Clay Pigeon Shooting Association

[Worcs]

As I've already made clear, I think the name should change. It'll benefit the sport in the long run and better reflect what we do. I just want the governing body to get on with doing it, just like the Welsh and Scottish associations have. 

I don't want hours of debate, members votes or more money spent. The sport has far more pressing concerns than this.

Do you know if there is any evidence from Wales or Scotland that changing the word "pigeon" to "target" has had any positive effect in either increased numbers taking up shooting clays or improvement in public perception of the sport?

I'm 36 and just started shooting last year but I knew what a clay pigeon was since I was a toddler. Regardless of what the CPSA wants to call its self, it wont change the name of the sport, it's always going to be clay pigeon shooting, at least for as long as most of us are alive.

 

[CharlesP]

Funny isn't it - the name "Clay Pigeon Shooting Association" clearly and unequivocally announces that we shoot inanimate things. Nobody thinks we do otherwise.

Yet here we have the suggestion that squandering a fortune on a name change might benefit the outfit in some way.

What threat to its existence could the CPSA possibly ward off with this initiative?

Is it more serious than noise complaints? Is it the reason for us having a dwindling number of places to shoot clays in Dorset? Is it going to help the fact that there are so very few Registered ESP shoots near here? Will it bring flocks of new shooters into the sport wearing expressions of relief now that they understand there's no actual live quarry involved? Will mothers no longer feel the need to block their children's ears when the Association's name is uttered?

 

[Lord v]

As I've already made clear, I think the name should change. It'll benefit the sport in the long run and better reflect what we do. I just want the governing body to get on with doing it, just like the Welsh and Scottish associations have. 

I don't want hours of debate, members votes or more money spent. The sport has far more pressing concerns than this.

As a complete newbie, 0 family or friends background in shooting sports and grew up in a pretty urban environment I am probably one of the closest to being representative an 'outsider' or member of the general public as you will find on this forum.

I can honestly say a name change from pigeon to target would not make a jot of difference to the general populace. I honestly doubt that even 2% of the population are aware the CPSA exist. Frankly the lack of exposure means that the name isn't an issue because no one knows it! There is no 'public image problem' because there is no public image. That's a larger problem. Even if people were aware of the association, they know what a clay pigeon is. Hell, they are referred to as just 'clays' 90% of the time anyway, so why bother with the 'target'? I realise my opinion counts for squat; but honestly - spend the funds publicizing to new markets instead of the same old crowd, it will work out better than changing the name.   

There is also a world beyond the CPSA, people who shoot just for fun and couldn't give a fig about competing and those who just do it for the social side. Also those who want a bit of off season practice for game. None of those people will give a crap about the name either.      

I used to belong to archery clubs and shoot quite regularly, I witnessed the same thing when GNAS went to ArcheryGB for much the same reasons. Cost a fortune, saw members and clubs disappear up their own backsides with self importance and guess what impact it had on membership? Pretty much nada. As I shot for fun, rarely competed other than the odd postal it honestly made no difference to me what they were called, and very very definitely made no difference to my mates who didn't shoot. Neither did it make it more likely to take it up.  

Pretty much guarantee that this will be the same story again. Happy to put a tenner on it.

 

[ips]

good post lord V ?

 

[ehb102]

I'll consider any name change proposal when it comes as a proper proposal, with aims, benefits, disadvantages and costs all laid out. Talking about it without any research is just people airing their opinions. 

"bringing England into line with everyone else" is a valid reason if there is evidence of any disadvantage caused by the current situation that would be replaced with a benefit from the change.

 

[Hamster]

For those having identification problems :

 

[Worcs]

For those having identification problems :

View attachment 6173

What is that around the leg of that clay!?

 

[ips]

For those having identification problems :

View attachment 6173

View attachment 6174

brilliant. Pmsl ?

 

[Xaphan]

Honestly I think Lord V hit the nail right on the head.

I come from a similar background to which he describes pretty urban with no friends or family who shoot...  I went on a clay shoot that a pub organised which was local to a friend. my friend had never shot before either..... That's how I got into shooting.

I'd never heard of CPSA before I got into shooting and I certainly knew the difference between a clay pigeon and an actual pigeon, anyone who has watched the Olympics will know the difference.

changing the name won't make any difference to exposure of the association the money would be better spent elsewhere.  

 

[chippy]

What is that around the leg of that clay!?

That's called a flash pigeon.

 

[Worcs]

That's called a flash pigeon.

 ?

 

[Garwood]

Funny isn't it - the name "Clay Pigeon Shooting Association" clearly and unequivocally announces that we shoot inanimate things. Nobody thinks we do otherwise.

