A busy day at the club yesterday – thanks to everyone for pitching in with all the tasks necessary to keep things running smoothly.  Three more shooters transitioned to slings yesterday, again with pleasing results.

Congratulations to the following members:

• Meredith Ackrill on top-scoring with 393.18 at the second Teams of Ten trials
• Bex Gibbs and Erin Little for their first 100s of the season (both as part of 20-shot scores of 198.7 and 195.10 respectively)
• New personal best (PB) scores recorded by Casey Israelson 99.8, Cassie Truscott 92.3, and Lauchie Grahame 88.1.

“Best on the rest” this week was Seth Smith with 94.4 ahead of Ethan Haigh with 89.2.  Top shots in D Grade were new shooters Cassie Truscott 92.3 and Finn Ashby 90.2, followed by Jack Day with 90.1.  Casey Israelson’s 99.8 led C Grade, while Emily Lockery continues to shoot well, this week scoring 93.2.  Only an inner separated the top two in B Grade this week (Craig Fair 96.4 and Erin Little 96.3), and Meredith Ackrill had the best score in the higher grades of 98.3.  In the 20-shot competition Bex Gibbs was highest with 198.7 ahead of Meredith Ackrill on 197.7 and David Grain with 196.8.

Thanks to Poul Israelson, Stephen Thessman, Erin Little and Meredith Ackrill for getting the club scoreboard up to date.  The club competition comprises five series of five weeks with a gap between each series, for both 10-shot and 20-shot cards.  The aim for each shooter should be to complete all 25 10-shot competition scores and as many 20-shot scores as possible.  The club 20-shot trophy is presented to the person with the highest aggregate 20-shot score overall, while the BCD 20-shot trophy is presented to the person with the highest 15 20-shot scores (out of 25) for all B Graders, C Graders and D Graders.

Members were emailed the full list of Wellington representative matches on the 2019 calendar.  It is up to each member to notify the WSRA selector of any matches they are not available for prior to the “opt-out deadline”.  Teams will then be selected the following day from all remaining members.

A reminder that targets need to be stamped “competition” or “practice” before they are shot.  If not stamped, the scores will be recorded as competition scores.  Members need to record all competition scores – this determines grading for the following season (new shooters start as D Graders for their first season).  Current grades are as follows:

• Master Grade – 97.75 to 100
• A Grade – 96.50 to 97.74
• B Grade – 94.00 to 96.49
• C Grade – 90.00 to 93.99
• D Grade – 89.99 and under

If someone has shot groups rather than a full target, could markers please write “groups” onto the scoresheet.  There were some gaps on the scoresheet this week making it difficult to know whether a score was missing.  Also please write all scores clearly so there is no doubt as to what the score is – if a mistake is made, cross the whole score out and write it again in the next column.

Alan Gibbs from Nelson has kindly offered to provide funding for five years to assist shooters who may otherwise not be able to compete in indoor events.  There is a maximum of $1000 available every year for five years.  Applications close on 6 May and need to be accompanied by a letter of support from the club.  If you are interested in applying, please advise the committee by 30 April that you wish to apply and give a reason(s) as to why you believe the club should support your application.

Upcoming events:

• Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April, Rangitikei Open Champs, Marton.
• Sunday 21 April, 5pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.
• Saturday 27 April, Masterton Open Champs.
• Sunday 28 April, 2pm, Wellington v Horowhenua, 2x20.  Team to be named Monday 22 April.
• Sunday 28 April, 6.30pm, club competition.
• Tuesday 30 April, deadline for advising committee if you are interested in making an application to The Gibbs Fund.
• Thursday 2 May, 7.30pm, Round 1 NDC competition.  Team to be named Monday 29 April.

Welcome to new members Daniel Johnson, Finn Ashby and Seth Smith, and to returning member, Ethan Haigh.

Three moved to slings yesterday with very pleasing results.  A further three will make the transition next Sunday, with the last two on Easter Sunday.  Could senior members please advise if they are available to assist at 5pm on either of these two Sundays.

Many of our members trialling for the Teams of Ten match recorded extremely good scores yesterday, particularly Bex Gibbs 395.23, Meredith Ackrill 393.22 and Evan Little 392.17.  Congratulations also to D Grader, Stephen Thessman, on achieving 384.11 (B Grade level shooting).

In the “best on the rest” section this week, Will Dunshed top-scored with 92.4, followed by Ethan Haigh on 90.0.  Stephen Thessman took top honours again in D Grade with 91.1 ahead of Mike Williams on 89.3.  The B Grade competition continues to be extremely tight with both Dianne Grain and Erin Little top-scoring with 97.5, ahead of Mark Riley on 95.1.  In the higher grades Evan Little scored best with 100.7, and Meredith Ackrill and Bex Gibbs both scored 198.11 in the 20-shot competition.

We are now in the grading season so please start recording all your competition scores from now until the end of September.  Add a new tab to the spreadsheet you used last year.

Thanks to the many who have paid their subs – there are just a few outstanding payments left.  As the affiliation components of the subs need to be forwarded to the regional and national bodies this month, it would be appreciated if prompt payment could be made into either the club’s bank account using your name as a reference, or at the club next Sunday.  The TSNZ membership form also needs to be completed as soon as possible (hard copies are available at the club) – once again, just a few of these outstanding.

