Bill it is not that I have a totally different approach. I do see the benefits of using larger US shoots and the points system. I also do see how we can use a Canadian component to determine the teams. I also see that there may not be an easy way.
Using the larger shoots because of the higher number of competitors and the caliber of shooters does play a role to an extent. The biggest thing at this time that I see is if you want to win or place well one better be on there A GAME.
What is the difference if we used solely Canadian shoots?
Yes we do not have the numbers and I have to be CAREFUL when I say this the current Hall of Fame shooters from the NBRSA/IBS that are at the top of the leader board consistently.
Canada is a vast country just like the USA is. If memory serves me right, the last few US teams were choosen from shoots in the east and the west. The Cactus, The Rattlesnake, The Shamrock, East/West, and the NBRSA Nationals. Those are solely NBRSA shoots if I am correct.
So to say that we cannot determine Team Canada from solely Canadian shoots I do not buy it. Using points by the number of competitors one beats cuts out a lot of people. If one can AFFORD to travel they will be able to make the big shoots where there is the opportunity to make huge points. If one does not have that luxury of being able to financially afford it, they are out of the picture.
Living in the west the closest shoot for me in the US that would be worth going to try and gain points is the East/West. A good hard 17 hours drive with stops only for fuel, drive thru and a pee break. I am pretty sure I can do that in one day as I drove from Kansas City in 14 hours door to door. I guess I could fly as well but there is those costs. The fellas in Alberta have the Cactus. 2 days drive or a flight as well.
In the east how far would one have to go?
Honestly I think it should be about any Bench Rest shooter in Canada who has ever wanted to wear the Maple Leaf having a chance whether they can travel or not.
Anyways, what I would like to see is drop the points, NO point system. Use ones agg's. Keep it the same using 6 of your top Grand Agg's. Any combination of LV and HV. This way regardless of the amount of shooters at a shoot everyone has a chance as long as they are paid up and part of the Canadian Bench Rest team thru OFAH.
In the west we have enough shoots that it could be done soley with Candian shoots. In the east how many shoots are held? 1 or 2? if it is 2 even better. Then we go with the best of 2 Canadian shoots and ones choosing for a shoot in the US. If eastern Canada had 3 group shoots then we could do it solely in Canada. But in this case if there is not, we use 2 Canadian shoots and 1 US shoot. This way it allows one to shoose there shoot in the US. You may have a range that you favor or do particularily well at, well I guess that is where you will probably do your US shoot.
Finally like I said I would like to see the final spot a wildcard spot in the points system qualifying that is in place at this time. The wild card is regardless of where one shoots Canada or the US, that spot is filled by the top agg. Take your 6 top aggs in LV and HV ONLY. The best agg wins the Wild Card spot. Again you should be paid up with the Canadian Benchrest Team thru OFAH to qualify. Does that NOT make one spot a competitive spot? You could travel in the points system but have a poor points performance, but you still out agg everyone who did not travel and decided to put there eggs in just trying for the Wild Card spot.
Does this make sense?
??
As for our transplanted Canadians who live in the US and have been cleared by WBSF, they should have to shoot 1 Canadian shoot in the AGG qualifying process I mentioned earlier.
Regardless, using the excuse that we just do not have the shoots in Canada or the caliber of shooters up here does not cut it for me. If you want to make Team Canada you WILL give it your best effort at our few smaller Canadian shoots.
Like I said I have not near the accomplishments as many of the Eastern Canadian shooters who have put lots of time, effort, and money into the sport and Team Canada but man we need to INCLUDE every Canadian. I may not hold a World Record, or won an agg at the world's, or even shot a teen agg(no I have NEVER shot a teen agg, been very close) but I know I would do the BEST of my ability to represent our country and try and make the team.
Lawrence mentioned about stepping aside in 2009 for reasons, well I should step aside from the sport entirely for a few years as well for similar reasons but be damned if I am going to let the opportunity of a LIFETIME go unchanced. The lawyers will get there money, she will get hers, and I will do what I can to try and make Team Canada.
Like I said I am not just speaking this for myself but for every other Canadian who may not want to speak up, or may not be too computer savy, or may not want to rock the boat. Well I have spoken.
I am NOT saying the current process that was implemented is wrong (Heck I have talked with the AB guys about it at one point in time or another and liked it) but we need to make it a process that all Canadians can have the opportunity regardless of there financial situation.
That is it. All I can say on this.
Calvin