Master Bowman score increase?

I have heard a roumour that the GNAS are going to increase the score needed for gents compound. At the moment a fita is 1278 and 1168 for a York. Any one else heard about this and has more detail?

[Shirt]

Possibly... going to something along the lines of 1300 for MB and 1350 for GMB. If you look at the numbers claiming MB in a year, it seem to be disproportionately large for gents compound, and MB is meant to be 5% of total (or less - Christ knows what exactly, but something like that).

Don't worry too much about it, it's still in the "vague something we're thinking of" stage and if it gets any further they're required to give you 12 months notice or something...

[Stace]

Forgive my ignorance but why would they even consider changing it?

Is it because technology has helped with increased scores or that archers are better than they used to be?

Why have these MBs etc if they make them near impossible for 'normal' people to obtain?

[tel]

Originally Posted by Stace

Forgive my ignorance but why would they even consider changing it?

Is it because technology has helped with increased scores or that archers are better than they used to be?

Why have these MBs etc if they make them near impossible for 'normal' people to obtain?

If 'normal' people could obtain them then the elite would need another badge!

[Max]

I have a real problem with the kind of thinking that decides classifications on the basis of elitist attitudes. Either you achive a given score and you get your award or you don't. We should not start thinking - "hell, there were over 60 compounds at the masters this year, we don't want to dilute the top 5% rule, so lets hog tie all but the golden boys"

Technology has improved, but that does not necessarily make it easier to shoot - often the opposite is true - faster, more sophisitcated bows can punish bad form (look at the Hoyt FX recurve limbs for example), so you could argue that skill levels have had to improve to match the technology as well.

I can live with a gradual readjustment of ALL classification levels based on true averages of tournament results submitted from all UK Record Status shoots, but not if it is being done to preserve an elitist ideal.

[Shirt]

Actually, I think it's only been done for gents compound because it's the most obvious area with a problem. I think to obtain the same cut for gents recurve it'd probably go to about 1210 for MB, ladies recurve somewhere similar. God knows ladies compounds, I don't think there are enough of them to actually find anything statistically significant so it probably wouldn't move at all...

[Murray]

It seems to me all that will happen is more Bowman standard archers out there. So that will be de-valued too Unless they up the score for that too. As I see it, a standard is a standard. Why not introduce another level, like GMBE, Grand Master Bowmen Elite? And save the Masters qualification level to GMB only, problem sorted.

If the stakes to acheive MB get too high I guess a lot of "normal" people will just take up fishing instead.

In my case I better pull my finger out, get MB for this year and look at buying Carp weekly next year.

[Max]

Originally Posted by Murray

Elitist ideal - nah. The purpose of the classification schemes is to provide a means to measure and reward (even though it's only a badge) progress. If it's too "easy" to shoot MB with a compound, then it devalues MB. I know this feels tough for those trying to achieve it, but in reality it makes sense to retain MB for a small percentage, and GMB for the extreme minority. The only way to maintain the percentages, is to move the goal posts in relation to actual figures.

IMO, there are more MB male compound archers now because:
(a) there is a larger population of male archers taking up compound, hence a larger "talent" pool.
(b) coaching is improving and information is much more available to the masses on how to shoot well, tune well, etc.
(c) equipment is improving and a wider range is available to suit the needs of individuals.
(d) more people are perhaps putting more time in to reach their goals.

Fully agree with all your points Murray, but the problem I have is this idea that the more people achieve a goal the less it is worth. Improved coaching and instruction make better archers, so you would expect more MB and GMB archers - what is wrong with that? Just because lot of people climb Everest, does not make it any easier to do.

Make the MB and GMB scores reflect what is being shot in tournaments of course, but don't create an exclusive club where there is only so much room at the top in percentage terms.

It is still damned hard to achieve MB with a compound, but you can currently get there by hard work on your own - just. If you make it near impossible to achieve without access to top level support and coaching, then you exclude many archers (like me) who simply don't have access to that kind of resource.

[Adam]

I'm in complete agreement with Murray.

I have no problem with the bar being raised for MB/GMB classification. It's in the nature of sport (all sports) that the bar is constantly raised. Having to push that bit harder for the reward is a large part of what motivates and improves competitors.

I suspect that the Gents Compound scores will be raised to around 1295 for MB and 1340-45 for GMB but, as someone pointed out earlier in the thread, this probably couldn't take effect before the 2008 season.

Adam

All that will happen is less people keeping archery as a sport, If it's too difficult for the "normal club" archer to gain MB they will quit.

My plan is to pull my finger out, get MB this year and take up fishing or knitting or something before the GNAS bugger it all up again.