Random Shots – latest news
A very well done to all those NROI members who worked hard through the weather (both extremes!) at the Scottish and British Masters to put on a couple of cracking level 3 matches. Lots of positive feedback coming in about all your efforts.
I am pleased to confirm that we are seeing more level 2 and 3 matches coming onto the UKPSA calendar later in the year, courtesy of the lovely people at North Cotes Butts and Empire Shooting Sports Club. This will give NROI members more opportunities to get in their maintenance match points, and for the new supervised range officers currently coming through our training programmes, to get fully qualified.
If you or your club is interested in hosting a sanctioned IPSC match but you don’t know where to start we would be happy to help. Experienced range masters and ambassadors are happy to provide advice and support and the UKPSA also has grants available to help clubs get national and international IPSC competitions up and running. For advice on hosting a match contact Jason.Clarke@ukpsa.org who if he can’t help himself will point you in the right direction.
Don’t forget NROI members can keep up to date with developments on our dedicated Facebook community here.
Finally I would like to welcome back Mick Flatley and Rob Parkhouse to the NROI and congratulate Kev Strowger, our Regional Director, who has been accepted into IROA.
Take care and stay safe
Martyn Spence
NROI President
On the range
New IPSC rule interpretations for July 2024
A set of interpretations for the IPSC rules has been issued covering the definition of a lens for all IPSC disciplines and clarifying how a bipod can be used in Rifle and Mini Rifle. More details are available on the IPSC website HERE
Was it a shoot through? – use a witness board or strip!
Where hard cover hits are likely, then a witness board or plastic strip on the edge of hard cover screens or props are the way to go.
They not only show a hit, but can easily be patched allowing consistent scoring of shoot throughs. Witness boards are also a great way to protect props from being destroyed by gunfire.
Fault Line Connectors
Available from hardware stores, small metal brackets are a great way to connect fault lines especially for indoor ranges or where the ground is too soft to make pinning them in place easy.
Placed low down and well out of the line of sight they don’t present a ricochet hazard and their low profile also reduces the possibility of slips and trips.
Prepare for all likely weather!
It certainly seems like our weather is getting more and more unpredictable. From mud slides to heat waves, GB matches this year have seen all the extremes and of course remind us, that in a mainly outdoor sport, we need to prepare for all eventualities. Remember to:
- Pack suitable outdoor clothes and footwear
- Check the weather forecast
- Apply sunscreen early and often
Need First Aid on your stage? – make your actions fast but accurate
Fortunately injuries in IPSC shooting are not common, thanks in no small part to our strict focus on safety but as with all sports and physical activities they can occur. Remember as the RO you have a duty of care to everyone on the range and safety is your priority. Our national and international events are required to provide First Aid cover but they need to know key information to help them do their job. Should someone be ill or injured remember to:
- Take immediate action to identify the problem (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and assist the competitor.
- Make a clear and concise call for help to the match director or designated first aider – for example ‘First aid required on stage 7 for a knee injury’. If urgent or an emergency response is needed then stress this in your communication.
- Do not forget to make the gun and range safe if required.
NROI official merch
A range of merchandise is exclusive to NROI members is available from Karuta Sportswear
Developing you and your Institute
Level 1 (Range Officer) Seminars
I am pleased to report that NROI membership is beginning to grow again, with eleven new people training on the first level 1 seminar to be conducted in over two and a half years. If you know any suitably experienced UKPSA members who would make a great Range Officer please encourage them to contact us and we will let them know how they can qualify and get them a place on an upcoming seminar. Any clubs wanting to host a seminar are also very welcome to get in touch. Just email us at nroi@ukpsa.org
Want to progress as a match official?
Our level 2 NROI/IROA (Chief Range Officer) shotgun seminar planned for October is now full to bursting and so we are now operating a waiting list. If you haven’t got your name down yet and would be interested please contact us at nroi@ukpsa.org
Future training and professional development?
Is there anything you would like training for as an NROI member? Perhaps a masterclass on setting up a match on a tablet? Or how about a course in first aid? Or an online rules debate?
If you have a training need please do get in touch and we’ll see what we can put on. Contact us at nroi@ukpsa.org