No Unmarked for FITA Field

[2Dogs]

That got you all here didn't it :P

Well the Nationals in Brisbane next year MIGHT most likely not include the unmarked FITA Field round but instead an IFAA hunters round. Discussions are continuing about the format. Personally i don't know how they could do that, as it's the national FITA Field champs not the FITIFAA Champs :wink:

The Rumor is that FITA is discussing droping the unmarked round and adopting an IFAA style field round in an effort to attract more archers to field. The Unmarked scares off too many beginners.

My source also indicates that FITA & IFAA are holding talks about combining the field side of things. FITA FIELD round becoming more like IFAA. Something like how FITA & IBO are holding talks about combined 3D.

There you go, my "Goss" for the week

[Kuru]

If I want to shoot IFAA I'll join an ABA club, you really need to shoot unmarked at the nationals, if only for practice for things like world championships. Personally I like the IFAA round but not at a FITA event. you can't have meters and yards mixed in

[StevenB]

:o
If I want to shoot IFAA I'll join an ABA club, you really need to shoot unmarked at the nationals, if only for practice for things like world championships. Personally I like the IFAA round but not at a FITA event. you can't have meters and yards mixed in

Totally Agree :D If it is going to be an IFAA field for the unmarked I will protest were its going to hurt the organisers and not shoot the field. :evil: If other people agree they should do the same.

[Marcus]

IF FITA does not use the IFAA format then I will protest it as well. Nothing worse than organisers messing with events like this.
HOWEVER
If FITA uses the IFAA round without changing it and adopts it as the standard then I am 100% behind that move. It's a far better round to shoot and will help bring more archers to a kinda standard format around the world.

If you want to shoot IFAA now, no need to join an ABA club, just join DVA. :wink: :D :)

[mike]

Very cheekey using this title for this board, it got me in!!

:roll:

I would hate to see unmarked go as I reckon it is a skill unto itself. I haven't shot IFAA, but it looks good and I believe it is a little longer than the FITA round (like out to 70 m?)

Since field shooting is the big drawcard in the States and in most places, it would be good to combine IFAA, with its huge membership, with FITA and its high profile (high profile in as much as it has the olympic side of the sport).

Looking at websites in the States for example, it is the field comps like the IBO, ASA and IFAA that get mentioned more than anything else. Not to mention the $US1000's prize money in the ASA. It would be good for FITA to make an alliance with these shoots. We should have both organisations working together to promote the field side of the sport. Just think, the number of competitors at any given Field comp would probably triple. FITA clubs could benefit from having IFAA registered shooters through ABA or what ever and vice versa.

It would finally settle the whole problem of having multiple World Field Archery champions in the same division -- that is the current IFAA champ would also have to beat his counterparts in FITA.

[2Dogs]

I agree.

I heard some stats a while ago, and I don't know if they are accurate. The stats were that there was approximatley 10000 people in Australia that shoot some form of Archery.

Now when you compare some of the Dealers in the states talking about the fact they have 650000 registered hunters in their State, you get an idea of how many people do Archery in the USA. So it's ok for the USA to have all these different Organisations because they have the numbers to support them.

Down here it's absolutely nuts that we have AA, ABA, AAA. Archery in this Country would greatly benefit from having one organisation with their various Sub commitees controling the different forms.

But this idea has been floating around for ages, and it will most likely never happen :x

[mike]

That is an amazing thought, 10000 archers in Aus when you consider the small number who compete in it as a sport. Not really suprizing though if you consider the number of hunters out there some of whom would use a bow.

The point is I guess that the only way to get more of them to have a go a competition (which is the best part of using a bow anyway) is to firstly have a main governing body, not several, so perhaps (god forbid) a ABA AA alliance would be a good start. Secondly to further promote the sport.

Sounds hard, and I wouldn't want the promotion task, but, more gold medals would help, and getting some coverage of the up coming selection trial and the subsequent World Champs in Canberra would also be good. I wonder if AA are doing anything about getting some media interest, particularly if the likes of Simon Fairweather may be in the team.

[James Park]

I would be a great start if we could at least coordinate the shooting calendars of AA and ABA state bodies so that we did not get conflicts. This should not be too difficult to do - I would think that if the bodies actually talked to each other it would be reasonably easy to avoid conflicts (eg in Victoria we had both the AV and ABA State Indoor Championships on the same weekend in 2001, and had a number of archers who then had to decide to shoot in only one event where otherwise they would have shot in both).
I think it should also be possible to arrange for members of one body to shoot in the tournaments of the other (although perhaps not win awards).
As far as I can tell, most of the archers want these things to happen - is it the governing bodies, or powerful individuals that resist it?

