Any contenders in SA?

[bronxlive]

I can't speak for IPSC sponsorships but Nicholas Yale cc has been awesome in sponsoring me for IDPA shoots. This a step in the right direction and I can't speak highly enough of their willingness to help.

That's awesome news! Just for there involvement and backing of the sport shooters I will definitely turn to them and try to support them for future purchases.
I think that the sport shooters should really try to support gun shops like these because of their backing for local shooters.

Maybe someday at some big shooting events we can see some shops sponsoring and even just their presence (like stalls and display or demo's) would be nice. Just an example is the HBA guys coming to events to demo their NEA's.

[doubletap]

Hats off to all the Guys & Gals who competed and to those who brought back medals from Greece.

I'm not sure if I follow what Bronxlive is saying

"Not bashing anyone or company locally but (correct me if i'm wrong) are there any local shooters that's sponsored by any local company like PMP or CR-Speed or even Frontier that actually sponsors a USA shooter? Why? Cause there's no exposure.
That is just my opinion."

But we "CR Speed" sponsor many Overseas Shooters Including
5X IPSC World Champion Eric Grauffel and a host of other top Shooters.
Granted we aren't their only Sponsors.

On the Local front their are many Sponsors if you look at the SAPSA or SADPA
Websites. These Sponsors usually Sponsor the Events Eg: Lets say hypothetically
a National Match has 18 stages and has 150 Competitors paying R250 to enter
the Body wants R2500 Per Stage Per Sponsor. Then on this example the Sponsors
have subsidized more than 50% of the match.

If after all costs, RO's, Props, Targets, Staff etc. are paid for and the Match is
apart from being a successful match on the Shooting front and makes some money
this money goes back into the Club, Province, Body etc. and gets used to host a bigger better
match next time round.

on a side track. We are far from the US and most of us can't travel
there or to Europe on a semi regular basis to Shoot a match or Train and see
how we stack up. But he more everyone shoots practices etc. the higher SA
Will raise it's own bar.

[bronxlive]

Doubletap: I was trying to make a point that there are no local shooters with big sponsorship's like in the USA because of the fact that there is no local exposure. And that there is no local shooter shooting and practicing for "free"(sponsors supplying ammo and gear and travel costs etc.) like in the states so it's very difficult to compete against someone like that.

I've seen that you guys(cr-speed) sponsors big name guys and that is awesome to see a local company involved in the sport. I became familiar with your products when I started in the sport from seeing your products being used by some of the big name shooters on youtube video's.

[1911]

Sponsorship is a fickle thing. Most of us shoot because we love the game, the challenge, the camaraderie, the guns and the time spent on the range. It is a way to de-stress and to get away from all the other "stuff" we have to put up with in life and at work every day.

When you are sponsored, shooting, in essence, becomes another "job". To keep your sponsors happy, you have to perform and be at the top of your game. Suddenly the "game" becomes a stressfull and demanding mistress to all your other endeavours. Fully sponsored athletes of all sporting disciplines might not have it as cushy as we all think.

I have had a shooting related sponsor and am still sponsored for my other sporting endeavours. It was not something that could pay the bills or become a full time job, but it did and still does help to be able to compete. None of my sponsors have ever pressured me to perform or placed any demands for perfomance on me, but I know it does happen. I do however work my butt of to be the best I can be in order to give something back to th people that support me. I feel that I have a responsibility towards the time and money they invest in me. Thats why I train even on the days when everyone else takes it easy.


It is also wise to remember that you arent just a sponsored athlete when at the range or participating. Whatever you do or werever you go, you are still representing your sponsors. People are quick to point fingers at anything, and patiently answering questions at all times of night or day, while spending time with the family, or late for an appointment gets old very quickly. I am happy to say that I have not had too much of this exposure, but are around other sportsmen who have to deal with this regularly enough that I feel their pain. With regards to sponsorhip, it is thus wise to be carefull for what you wish for....

With regards to sponsorships in SA I want to add the following. We do not have a large enough market or enough exposure to warant fully sponsored shooters. It is the same for many sports and just a fact of life. There are however a couple of people in the industry that support our local shooters whenever they compete internationally, and many times even at local events.

Sponsorships in my mind doesnt just fall into being a fully supported competitor, every little bit helps. A free bottle of oil, someone knowledgable to quickly diagnose your gun/mag/holster trouble and provide a quick fix or replacement, a free cap or shirt, some bullets to try out, some prises towards your shoot or a discount towards a purchase. All these things we take for granted, but they still cost the supplier money and you get it for free. Isnt that " a sponsorship" as well?

Let us all think about this a bit and then support the people who also support us. Its mutually beneficial, and welcome to being a sponsored shooter!

[doubletap]

Thanks 1911 & No offence taken Bronxlive, Was just not following you there.

Sponorship IE Money would be great
but can someone please Sponsor me more Time!