shooting

 

TARGET SHOOTING WITH THE ARMIDALE SCHOOL RIFLE CLUB

General

1. Target Rifle Shooting is a precise and technical sport.  The sport is of benefit to participants as it requires the shooter to maintain a calm and self-controlled demeanour, in addition to a good technical knowledge of the rifle and its sight adjustments, weather conditions, and ammunition fired.  The promotion of close teamwork is also a characteristic of the sport at TAS, as the boys not only compete as individuals at events, but also as teams at prize meetings and the AAGPS Shooting Premiership.

2. The TAS Rifle Club has a history dating back to establishment of the school in the 1890s.  In fact it is the oldest sport at TAS, producing many top class shooters, that have gone on to compete at national and international level.

3. At TAS, shooting is offered to middle school boys as small bore (.22 Cal) shooting, conducted at the TAS Meadowfield Small bore Range.  For older boys, and interested middle school boys, full bore (.223 & .308 Cal) shooting is offered.  Practice is conducted at the Wollomombi Rifle Range and competition shooting staged at club ranges in northern NSW, southern Queensland, and at the AAGPS shooting premiership at Hornsby.

Key Appointments

4. Key appointments for the TAS Rifle Club are:

 Master-In-Charge (MIC): Mr Trevor Thatcher

Coaches: Mr Rob Bondfield, Mr Tim Wheaton, Mr Max Tavener 

Captain of Shooting: Archie Munro

Vice-Captain: Toby Crothers

 

Practice and Competition Program

 

5. Middle School Small Bore 

Middle School small bore shooters will practice at Meadowfield Range one afternoon a week.  Mr Wheaton and Mr Tavener will coordinate this shooting, providing safety and skills training to all beginner shooters.  Boys will shoot at targets ranging from 20 – 50m on the Range.  As boys gain skills and confidence they can opt to attend full bore practices, normally in Year  7 or 8.

6. Senior Full Bore

Full Bore shooters will practice at the small bore range on one or two afternoons per week, dependent on whether shooting is a first or second sports selection.  Weekend full bore shooting varies according to regional competitions.  Boys will shoot at ranges varying from 300 yards, upwards to 700 yards.  Boys are expected to attend club prize meetings throughout the terms.  They are a valuable way for boys to improve their skills and gain experience in competition shooting.  Most boys are entered at the C Grade level, providing them with the opportunity to perform well at that level, prior to progression up the grades. 

7. Shooting Calendar 

The Shooting Calendar is posted on the TAS website.

AAGPS Shooting Premiership

8. The Athletic Association of Greater Public Schools of NSW (AAGPS) Shooting Premiership is staged at Hornsby Range each year in July.  TAS has successfully competed in this competition since 1927, with a 1^st VIII and a 2^nd VIII. In 2008 the competition is scheduled for the first week of Term 3.  All senior shooters are expected to attend the competition and represent TAS in the 1^st or 2^nd team.  Selection for teams occurs throughout the year, leading up to the competition, with results at prize shoots and Wollomombi practices primarily considered.  In preparation for the GPS Premiership, boys will attend a compulsory weekend training camp at Hornsby Range in the last week of the winter holidays. Parents should ‘pencil-in’ their calendars the period 12 - 21 July, for the GPS training and competition period.  The competition itself will be held on 19 & 20 July. More information will be sent out during the term.

Attendance and Leave

9. Senior Shooters Boys who have elected shooting as their only sport are expected to attend small bore training twice a week, and weekend shooting in accordance with the calendar.  Boys who also play other sports should attend midweek training on at least one afternoon, and weekend practice and competition as detailed on the calendar.

10. Middle School Shooters 

Most middle school shooters elect small bore shooting as an extra sport.  Therefore, they are expected to attend shooting training one afternoon each week, and Saturday shooting as scheduled on the calendar.

11. Shooting Roster

A roster listing when boys are listed to attend mid-week training will be posted on the TAS shooting webpage, and posted on noticeboards around the school.

12. Leave

Boys unable to attend mid-week training and weekend smallbore shooting need to see Mr Spencer in order to gain approval for their absence.  For fullbore shooting leave is to be sought from Mr Thatcher.  Leave from weekend shooting is discouraged, however under exceptional circumstance it may be approved.  Notification from parents is required in this instance.

Dress Code

13. Mid-week training

  Boys are permitted to wear casual clothing.

