Participant Eligibility

GROUPING ATHLETES

NYSSA DIVISIONS

There are three competitive groupings or divisions within NYSSA. These divisions, determined by school grade level, are designed to allow participants to compete on a level playing field with one another. GRADE LEVEL in school, NOT AGE, is the criterion used to populate the divisions.

Rookie Division……….Grades 5 and under

Intermediate Division…..Grades 6-8

Senior division…..grades 9-12

CLASSIFICATION RULES

1. Athletes in the higher category in ANY discipline will be classified automatically in that same category in all disciplines for which they are registered. For example, an athlete in the intermediate advanced or senior varsity category in skeet will be in that category for trap and sporting clays.

2. First year athletes in the intermediate division will have ONE YEAR to be classified in the entry level category. After one year in the entry level category, intermediate division athletes will be classified in the advanced category.

3. First year athletes in the senior division will have ONE YEAR to be classified in the junior varsity category. After one year in the junior varsity category, senior division athletes will be classified in the varsity division.

USAYESS DIVISIONS

There are three competitive groupings or divisions within USAYESS. These divisions, determined by school grade level, are designed to allow participants to compete on a level playing field with one another. GRADE LEVEL in school, NOT AGE, is the criterion used to populate the divisions.

Rookie Division……….Grades 5 and under

Intermediate Division…..Grades 6-8

Senior division…..grades 9-12

TEAM FOCUS

The RMCB is a TEAM BASED youth development Club. The intent of the RMCB is to provide participants with the opportunity to be a member of a TEAM. A team is composed of individuals who are committed to a common goal and who work together regularly to achieve that goal. Ultimately, to achieve this unity of purpose, team members should spend quality time together in activities other than just shooting. Team members should practice on a regular basis with their team and are expected to participate in team fundraising efforts and community service projects.

DEFINITION OF RMBC TEAM

A RMCB team is defined as a group of individual athletes registered under a head coach. There is no upper limit to a number of athletes on a team. A team may have squads or individuals in some or all the divisions.

DISTINCTION BETWEEN TEAM AND SQUAD

A TEAM: The entire group of athletes registered under a head coach. Each team is assigned a team ID number.

A SQUAD: Is a subdivision of a team and is the competitive unit for RMCB competition.

COMPETITIVE SQUAD

A RMCB squad that meets the category and division criteria is considered a valid COMPETITIVE SQUAD and is eligible to enter and compete. A valid competitive squad for the discipline of TRAP, SKEET and SPORTING CLAYS consists of FIVE athletes. There is NO UPPER LIMIT to the number of individuals that can be registered on a team; thus, no limit to the number of squads per team. SEVERAL squads on a single TEAM may be entered in the same competition.

IRREVOCABLE DECISION

Participants may not be a member of nor compete for more than one team in a specific discipline.

CHERRY PICKING

“Cherry Picking” individuals from within or from outside a state to form either a local team or a “State All-Star team” is strictly prohibited. “Cherry Picking” is putting together a group of “Hot Shots,” “All-stars” or “Paper Team” to compete. This practice runs counter to the letter and the spirit of the RMCB and is expressly prohibited.

ATHLETES AND/OR COACHES VIOLATING THIS RULE WILL BE SUSPENDED AND MAY BE REMOVED FROM THE PROGRAM!

TEAM REQUIREMENTS

HEAD COACH

Every team MUST have a head coach who is 21 years of age or older. The first and foremost responsibility of the head coach is to ENSURE THE SAFETY of all participants. Head coaches MUST emphasize the safe handling and use of firearms in every facet of the scholastic clay target program and must be willing to conduct the “Required practices”.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE:

Violation of this rule voids the volunteer liability insurance policy coverage, disqualifies the team from entering an event, and may result in the removal of the head coach.

REQUIRED PRACTICES

Coaches must conduct a minimum of SIX team practice sessions — each on a separate day — for the team members with each team member shooting a minimum of 25 targets at each practice session. Team members must attend a minimum of Six team practice sessions in order to be eligible to shoot in a State or National Championship Event. Registered shoots are NOT to be counted as practice sessions.

TEAM FUNDING

Individual club members are responsible for their own funding, including but not limited to practice, travel, shooting fees and shells.