Proper Club Structure & Marketing of Rifle Shooting needed in the C’bean

Jun 01, 2013 Sports

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…..so says, ICFRA GS & VP

By Franklin Wilson
A concerted effort to implement potent club structures, strategic marketing of rifle shooting and developing plans to attract young people should be among the main focus of the rifle shooting associations in the Caribbean, these suggestions were made by Phil Harrison, General Secretary of the International Confederation of Fullbore Rifle Associations (ICFRA).
Harrison, who was on his fourth visit to the Caribbean, took time out to share his views on the rise and challenges the sport is facing in the region while he was at the 2013 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Rifle Shooting Championships at The Paragon Ranges in Barbados, May 11-19, 2013.

An experienced and successful marksman for Great Britain before taking over as ICFRA GS, Harrison informed that he has shot everywhere in the Commonwealth before setting foot in the Caribbean; always having a great desire to come to these parts.
“I have to say that I’ve had the most marvelous time in all five shooting territories here, we love coming here and I believe that Caribbean shooting is quite lively.”
But while that might be so, the ICFRA GS pointed out that the level of competiveness in the sport has been on the decline, unfortunately, but was also swift to share the reasons why he is of that view.
“It is proving very difficult for West Indian territories to bring young shooters into shooting and that is something which disappoints me. Against that, we can report the fact that we have helped to bring Antigua & Barbuda into shooting over the last five years.”
The five shooting territories, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Antigua & Barbuda, Harrison noted have excellent Ranges. He pointed out that the Paragon Ranges (Barbados) has been wonderful as it hosted the prestigious Australia Match that saw Team Great Britain shooting their way to the Australia Trophy.
Here are some of Mr. Harrison’s thoughts on the way forward for the sport: “Firstly, people must know that they are able to shoot and of course that will vary from territory to territory. According to what the laws are. In Barbados I know that in recent years the Cadets have been able to shoot and having this kind of thing is one good way of getting youngsters into shooting.
The other thing I’m afraid for the rifle associations themselves have to produce a programme which is attractive and have to market it to the younger shooters.”
Harrison more or less supports the view that opening up rifle shooting to the Disciplined Services would be a plus for the continued development and expanding of the sport.
Touching on the area of female shooters, Harrison quickly pointed out that there are a number of fine female shooters including Jennifer George-Husbands of Barbados who went to the last Commonwealth Games hosted in Delhi, India.
“So you are not bereft of good female shooters. It is one of the features of the shooting that we do that the women take part on exactly equal terms as men and the reason for that is, because women can shoot just as well as men.”
Reference was made to the British team which is made up of some top women shooters who in many instances out shoot their male counterparts. One of the attractions he noted for women in England is the fact that they might have brothers, husbands and fathers who are involved in the sport so they naturally gravitate towards the sport and does very well.
Still in the mode of recommending, Harrison posited that it would be good if schools in the Caribbean were allowed to get into .22 shooting.
This avenue he said might be easier given the various legislations in the territories and it is also a way to fullbore shooting.
“Almost all countries do have .22 shooting for their schools and produces some shooters.”
On this note, ICFRA Vice President Collin Cheshira joined in and suggested that it is very important that all clubs have facilities where young people can have access to rifles.
“If you have that facility you can have people go on a daily basis and learn the game and in some countries where the club system is very good so get a lot of youngsters. In countries where the club system isn’t very good you don’t have as many people; so it is important that clubs must have equipment.”
Cheshira, who was the previous General Secretary of ICFRA before passing in on to Harrison, pointed out that in the UK they’ve got youngsters starting to shoot at ages 13 and 14 at fullbore having done .22 at school.
At present, there are 33 countries that are affiliated to ICFRA and their aim is to encourage fullbore shooting around the globe.

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