14. Weekend practice and competition 

Boys are expected to wear the following:

Blue Denim Jeans (in good repair)

TAS Rifle Team Blue Polo Shirt (approx $25 from clothing pool); or

TAS Rugby Jersey; or

TAS Rifle Team Canterbury Jersey (approx $75 from clothing pool)

Solid leather boots or shoes

Akubra Hat (school or own); or

TAS blue cap

(Note:  boys may wear this uniform to mid-week training rather than sports uniform)

 

Rifles and Equipment

15. TAS Rifle Club holds a large number of small bore (.22 Cal) and full bore (.223 and .308 Cal) rifles and shooting equipment in the TAS Armoury.  All rifles have been safety checked by an armourer.

16. Senior shooters are issued with a rifle and associated equipment for the year.  They are expected to maintain their rifle and equipment, with particular emphasis on rifle cleaning. 

17. Boys who have their own rifle or equipment are encouraged to use it, provided it is of the appropriate standard.  This may be stored in the TAS Armoury, provided proof of registration is confirmed with the MIC.

NSW Firearms Regulations and NSW Rifle Association Membership

18. Minors Firearms Permit 

All boys are to obtain a Minors Firearms Permit in order to shoot. The Permit allows minors from the age of 12 to 18 to use a firearm, in the presence of a licensed adult.  Obtaining a minors permit involves firearms safety awareness training and testing, conducted by members of the Armidale Rifle Club (namely Mr Stuart Cleghorn), followed by the submission of an application for a minors permit to the NSW Firearms Registry.  This process can take quite a period of time (approx 2 months), dependent on NSW Firearms Registry processing times, and scheduling of safety training.  The processing of applications and safety training is coordinated by the TAS Rifle Club and MIC Mr Thatcher.  Parents will receive application documents in the mail for their signatures, and return to Mr Thatcher for processing and on-forwarding to the Firearms Registry.

19. Permission to Shoot

 In order to allow boys to shoot prior to obtaining a minors permit, TAS Rifle Club can approve boys to shoot once their parents have signed a P650 'Permission to Shoot on an Approved Range'.  This permits boys to participate in target shooting, under close supervision, for a period of up to 3 months with TAS Rifle Club as a temporary or probationary member.

20. NSW Rifle Association Membership 

For boys to compete at club prize shoots and the AAGPS competition, membership of the NSW Rifle Association is required.  Applications are processed through the TAS Rifle Club.

Costs

21. Term Fee

The term fee for participation in Rifle Shooting is $55.00. This fee covers the student’s .22 small bore ammunition for the term, purchase of small bore targets, use and maintenance of rifles and equipment.

 

22. Minors Firearms Permit (once only costs)

 

Cost of Safety Awareness Training and Test $70.00

Cost of Minor’s Firearms Permit $75.00

 

23. NSW Rifle Association Membership (1 Jul 11 – 30 Jun 12)

 U21 member $76.00

(Pro-rata rates for late membership)

Subscription to Australian Target Rifle (Released every 2 months) $37.00

 

24. Senior Shooters Wollomombi Training

Range Fees ($2.50 Per Stage)                                                            Approx $5.00

 Ammunition ($1.15 per round)                                                            Approx $27.60

25. Open Prize Meetings

Throughout the year, the club travels to a selection of Open Prize Meetings organised by other Rifle Clubs at ranges around the district. These include Mungindi, Spring Ridge, Inverell, Warwick, Wingham and Goondiwindi.  Costs involved include: travel (usually by school bus driven by Mr Thatcher or Mr Wheaton, entry fee, meals and ammunition ($1.15 per round) for a one day meeting, while accommodation and extra food and ammunition is required for two day shoots. Camping out or barrack style accommodation is usual.

26. Typical entry fees range from $30.00 to $35.00 per day of competition. TAS charges school bus travel at flat rates for nominated destinations at .6 cents per km (if driven by staff member).

27. A summary of anticipated costs for the Spring Ridge Prize Meeting (15 May 11) 1 day event, based on attendance of 10 boys, is listed:

  Travel - $31, Ammo - $39, Food - $30, Entry Fee - $30 = Total - $130

Conclusion

28. Shooting with TAS Rifle Club is an enjoyable and developmental experience for boys in middle and senior school.  Technical knowledge of the rifle and associated equipment is gained, as well as the practical application of very accurate shooting at targets over long ranges. Parents are encouraged to support their boys in shooting by attending range practices and competition prize meetings.  For further information or enquiries, please contact MIC Shooting Mr Trevor Thatcher: Ph. 02 67665800 or Mobile: 0427 765 806.