[2Dogs]

I think it's certain personalities within the Governing Bodies that seem to cause the most problems.

If it were possible to put this amalgamation question to every affilated archer in Aus, I think most would agree.

Now put the same question to the Boards of those bodies and that's when the trouble starts. Ego's & $$$$ get in the way of common sense.

At the moment 3DAAA is talking with AA about amalgamating, it will be interesting to see if it happens.

[Marcus]

Forget a ABA/AA joining anytime in the future. Because my club is both we get to see some of the problems associated with it. The only way it will happen is if AA caters for the people who would join ABA. If AA's numbers vasty out grow ABA's then maybe something will happen. However ABA has key points that will make that hard.
They are cheaper
Their round is easier. (although this can be deceptive)
Gear costs less to be competitive
You don't have to join a club to be a member

Also the guy who runs ABA is heavily opposed to sight shooting. If he had his way sighted shooters wouldn't shoot ABA, so what do you think he thinks of AA shooters?

Then there is the fact that AA's controllers arn't that great either.

[2Dogs]

Who's running ABA now?????

Syd Green still....or Eric Creighton

[Marcus]

Syd Green. I believe he will run it till he dies.

Who is 3DAAA? Never heard of em. (must be a Queensland thing)
I don't really mind ABA and AA being seperate. I doubt AA could cater to hunter effectivly. Perhaps if the were under one body with different sections. So AA runs all, then you have AV and BV (Bowhunting Victoria). Simply because the hardcore actual hunting part of archery is such a different thing to shooting rounds and comps.

Also I don't think AA comps are run better.

Would like to hear Bruce's opinion on this one.

[2Dogs]

What you haven't heard of 3DAAA??

That's the National Organisation setup to shoot 3D in Australia. It's been going since 1996-97 after fights with ABA.

It's very big in NSW & QLD...sort of like Rugby League vs Aussie Rules huh :D

They have big numbers at shoots, I attended one in Ipswich 2 weeks ago. Had 150 shooters.They get over 200+ very reguarly, with a mix of everyone. AA, ABA, IFAAs etc.

At the end of the first days shoot they hold a top 10 shootout. The top ten scores from all divisions shootoff in front of everyone. Highest scorer goes first shooting 5 unmarked distances. Very exciting to watch and compete in........i wouldn't know because i haven't made a top 10 :)

All the rounds are unmarked from 0 to 50 yards. 10 targets per round, 5 rounds usually. They are know target assigments, just all scores must be completed by 12:00pm each day......you can start at 5.00am if you want. Lots of Kids Wifes shoot them.

The top guys shoot it very well and can really judge distances. Gauging is not allowed and if you are suspected of it....i repeat SUSPECTED proof not needed then your DQ'd for poor sportsmanship. :D
Brett Perlo from Cessnock won the QLD titles at Ipswich with 98,98,96, 100,100.

I shot 84,89,84,86,100 and came nowhere :)

They have a website http://www.3daaa.8m.com/

The 3D scene never really took off down in Vic SA did it? A lot of the former ABA/IFAA clubs up here quit ABA and went 3DAAA a number of years ago.

I like it....it's competitive plus they have a Semi Professional Division and compete for money.....stuff the trophies :)

[Marcus]

Very cool. That's something I could really get into. 3D isn't really shot here. Shame, I've shot it once and it was a blast. Can really see why it's huge in the US and QLD.

[Randall Wellings]

Hi Paul, just to bring you up to date, Rob Hines (Bluey) has had the helm for a few years now and is doing a real good job.
Bluey's 2IC, (Senior VP) Bob Wilson is also the intrim VP of IFAA (International).

There is a new element within the executive of ABA which is now totally approachable and they are prepared to listen. More importantly, they do accept critisism and acknowlege when they have been in error.
Jeff Bell in Victoria is VP for Field Archery and is a participating archer, Jeff's enthusiasm is very obvious and he to is very approachable.

Reading this, it does sound like a big suckup, but it isn't :wink: :wink:

Credit where credit is due and there is a nice change happening in the ABA exec. ranks.

Maybe, one day, there will be one Governing body, but?

