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Qualifying StandardsCommonwealth Games 2010 Qualifying Standards - JERSEY RIFLE ASSOCIATION Indication of how the Qualifying Standards relate to the Games 17 To: The Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey Validation Group 7.62mm target rifle shooting in Jersey is carried out in the prone position on the outdoor ranges of Crabbé and Les Landes. The Qualifying Standards submitted cover the imperial target rifle discipline (“Fullbore”) which is the main discipline in the Island and the 300m discipline (“300m”) which does not feature in every Games due to range availability and facilities. The biggest Fullbore event in the world each year is the British Open at Bisley, Surrey, which attracts competitors of all standards from around the world take part. The event is run by the National Rifle Association (NRA) of Great Britain over a nine day period comprising 15 individual squadded competitions. The events and standards which enable a competitor to qualify for the Commonwealth Games which are part of the Bisley Imperial Meeting are listed in item 3 on page 10 of this document. The average entry per squadded competition is 1,200 and this increases to around 1,500 entries for H.M. The Queen’s Prize (the “Queen’s Prize”). Listed below are the particular shooting events held at the Commonwealth Games for which this document sets out the Qualifying Standards. All events are Open (ie. no separate Men’s and Ladies events). Fullbore The Fullbore events at the Games are held on an outdoor range. The shooters are not protected from the elements and shoot in the open in all weather conditions (except for bad visibility or lightning). The weather conditions, in particular the strength and direction of the wind, have a significant effect on a competitor’s score. At long range (ie. 900 & 1,000 yards) the bullet has further to travel and so there is more time for the wind to affect its flight. Consequently scores are often lower. For this reason the qualifying standards that we are putting forward are based on ‘positions’ rather than ‘scores’. As you will see in the "Qualifying Standards" the Pairs qualification standards are slightly lower than for an individual event. The reason we have set them lower is that generally this reflects the fact that scores in the Pairs event are lower because both competitors need to score well at the same time. Furthermore, a shooter who may not have achieved the standards for the individual event may have very strong wind coaching skills which would make them a very valuable resource for the Pairs event, in which the coaching can win or loose more points than the shooter himself / herself. Candidates cannot qualify on coaching skills alone and must attain the standards set out on pages 9 –15. The target has scoring rings worth 5 for a bullseye, then 4, 3, 2 and 1 points. The target has a central bull (“V-Bull”) which, like the larger bullseye ring, is worth 5 points but in the event two or more shooters have the same score, the one with the most V-Bulls has the higher placing. Ammunition is typically ‘as issued’, ie competitors may not use their own ammunition. Fullbore: Commonwealth Games Individual Event Distances and number of shots are as for the three stages of the Queen’s Prize at the Imperial Meeting at Bisley (see above), ie. Stage I Distances: 300, 500 and 600 yards Stage II Distances: 300, 500 and 600 yards Stage III Distances: 900 and 1,000 yards The final placings are decided on the aggregate scores in all three stages. The maximum possible score being 405.81. In countries with metric ranges only, Stages I and II shall be fired at distances of 300m, 500m and 600m using scaled up (metric) versions of the current NRA targets. Stage III shall be fired at 800m and 900m on the standard NRA long-range target since the differences between 800m and 900 yards, and between 900m and 1,000 yards, are not significant. The condition of the rifle range or weather could result in the course of fire being changed. Competitors may be squadded in pairs or threes (2 or 3 shooters sharing a target and taking it in turns to fire their shots and record each other’s scores), care being taken to ensure as far as possible that competitors from the same country are not squadded together. If target accommodation permits, all competitors shall fire shoulder to shoulder. If it is necessary to limit the number of firers in the second and/or third stages, a tie-shoot will take place for the last places. A tie for any of the medals will result in a tie-shoot. Fullbore: Commonwealth Games Pairs Event Distances and number of shots are as for the second and third stages of the individual event (as above), with the exception that only one sighting shot per firer is allowed at each distance. One target is allotted to each pair. Time limits to complete the course of fire at 300, 500 and 600 yards are 35 minutes, and at 900 and 1,000 yards, 50 minutes. The pairs fire in the prone position shoulder to shoulder. They may fire alternate shots or may shoot in a string, ie. one at a time. Each pair of firers may coach each other (ie. keep an eye on the wind/mirage direction and strength, adjust their partner’s sights and instruct him/her when to fire and when to hold). In testing wind conditions, the coach can win or lose more points than the shooter, especially at long range where the flight of the bullet is more greatly affected by the wind. (NB. Mirage refers to the heat haze on the range and shows the air currents that may affect the flight of the bullet). Being a team event, all ties are counted out in accordance with NRA count-back rules. The maximum score is 600.120 (ie. 150 with 30 V-Bulls per stage per firer) Badge Match This is an individual ‘warm-up’ match comprising the same distances and number of shots as for the second and third stages of the individual event. The maximum score is 300.60 (ie. 150 with 30 V-Bulls per stage). Typical Commonwealth Games Programme for the Fullbore Events Days 1, 3, 5, 7 & 9 Practice at 300, 500 & 600 yards The above is a typical example of the Games Programme of Fullbore events. However, in hot and humid conditions, the programme might be such that the Pairs Match is shot over 2 days and the Individual Stages I and II on separate days in order to allow the competitors time to recover (as was the case at the 1998 Malaysia Games). The above individual, pairs and badge match events have appeared at every Games. The following disciplines may feature at future Games instead of, or in addition to, the Fullbore events described above, but are not usually scheduled for the Games. The 300m events at the Games are held on an outdoor range. The shooters are protected from the elements to the extent that they usually shoot from a covered firing point. At 300m, the wind has less effect on the flight of the bullet than in the Fullbore events and scores are less affected by weather conditions. For this reason, the qualifying standards that we are putting forward are based on ‘scores’ and ‘positions’. As you will see in the "Qualifying Standards" the Pairs qualification standards are slightly lower than for an individual event. The reason we have set them lower is that generally this reflects the fact that scores in the Pairs event are lower because both competitors need to score well at the same time. Furthermore, a shooter who may not have achieved the standards for the individual event may have very strong wind coaching skills which would make them a valuable resource for the Pairs event, in which the coaching can in difficult conditions win or lose more points than the shooter himself / herself. Candidates cannot qualify on coaching skills alone and must attain the standards set out on pages 9-15. 300m comprises two events for both Individual and Pairs. 300m does not feature at every Games. 300m: Commonwealth Games Free Rifle - Individual Unlimited sighting shots and 60 shots to count. There are ten scoring rings worth 10 points for a bullseye down to 1 point for a ‘hit’. The target has a central bull (“X-ring”) which, like the larger bullseye ring, is worth 10 points but in the event two or more shooters have the same score, the one with the most X-rings has the higher placing. The maximum score is 600 points (with 60 X-rings). The rules allow competitors to use their own ammunition and different calibre rifles are allowed, although typically 7.62mm calibre is the preferred choice. 300m: Commonwealth Games Free Rifle – Pairs As for the individual, but the pair may coach each other. Maximum score is 2 x 600 points = 1,200 (with 120 X-rings). 300m: Commonwealth Games Standard Rifle - Individual As per the Free Rifle event (above) but only the standard 7.62mm target rifle (Fullbore rifle) may be used. The maximum score is 600 points (with 60 X-rings). 300m: Commonwealth Games Standard Rifle – Pairs As for the individual, but the pair may coach each other. Maximum score is 2 x 600 points = 1,200 (with 120 X-rings). Competitors will normally start their shooting career on an indoor smallbore rifle range shooting at 15 and 25 yards. Most of the Island’s fullbore shooters have been introduced to the sport by friends, family, the cadet corps or by Victoria College. Once an accomplished .22mm smallbore shot, the shooter may then progress to 7.62mm fullbore on an outdoor range at distances of 200 to 1,000yards. The Island supports 2 outdoor fullbore rifle ranges, Crabbé and Les Landes. The Crabbé range is used by the JRA for shooting at 200 to 600 yards and Les Landes for shooting at distances of 900 and 1,000 yards. The Development Route The development of a fullbore shooter in Jersey starts with participation in club competitions and then moving to represent the JRA in team matches at local and inter insular level. The shooter may at the same time represent the JRA at international level given that there is very little distinction between club and international representation. 