proactive and make the changes happen that the sport needs to safeguard its future and consequently our future enjoyment!
