NRAA COVID 19 Members Update, 25 March 2020.
The Board is continuing to meet weekly and is reviewing the updated information being released from both Federal and State governments.
We would like to reiterate our recommendations from the previous update.
If you fall into one of these categories our strong advice is that you abstain from shooting in the short to medium term.
CLUB SHOOTING: The NRAA strongly recommends that all club shooting be aligned with Federal and State Government guidelines relating to COVID-19 and sports/social gatherings. This is changing daily in each State so please assign a club representative to keep abreast of the changes and advise your respective Club Committee. Your State/Territory Association will be able to provide the most up to date information particularly with State/Territory guidelines, inclusive of respective Firearms Registry advice.
It is our strong advice that Clubs and Associations suspend shooting to meet the intent of the Government Guidance with regard to social distancing. Ultimately greater effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 now, will mean a quicker return to life as normal.
STATE QUEENS / STATE COMPETITIONS: As most will have seen all State/Territory Championships have been cancelled or postponed that were scheduled to take place before August 2020. It is the NRAA’s recommendation to the States/Territories that large events in the short term be postponed, and a decision made for events in the second half of the year to have a decision made no later than 6 weeks prior to commencement. Obviously, a decision to cancel or postpone any such event rests with the organising State/Territory Association, and a key consideration will be the time until the event is run – the events surrounding COVID-19 are likely to change in the coming weeks.
NATIONAL QUEENS/NATIONAL TEAMS: With further restrictions being imposed daily, the NRAA has deliberated earlier than indicated on the running of the National Open and Under 25 Teams event and the National Championships. In the best interests of our members we have cancelled this year’s National Championships. There will be no National Queens in 2020. The National Teams Matches have been postponed and will now be contested in June 2021 as per the following dates:
12 – 13 June Natives Prize Meeting
14 – 15 June President’s Match
16 – 18 June Queen’s Prize
19 – 21 June National Open and Under 25 Teams Matches
We
understand this will have adverse impact on many peoples plans but we feel this
is in the best interest for all our members.
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS: As uncertainty grows and the subsequent impact on team selections and practices, we have now cancelled the following International Teams:
- Ladies Tri Nations Match – New Zealand 2021
- All Trans-Tasman Matches – New Zealand 2021
- Australian Rifle Team – Bisley 2021
This decision was not taken lightly. All factors were considered including the challenges with selection trials and practices. We are also very conscious of the impact that COVID-19 will have on peoples financial well being as well as their personal circumstances.
These decisions have been hard decisions to make, but we as a Board have a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our members. The next 6-12 months are going to be very difficult times for us as a collective shooting sport.
Once again please look after yourself and your mates during these difficult times.
Piers Cambridge
Chairman NRAA on behalf of the Board