Yet here we have the suggestion that squandering a fortune on a name change might benefit the outfit in some way.

What threat to its existence could the CPSA possibly ward off with this initiative?

Is it more serious than noise complaints? Is it the reason for us having a dwindling number of places to shoot clays in Dorset? Is it going to help the fact that there are so very few Registered ESP shoots near here? Will it bring flocks of new shooters into the sport wearing expressions of relief now that they understand there's no actual live quarry involved? Will mothers no longer feel the need to block their children's ears when the Association's name is uttered?

What a good,concise summation of the realities of the matter .Well said !

 

[Darkside]

The CPSA takes a lot of stick, some of it is justified, what things do people want to see change for the better of the sport? I'm not a member, but I do enter 4-6 cpsa shoots every year. Changing the British Sporting to a qualifier with everyone starting on stand one with a quota from each class shooting a Sunday final has been a big positive for me. Everyone starting on stand one of the English sporting, shooting 120 over 15 stands is another welcome format. What do you all want to see happen...discuss!!!

 

[Jonny English]

The CPSA takes a lot of stick, some of it is justified, what things do people want to see change for the better of the sport? I'm not a member, but I do enter 4-6 cpsa shoots every year. Changing the British Sporting to a qualifier with everyone starting on stand one with a quota from each class shooting a Sunday final has been a big positive for me. Everyone starting on stand one of the English sporting, shooting 120 over 15 stands is another welcome format. What do you all want to see happen...discuss!!!

I have only just rejoined this last week after 19 years without membership, I have been shooting Grimsthorpe and Orston a bit and the Essex masters and the Jack Pyke etc without cpsa membership.

All I want is access to any shoot I can get the time to go to, in a class with similar abilitied shooters to pitch myself against, at competitions placed in the centre of the country close to a motorway so everyone has equal access and well run events that don't take an eternity or a lifetime to shoot because of delays or poor organisation, also with a good mix of testing and fulfilling targets. Other than that I'm pretty easy.

 

[Simbo]

Just arrived home from the Sussex AGM held @ Northall Clay PIGEON Club............. via the pub!

Not a single vote for change............enough said.............cheers

 

[schmokinn]

What i would like to see them do is see more put in at lower levels and less pointless and  useless miss spending.....

For example Competitors get a small grant to go to the USA  for the world sporting doesn't even get near the cost of the flights but i bet the committee go on expenses.

They spend the members money on what they like and achieve very little...i would love to know the costs of the recent awards at the Belfry a nice little jolly at our expense.

As we know Nick is watching this thread could we have an answer to the costs on the Awards and again an explanation of what the 50,000gbp listed in the yearly statement was for?

 

[Paul120]

They spend the members money on what they like and achieve very little...i would love to know the costs of the recent awards at the Belfry a nice little jolly at our expense.

I like to see people being rewarded if they have achieved  something special or worked hard to help others or the sport in general.

I personally don't have a problem with sort of event.  

In fact, society seemes to be cutting back on this sort of thing, especially in the workplace which is a shame as it sends out  a good motivational message to others and we're all better off for it IMO.

The synics and accountants are winning which is making life boring. 

 

[schmokinn]

I like to see people being rewarded if they have achieved  something special or worked hard to help others or the sport in general.

I personally don't have a problem with sort of event.  

In fact, society seemes to be cutting back on this sort of thing, especially in the workplace which is a shame as it sends out  a good motivational message to others and we're all worse of for it IMO.

The synics and accountants are winning which is making life boring. 

I have no issue with the awards being held...How,Where and what some of the awards are for raise questions.

do we really believe that we got the best VFM at the Belfry...i think not.

Some people deservedly were there...others just got to slap each other on the back.

The main thing is double standards...nice little jolly paid for,sending competitors to represent us internationally...pay for themselves!

 

[Neil Freshwater]

Gun ownership is always going to be taboo / un-PC in most people's eyes so any efforts are to be welcomed, although I am not sure what if any impact this would have, but no harm trying.  People seem to hate their membership organisation in any walk of life  Scotland, Wales and Ireland all use "target" in their respective associations as do BICTSF and ITCSC, so there is probably something to be said for consistency. It is very confusing to outside looking in, with "skeet" "trap" "clay pigeon shooting" etc being used interchangeably.

Northern Ireland prefer the feathered variety too   .

 

[schmokinn]

So at the SW regional agm we were poled by Terry Bobbett  on the name change....resoundingly in favour of staying as we are,No change.

Then we were told that somewhere Ooop North it was the other way....so obviously no matter what anyone says it is high on somebody's agenda.

I voted against change,personally i think it a devisive issue that should be forgotten and more important things considered instead of fannying around try to acheive something unnecessary.