300m is the only discipline in which it is possible to get an invitation to be a member of the Great Britain National Squad and / or be selected to represent Great Britain at various championships. In the Fullbore discipline (ie. not 300m), Jersey competes against GB. Jersey shooters therefore represent Jersey and the Channel Islands and are not selected to shoot for GB. There is no strict hierarchy of Fullbore events as many of the competitions are open to competitors of all standards. It is only in Commonwealth Games related events where individual selection by the JRA is required. However, as a broad indication, a list of the events that an individual will compete in is shown below: Individual club competitions and prize meetings It should be noted that there is no typical progression as such but it is the individual participation and achievement in these competitions which identifies an individual’s talents, which are reflected in the classification system as described below. This classification system is the yardstick of achievement in the Fullbore world. It is important to understand this classification system which is applied to the organisation of most (but not all) NRA (the national governing body) and other Open Events. Shooters compete in one of up to four classes based upon their ability and as determined by past performance at the NRA Annual Imperial Meeting. NRA Classes of Competitors:- Class X: One who has during the last three years been: Class A: One who has during the last three years been: Class O: One who is not Class X, Class A or Class T. Class T: One who, before the forthcoming Annual Bisley Imperial Meeting (see page 2), has never been in the “Open Prize List” in any competition included on the current Individual’s Entry Form, for the Annual Bisley Imperial Meeting, above the last O-Class shooter to make the prize list. For selection purposes, the JRA would not usually consider a competitor who has not attained a Class X classification (or foreign equivalent). It is however possible for Class A shooters to compete at an appropriate standard to be considered for selection. There are no such classifications for 300m discipline. Qualifying Events We have broken down the level of a qualification for the "Qualifying Standard" and have tried to show the importance of the competition to the competitor and yourselves by assigning each Qualifying Event to one of two categories depending upon the number of entries and the quality of competition we would expect at the event. We hope that this overview of the Fullbore and 300m Events is some help to you and should you require any further information, or would wish a meeting with us then please do not hesitate to contact us. The JRA Standard Setting Committee. Fullbore Rifle Events Queen’s Individual 300 Rifle Events Individual (Free Rifle & Standard Rifle) Competitors wishing to be considered for any of these events in the Commonwealth Games 2010 must submit a CV of Qualifying Scores or Results achieved at one or more Qualifying Events during the during the 2008 and/or 2009 season. What constitutes a Qualifying Score or Result or a Qualifying Event is described below separately for each discipline. The Competitor must also provide copies of official result records in support of their CV if requested. For ease of reference, it is noted that the results of the Bisley Imperial Meeting are published and sent out to all competitors of the Grand Aggregate at no further cost. Competitors wishing to be considered for any of the above events in the Commonwealth Games 2010 may qualify to be considered for selection by achieving the Qualifying Standard as described more fully in the appendix “Qualifying Standards” (see appendix). The remainder of this paper is divided into the following sections: Qualifying Events: Those events at which a competitor should seek to achieve a Qualifying Results and a Qualifying Score. Qualifying Results: An explanation of the positional results competitors need to achieve at the various Qualifying Events which either alone or together with a Qualifying Score will achieve the Qualifying Standard. Qualifying Standards: An explanation of the Qualifying Scores and Qualifying Results that will be regarded as achieving the Qualifying Standard for selection. Qualifying Events In the following tables of Fullbore and 300m events, the “Categories 1 or 2” refer to the status of the particular event for the purposes of the Qualifying Standards described below and take account of the nature and status of the event, its likely quality in terms of the number of entrants and the quality of the field. This assessment could be revised in the light of actual entry levels at the event. Any such revision may made either to upgrade an event from Category 2 to Category 1 or to downgrade an event from Category 1 to Category 2 or from Category 2 to remove it altogether as a Qualifying Event. Any such revision would only ever be made by the JRA Selection Committee in exceptional circumstances where for example the number and quality of competitors was very much higher or lower than would normally be expected at the event. Every effort will be made to identify any such exceptional circumstances ahead of the event and potential competitors advised accordingly but competitors should be aware that such exceptional circumstances may only become apparent during or after the event and the decision to upgrade or downgrade the Category of an event taken at that time." Fullbore Target Rifle Events
