World Shooting Para Sport agrees changes

“We are always looking for ways that we can make improvements and the start of the new Paralympic cycle is a good time to take stock as we move into the next four years.”

The frequency of World Championships, training for officials and classifiers and visually impaired shooting were some of the topics discussed by World Shooting Para Sport’s Sport Technical Committee (STC) in Bonn, Germany, recently.

Following the reappointment of the STC for another four year term, some modifications to the structure of the group was agreed. Two new roles of Head of Education and Officiating and Head of Education were added, with the process opened for National Paralympic Committee’s (NPCs) to submit nominations now open.

It was also agreed that World Championships should happen every two years, increasing the frequency from every four. Exactly when this will come into effect is still to be determined.

Local Organising Committee budgets were a major focus, with the STC keen to reduce costs and make competitions more viable.

Ghislaine Briez, Chairperson of the STC, said: “We had a very productive meeting where we were able to discuss a great many subjects in detail. This led to some changes to the competition cycle as well as how we continue to expand the reach and quality of the sport.

“We are always looking for ways that we can make improvements and the start of the new Paralympic cycle is a good time to take stock as we move into the next four years.”

As well as the development of the shotgun discipline, World Shooting Para Sport has been conducting research into visually impaired shooting. Progress with the classification research for these athletes was considered with further updates to be shared later in 2017.

After successful competitions at Rio 2016, attention turned to the next Paralympic cycle. The aim is to publish the dates and locations for competitions in the lead-up to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games further in advance.

Moving to the development of the sport more widely, the STC agreed that judge and classifier training needed to be reviewed. Coach education and supporting smaller NPCs to create pathways in shooting Para sport was also explored.