The club calendar will be emailed to members as soon as the interclub dates have been finalised this week.

And on a more light-hearted note ... As we get older, our senior moments seem to become more frequent.  David Grain had a great one last weekend.  David enjoys hunting, and gets away for a 10-day trip in the roar (not raw, ugh!!) each year.  He left early Saturday morning, only to return an hour or so later as he’d forgotten his hunting rifle!!!  However he made up for it before afternoon smoko with a 12-pointer.

Upcoming events:

• Saturday 13 April, Bulls Open Champs, Palmerston North.
• Sunday 14 April, 9.30am, Teams of Ten trial, 2x20 shots.
• Sunday 14 April, 5pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.
• Friday 19 and Saturday 20 April, Rangitikei Open Champs, Marton.
• Sunday 21 April, 5pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.

Welcome to new members Cassie Truscott, Maia Lapointe, Lauchie Grahame and Ryan Day.  It is expected a further four or five will join the club in the next week or so.

There were many fantastic scores achieved yesterday.  In our “best on the rest” section, Daniel Johnson top-scored with 96.1, closely followed by Cassie Truscott 95.1 and Maia Lapointe 94.3.  Only a point separated all in D Grade with Stephen Thessman taking top honours this week with 86.0.  Casey Israelson scored best in C Grade with 97.5 ahead of Emily Lockery on 94.1.  In B Grade Mark Riley led with an impressive 99.3, followed by Craig Fair with 95.3.  Evan Little scored highest in A Grade with 98.6, and Meredith Ackrill continued her fine shooting with 100.7 in Master Grade.  The excellent scores carried through to the 20-shot competition – Evan Little 197.11 closely followed by Meredith Ackrill 197.9 while Mark Riley, Erin Little and Bex Gibbs all scored 195s.

We are now in the grading season so please start recording all your competition scores from now until the end of September.  Add a new tab to the spreadsheet you used last year.

Thanks to those who have paid their subs.  As the affiliation components of the subs need to be forwarded to the regional and national bodies this month, it would be appreciated if all members could make prompt payment into either the club’s bank account using your name as a reference, or at the club next Sunday.  The TSNZ membership form also needs to be completed as soon as possible – hard copies are available at the club.

The transition to slings will commence next Sunday at 5pm, with a session for the next group the following Sunday.  Could senior members please advise which day(s) they are able to assist on.

Upcoming events:

• Monday 1 April, 2019 grading season commences.
• Saturday 6 April, Colyton Open Champs, Feilding.
• Sunday 7 April, 9.30am, Teams of Ten trial, 2x20 shots.
• Sunday 7 April, 5pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.
• Saturday 13 April, Bulls Open Champs, Palmerston North.
• Sunday 14 April, 9.30am, Teams of Ten trial, 2x20 shots.
• Sunday 14 April, 5pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.

Meredith Ackrill and Evan Little continue to record excellent scores, 100.6 and 198.12 for Meredith, and 99.8 and 196.10 for Evan.  Ross Little was next best in A Grade with 98.5.  Dianne Grain had the highest score in B Grade (98.3) followed by Erin Little with 95.3.  Congratulations to Emily Lockery on scoring an equal personal best of 96.2 to take top honours in C Grade, ahead of Inge Little with 95.3.  And Stephen Thessman continues to lead D Grade, this week scoring 93.2, while Josh Whitehead was next best with 87.1.

Best on the rest this week was Ethan Haigh 90.2, very closely followed by Cassie Truscott 90.1, with many other scores in the 80s being recorded.

The four-week introduction programme has now finished, and those interested in continuing to shoot have been invited to join the club.  New shooters will transition to slings over the first three weeks in April.

At the BSRC AGM last night, it was decided to keep the club fees at the same level as last year.  Prompt payment of subs would be appreciated, either into the club’s bank account using your name as a reference, or at the club.

The following roles were approved at the AGM:

• President – David Grain
• Vice-President – Mark Robinson
• Secretary – Peter McCarthy
• Treasurer – Evan Little
• Captain – Dianne Grain
• Handicapper – Inge Little
• Committee – Craig Fair, Meredith Ackrill, Inge Little
• College coordination – Stephen Thessman and Craig Fair
• Armourer – Mark Robinson
• Supper coordination – Meredith Ackrill
• Club night coordination – Stephen Thessman and Erin Little

The club calendar is nearing completion and will be emailed to members as soon as it is finalised.  Please keep this handy as it includes the dates for open champs, representative matches, interclubs and college competitions.

The grading season commences on 1 April.  All competition scores need to be recorded from this date until 30 September.  Please add another tab to the spreadsheet used last year.

Upcoming events:

• Monday 1 April, 2019 grading season commences.
• Saturday 6 April, Colyton Open Champs, Feilding.
• Sunday 7 April, 9.30am, Teams of Ten trial, 2x20 shots.
• Sunday 7 April, 5.30pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.
• Saturday 13 April, Bulls Open Champs, Palmerston North.
• Sunday 14 April, 9.30am, Teams of Ten trial, 2x20 shots.
• Sunday 14 April, 5.30pm, moving to slings, followed by club competition from 6.30pm.