B) 300m Events
2. Qualifying Score (300m only) The following score achieved by any competitor at any Qualifying Event shall be regarded as a Qualifying Score. 582 (or more) ex 600 (individual) 3. Qualifying Results (i) He/she achieves a position in a Qualifying Event as specified above or (ii) He/she achieves a position in a Qualifying Event lower than that specified above but with a Gunscore equal to that of the competitor who was in the lowest position in the Qualifying Event that would have been a Qualifying Result. Different events apply different rules eg countback, to differentiate between competitors who achieve the same Gunscore or shooting score. This condition simply recognises that in achieving an equal Gunscore the competitor has in fact shot to a standard that is the equivalent to achieving a Qualifying Result or (iii) He/she achieves a score in a Qualifying Event that is within 1% of the winning score for that Qualifying Event (Fullbore and 300m), providing the maximum possible score in the Qualifying Event is not less than 300. b) In order for an International Event to be regarded as a Qualifying Event it should be possible to demonstrate that it presents a similar standard of competition to other International Events in the above “Qualifying Events” taking into account the number of competitors and the quality of competition. It will have to be approved as such by the JRA Commonwealth Games Selection Committee taking account of the factors described above. c) In Fullbore Rifle a competitor may achieve a Qualifying Result in any Qualifying Event regardless of the range or combination of ranges (distance from target) at which the competition is held. 4. Qualifying Standards A) Fullbore Rifle and 300m - Individual Events As indicated above a competitor will be regarded as having achieved the Qualifying Standard in the following circumstances: By achieving a Qualifying Result at one or more (as necessary) of the Qualifying Events listed above as follows: a) Any 1 Qualifying Result at any of the events in Category 1 or b) Any 3 Qualifying Results at any of the events Category 2 but so that no more than 2 such Qualifying Result may be achieved in Jersey. B) 300m - Individual Events By achieving a Qualifying Score or Qualifying Result at one or more (as necessary) of the Qualifying Events listed above as follows: a) Any 1 Qualifying Score or any 1 Qualifying Result of the Category 1 events or Competitors will be regarded as having achieved Qualifying Standards for selection as a Pair for Pairs Events in the following circumstances: 1. If each competitor achieves the Qualifying Standard as Individuals or 2. If at any Qualifying Event the pair have competed as a pair and achieved a Qualifying Result as per the above tables. D) 300m – Pairs Events Competitors will be regarded as having achieved Qualifying Standards for selection as a Pair for Pairs Events in the following circumstances: 1. If each competitor achieves the Qualifying Standard as Individuals or 2. If at any Qualifying Event the pair have competed as a pair and achieved a Qualifying Result or Qualifying Score as per the above tables or 3. If at any Qualifying Event the pair has achieved an aggregate score equal to twice the individual Qualifying Score less 1% (rounded to nearest whole number). The Selection Committee is The Executive of the JRA and comprises the President, the 3 Vice Presidents, the Hon. Secretary, the Hon. Treasurer and the Captain. Any of the above persons who wish to be considered for selection will not sit on the Selection Committee nor will they be replaced. Qualification may only be achieved in the two full seasons prior to the Commonwealth Games, which for the 2010 Games means results achieved at any of the Qualifying Events between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2009. Since the Fullbore season typically runs from Spring to Autumn, which in Great Britain is March to September inclusive, the Selection Committee would usually select post September in the year prior to the Games (eg. in October 2009 for the 2010 Games). However, if the Commonwealth Games Association of Jersey does not require the names of the selected candidates until January or later of the Games year, then the Selection Committee would hold off selection to allow a candidate the opportunity to achieve a Qualifying Standard during the October, November and December months. This would only be the case if a candidate made it known that he/she intended to take part in one or more Qualifying Events during this period. The above Qualifying Standards have been carefully considered and are designed to be achieved by candidates who are capable of finishing in the top 10 at the Commonwealth Games and have a realistic chance of winning a medal if they perform to their best. Example of variances of Fullbore Classifications: In Australia, Fullbore has an A, B and C grading system reviewed annually in every State bar Western Australia where they apply a division system splitting competitors by number and skill.
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