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Badges

For the sake of clarity, badges are awarded to the relevant overall Champion (either Regional or County) as well as to category winners in all the disciplines we support. We do NOT award badges to 'class' winners. There is a difference between 'class' and 'category' - amply explained in the CPSA's current General and Technical Rules book (also known as 'Booklet 1') but in simple terms 'class' means the lettered classes where there is a potential to win money (provided the competition prize fee has been paid) as opposed to 'targets-only' which has a lower entry fee - the prize 'fund' being made up of this difference in fees.

All competitors will fall into a 'Category' namely 'Senior' - i.e. 21 years old, but under 60, 'Veteran' - i.e. over 60 years of age, 'Ladies' - i.e. female gender at birth (but also refer to para.15.02 in Booklet 1 concerning gender reassignment), 'Colts' - i.e. under 16 years of age, and finally 'Juniors' - i.e. over 16 but under 21 years of age. There is another category of 'Super Veteran' - i.e. 65 years or older, but this category is used in specific Championships - usually International or World events - when the qualifying age of 'Veteran' changes to 55 years and over, but under 65 years. This category is also used in FITASC events as these are run under a different jurisdiction to the CPSA, although supported by it. FITASC events do not recognise a 'Colt' category - they are classed as 'Juniors'.

There are several important points to note and understand about 'Categories';

1. The category a competitor falls into is not defined by shooting ability.

2. A person may be in two or more categories at the same event - a female 'Colt' or 'Junior' for example, or a female competitor over 65 years of age. There is no bar to such persons winning badges in both categories at the same event, provided they have the highest score in each of those categories.

3. The (Regional or County) Champion will obviously fall into a least one category, so a female (Lady) Junior who is also the High Gun at that event would win three badges - Champion, Junior and Lady. Similarly, a Veteran who is the High Gun at a Championship would take home two badges - Champion and Veteran (or Super-Veteran if a FITASC event and he or she is aged over 65 years). 

4. This Region (nor the CPSA in general) does not award any badges in the 'Senior' category - if the High Gun is a Colt, Junior, Lady or Veteran - the highest scoring male over 21 but under 60 (i.e. the 'Senior') does not receive any category badge. This anomaly appears unfair, possibly discriminatory, and has been highlighted to the Management Board of the CPSA several times but shows no sign of being changed any time soon.

All competitors and Championship organisers should make themselves aware of the importance of claiming or presenting badges to the right category winner(s), to prevent an embarrassing situation whereby a person receives either the wrong category badge(s) or a badge he or she is not entitled to.

Thank you for your co-operation.

 

Terry Deakin

North Region CPSA Chairman"