W.A.F.T.A   A.G.M.  - CHAIRMAN'S REPORT For Year 2003

I am pleased that to report that we continue to have good and in some cases increasing club membership with attendances at inter club shoots (eight in Summer and eight in Winter), averaging around 40 to 50.

Highlights of the year: -

¨       HOME INTERNATIONAL – The famous or infamous Scotland Trip was once more staged and this time, due to spare places on the Coach, a full ‘supporters club’ travelled with the team. The weekend was by all accounts a great success, even though we still ‘retained’ our Second place to England.

Scotland still are concerned about our Avon Hawks members representing Wales and have tabled another motion to BFTA defining eligible shooters as those either residing in the home country for which they shoot or claiming nationality by way of birth or that of one of their parents. This will be further discussed at January’s BFTA Meeting.

¨       THE WELSH OPEN - another successful event which was commented on very favourably by other shooters and at BFTA meetings. This was the first GP to utilise the new system of 2 shotgun starts over 2 separate periods, with targets repainted during the interval. We also utilised a booking system for the first start, which seemed to work very well. However, side shoots were not appreciably more successful this year than last, even though we had assumed that more shooters would utilise them while waiting their turn to shoot.

¨       WAFTA/SWEFTA Shoot – Held in Castleton and once again I am pleased to report a Welsh Victory.

¨       B/GWENT Event – As previously, B/Gwent Field Target Club was involved with Merthyr Tydfil Council's Event at Cyfarthfa Castle during both the May and August Bank Holidays, generating good local publicity and ensuring that the responsible side of Air Rifle shooting comes to the notice of the public.

¨       WEB SITE – Again I am pleased to thank John White for his dedication in continuing to produce our excellent Web Site and would take this opportunity to ask all members to provide articles about their club and reports of their shoots for inclusion.

On WAFTA's behalf I attended two BFTA meetings. The issue of Hunter/Sporting Rifle competitions (as a side shoot) does not seem to be as urgent as before and it appears that the two Shooting Sports will develop separately but with liaison to ensure that the dates of national competitions will not clash.

Again I am pleased to thank on all our behalf Hilary and David Gage, our excellent joint secretariat, which again have attended all BFTA meetings ensuring that we receive reports. Thank you both also for the efficient manner in which you have ensured that the Region runs so efficiently.

Thanks again to our Treasurer, Gwyn Robinson, who continues to balance the books and tries to keep us on the financial straight and narrow (and as an ex Bank Manager, I know that that must take some doing!).

Finally and not least, I would thank John Johnson for continuing to keep our stats updated despite his globetrotting work schedule.

As I mentioned in my opening sentence, we have continued to maintain our sport despite pressures from various outside bodies and I am particularly pleased to see young members joining our Sport and being encouraged to improve their prowess for it is with this new ‘life blood’ that we will continue to develop.

John Lewis Chairman