Vic Archers - Classification system

[Marcus]

This is for all the Victorian archers

As you may know we have a classification system that is used at many tournaments included the state titles.
I don't want to debate whether we should have it or not here, but rather how it is implemented and policed.
At the moment officially to shoot in GMB or MB you have to shoot the score (1230 and 1298 Mens Compound) 3 times in one year, with one in a comp and 2 in non-comp (if you choose)

Now the concern I have is this. Who polices this?
If AV wants to stay with a classification system, shouldn't it be controlled so that people are not sandbagging?
Also I assume that people would bust a gut to get to GMB, but often they never quite manage to shoot that final score that does (despite plenty of opportunity and the ability). If 1300+ shooters are hanging back in 1st class or MB and not making the claim, what can be done?

This isn't aimed at anyone in particular, more of a concern at the system. In other sports it is very controlled. You are put into a class and monitored carefully. Archery in Vic seems to rely on the archer to do this, and that seems to be not ideal.

What do others think?

[Flame]

Bloody sandbaggers are easy to spot from the results list

Most archers in Vic are shooting in the correct class from the results I have processed with scores being very close in each class

I think we should publicly out the sandbaggers :D

[dbjac]

I agree, there are lots hanging back.

I only recently came through 1st, MB and finally into GMB.
I can tell you that when i was shooting scores only JUST below GMB in MB class, i was frequently beat by the same people shooting scores that would get them podium finishes in GMB.
They either dont shoot the FITA's, or dont try to move up. Even if i was in the position of not shooting FITA's, i'd still try and enter GMB, these guys obviously dont (trophy hunters). Hopefully implementing an Open class, rather than 3rd, 2nd, 1st, MB, GMB will kick these fools in the face.

[James Park]

I like the sort of arrangement that goes as follows:
- If you have exceeded a certain score or obtained a certain place in a competition in the past xxx months, or if you simply elect to do so, you shoot in the "Championship" group.
- If you have done none of those things you may elect to shoot in the "Limited" group if you wish to.

[Eberbachl]

I've shot the GMB scores. I don't even know if I "have" a classification.

What do I have to do to receive the classification. Does it just happen, or do I need to apply for it?

[primal]

i had a whole speil here, but forget it i aggree with jim, 2 divs only,

champion, i.e all the big boys and the people who want to play against them, this is essentially the gmb's and mbs'
and limited (all the other classes)

[Marcus]

Yeah I would love to see that.
I have had the idea of this

Mens Compound
Limited: Shoots a Ladies FITA, once they have scored 1300 they move to Championship.
Championship: Full FITA. Anyone can enter, but if they have shot Limited and over 1300 they MUST enter here.

Womens Compound
Same but with a Fremantle and Ladies FITA

Mens Recurve
Same but score is 1200

Womens Recurve
Same but score is 1200.


This would allow people to get into FITAs without having to stress about making 90/70m straight away.

[Eberbachl]

I think that's an excellent idea. IMHO having GMB, MB, 1st, 2nd, 3rd classes is just silly. :silly:

[Craig R]

IMHO, all classes are a waste of time(except age related ones for vets, kids etc).
The days of handing out prizes for all the different classes is a farse when the money spent on these prizes could be better utilized.
Why even have "limited" and "Championship" and not just an open class for men/women, compound/recurve etc?
Surely people just want to be the best in their chosen discipline.
Who really wants to be the Victorian 3rd class champ?
The only legitimate reason I can see for classes is to have similarly skilled shooters shooting on the same targets and this can be achieved other ways.

Just my opinion

[Marcus]

I did raise this at an AV meeting Craig on why certificates were handed out at the State Titles when it is an Open event.
I was told that I have no idea what I am talking about because I'm a GMB by some women who doesn't shoot.
Go figure. :rolleyes:

[Clare Barnes]

I've shot the GMB scores. I don't even know if I "have" a classification.
You haven't, not an official AA one anyway! :p


What do I have to do to receive the classification. Does it just happen, or do I need to apply for it?
You need to let your club recorder know...

People on this list have so far claimed MB or GMB for 2006. http://www.archery.org.au/lib/pdf/RC-011.pdf

You have until the end of this year to get organised to claim a 2006 classification and get the medal so there's no mad rush! :D

[Craig R]

So how long does one hold onto their Class?
I stoped shooting 15+ years ago and was a GMB, am I still one now I've started up again?
Just trash the whole system!
Open class only(except for age related grades) and put the money saved from all those meaningless cetificates/trophies etc to prize money or whatever.
'If', we need a way to rank people for target allocations then use the state/national rankings and or ask people to provide their most recent practice/tournament scores with their entry forms and rank them accordingly.(yes I know this could be abused)
The ideas above are ok but do we really need to cater for this. I dont think these changes would be detremental to the sport or to the partcipation rates.

[Clare Barnes]

It seems to be just an AV issue - other states don't run events based on classifications. :silly:

AA Classifications for MB and GMB require the scores to be shot in a calendar year to make a claim. The medals all have an insert specifying the year that the award relates to.

[Craig R]

So given that target allocations are generally done according to an archers class, I wonder how many archers are shooting on targets they shouldn't be?

I simply dont have the time to go out and shoot enough qualifying scores required to maintain a GMB classification, but I sure as hell know where I belong on the shooting line!

[The One]

I don't want to debate whether we should have it or not here

But why not? :silly:

[Marcus]

Because while Vic has the 'everyone must get a medal' it's a pointless debate.

[Marcus]

In Vic you keep it for life.
It wouldn't work otherwise because it would take most 3-6 months to get requalified.

So given that target allocations are generally done according to an archers class, I wonder how many archers are shooting on targets they shouldn't be?

I simply dont have the time to go out and shoot enough qualifying scores required to maintain a GMB classification, but I sure as hell know where I belong on the shooting line!