[Kuru]

Would love to do 3-D but as Marcus says it isn't really shot much in Victoria. Maybe we could get kids to dress up in animal suits and ping shots at them ! haha Just kidding to all the parents out there :)

[Bruce]

I have been out of town for the weekend and was inerested to check this forum.
Currently we have 3 official 3 d tournaments plus a state title on our calender .

ABA when it first introduced 3d to victoria oppened it up to all . You didn't need to be in either association . But if you werent you had to prove that you were competent and safe . For some reason only a handful of archers from the dark side (oops I mean AV) tried this form of our sport . As the numbers of entrants weren't there from none aba members .ABA dropped this provision to reduce insurance costs. I still believe that it was the wrong game for AV archers and that we need to open up IFAA for av and aba interaction. Unfortunately as stated elsewhere , it will take some time and compromise from both governing bodys . But maybe someday soon someone will plough the paddock so as a seed can be sown.

It is pleasing for me in my position to see strong discussion on this topic as I see the change has to come from us the ARCHERS>.

It is pleasing to see both our vp and president being active archers . at least they can here the goings on . also all the branch exec for aba still are active archers and will be shooting around the state so as we can here what the members are saying

[2Dogs]

Bruce,

It would be good to see AA, ABA, and 3DAAA amalgamate in my lifetime.

I enjoy all forms of Archery from hunting to FITA and I hate having to join 3 different organisations. The money adds up, and I'm sure 1 combined organisation would get better insurance rates then 3 kinds.

Maybe this Public liability isurance drama will be the catalyst to get all parties talking.

When I want to play Golf I join my local Club and I'm a member of the AGU, I just wish Archery could be that simple down here.

We all seem to run around cutting each others throats.

[mike]

I've got to say as a relatively new archer, I have not really seen the political turmoil in any of the governing bodies, although i have witnessed some very questionable decisions.

The whole AA, AV ABA 3DAAA thing is a problem. For example, I don't shoot any ABA rounds (or IFAA or what ever all those other rounds outside FITA are -- they are way to complicated and there are way to many classes etc for me to be interested anyway) because I am not a member, and only have the time to go to one club anyway. If the "FITA clubs" offered ABA style rounds (as DVA wisely has started doing) as part of their regular competition, I would shoot them. It would introduce the rounds to us (which would be good considering most of us don't even know what a "Hunters" round is) and would get people more interested in field archery, which, if the US is anything to go by, is where all the money is. It might also bring a few ABA shooters back from the 'dark side'!!

I must admit though, that field is not my favourite form of the sport -- too much equipment hassles to shoot it well and not enough rhythm. I like target best, then indoor. And lets face it, even though it puts you in natural settings, most of us shoot in the same bloody natural setting week in week out!! I am content just to be in the great out doors shooting arrows.

If i went OS though, I would like to see some international field courses and shoot on them, such as the one in Cortina for the World Champs in 99.

[bigfella]

Well the Nationals in Brisbane next year MIGHT most likely not include the unmarked FITA Field round but instead an IFAA hunters round. Discussions are continuing about the format. Personally i don't know how they could do that, as it's the national FITA Field champs not the FITIFAA Champs :wink:

The Rumor is that FITA is discussing droping the unmarked round and adopting an IFAA style field round in an effort to attract more archers to field. The Unmarked scares off too many beginners.



I think, 2 Dogs that you might be a wee bit out in your assumptions re the field at the 2004 Nats.
My understanding is that it will be in the same format as 2003 with a 28 target marked Australian Round. Check the web site at
http://www.archerysqas.com/nationals2004/program.htm
and this should clarify the most imaginative rumours.
As to what FITA is doing that is anybody's guess :-?

[Madeleine Ferris]

Haven't got time to read all the posts on this one, but thought I'd better let everyone know that the 2004 AA Nats Field will be the same as for this year, i.e. 1 Marked FITA Field round and 1 Marked National Field round. This is the OLD FITA round which also happens to be somewhat similar to the IFAA round.

The all marked format was a fantastic success last year with nearly all archers competing in both the target and field so it is being trialled again next year.

By the way, the details for the entry forms are just being finalised and will be available on the SQAS and AA website shortly. We will be including a couple of new trial formats in the teams target matchplay and the team field event!!

Gotto go
Cheers

[bigfella]

Good on ya, Mad, bite that bloody 2 Dogs on the leg :fist:

[2Dogs]

Looks to me like your having another seniors moment Bigfella :wink:

If you noticed the date on my post you quoted, it was May 2002....refering to the 2003 Nationals.

And I believe it was a very accurate predicition :fist:

[bigfella]

:angel: