I think this could be very interesting to see how it plays out. I have been playing the game for a few years, due to work and family priorities only get to attend a few regional matches a year. Planning on shooting my first pro match at Clinton House in the spring.
I would like to see more of an emphasis being placed on the type of person and competitor/sportsman being sponsored. The mid pack guys that are in it for the long haul, invite there buddies to a local NRL22 or outlaw match, loan out rifles and try to share their love of all things precision rifle are what feeds the growth of this sport. They are the ones that need support and mentorship.
I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and training some with one of the top PRS competitors over the last few years and I can tell you, there is a reason why those top 20 guys keep being the top 20 guys. They train A LOT! They shoot almost daily and usually dry fire for hours upon hours to climb the ladder. Many of them have left their jobs/careers and started working in the industry to support the schedule and lifestyle of being at the top of the sport.
I feel like there are so many matches these days and the barrier to being competitive is getting bigger and bigger. Starting to see match attendance fall off a bit. I’m afraid we are getting to the point of the top 10% being that group that’s always going to be at the top. The middle 70% being a revolving door that turns over ever 2-5 years and the bottom 20% try it out and never come back because they are overwhelmed and feel unwelcome.
Just some thoughts, but I think we need to feed that middle class much more then the top tier if we want the sport to continue to grow. At that point all they really need is barrels and reloading components, anyway.
Thanks for being willing to jump in. I have to admit, I didn’t see this one coming!
I would like to see more of an emphasis being placed on the type of person and competitor/sportsman being sponsored. The mid pack guys that are in it for the long haul, invite there buddies to a local NRL22 or outlaw match, loan out rifles and try to share their love of all things precision rifle are what feeds the growth of this sport. They are the ones that need support and mentorship.
I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and training some with one of the top PRS competitors over the last few years and I can tell you, there is a reason why those top 20 guys keep being the top 20 guys. They train A LOT! They shoot almost daily and usually dry fire for hours upon hours to climb the ladder. Many of them have left their jobs/careers and started working in the industry to support the schedule and lifestyle of being at the top of the sport.
I feel like there are so many matches these days and the barrier to being competitive is getting bigger and bigger. Starting to see match attendance fall off a bit. I’m afraid we are getting to the point of the top 10% being that group that’s always going to be at the top. The middle 70% being a revolving door that turns over ever 2-5 years and the bottom 20% try it out and never come back because they are overwhelmed and feel unwelcome.
Just some thoughts, but I think we need to feed that middle class much more then the top tier if we want the sport to continue to grow. At that point all they really need is barrels and reloading components, anyway.
Thanks for being willing to jump in. I have to admit, I didn’t see this one coming!
