The following information is from our Director, Chuck Woodson:

!!! IMPORTANT INFORMATION !!!

READ THE ENTIRE E-MAIL –ALL ATHLETES AND PARENTS NEED TO BE AWARE OF THIS INFORMATION

In the above attachment you will find our 2010 AYSSP statistics…Once again, thank you for making this program the largest in the Nation!!!!

A few additions to help make the tournament run smooth…Please read the entire e-Mail… I know some of this information is repetitive but I want to make sure everyone is fully informed and understands all aspects of the tournament. I in know way want an athlete or team to suffer any disadvantage due to miscommunication.

Hunter Education Cards: All the athletes who have a Hunter Education Card will need to bring them to the tournament; If they visit Doris Hallford at the AYSSP Information Booth and show their card, they will be issued a special ribbon and can sign up for a grand prize drawing at the conclusion of the regional tournament…

30 minutes: Your squad has thirty minutes to complete their shooting…A timer will begin as soon as the line judge finishes the tournament rules and safety meeting.  This is the same format we have used in tournaments past… please have your athletes on deck ready to shoot thirty minutes prior to your scheduled time…

Competition Commands: Make sure your athletes are aware they will be issued the command “rotate” upon completion of their rounds. They are to act upon hearing this command. Their scores will be announced while they are rotating.  Make sure they know actions open and muzzle control is imperative. Safety First……..

Practice Logs:  Coaches you are required to bring ALL of your practice logs to your regional tournament, even if the athlete is no longer on the team. You may turn them in when you registration.  We will need to see the number of practices and shots all team members participated in…

AYSSP Tournament Registration:

Registration will begin at 7:30 AM each day. A team will be able to register anytime during the day up to one (1) hour before they are scheduled to compete. A coach must have his AYSSP ID card or some type of verification to register his team. Only the head coach will be allowed to register his/her team unless a request has been made by e-mail for one of his assistants to handle that duty. Student Packets will be given to the coach this will include the student’s ID, (which must be worn at all times), shell bag, along with a few surprises the Education Division would like to give the students for their hard work and dedication. These packets are for students who attend the tournaments only. Your packets were made up prior to your squad changes, if you deleted any athlete from your squad this student’s bag will be taken out at registration. Only students who attend the tournaments will receive the student packages.

A Coach may pre-register his/her team Thursday prior to their Friday Tournament date from 2:00 – 5:00 PM.

• Tournament Dates: By now I hope everyone has these dates embedded in their mind.

•  
  • North Region – May 1^st and 2^nd
  • West Region – May 8^th and 9^th
  • South Region – May 15^th and 16^th
  • East Region -  May 29^th and 30^th
  • State Tournaments – June 5^th and 6^th

• Directions to Remington Gun Club: = Take exit 169 from Interstate 40 West of Lonoke. Turn South onto Highway 15 toward England. Go approximately (1) one mile. Turn right (West) into the Remington Gun Club.  We will have signs from the interstate to the Gun Club. Please park where the AGFC Personnel directs you.

• Parking: A specific parking area next to the Remington clubhouse will be designated for the coaches’ vehicle (only one vehicle per team) and will house the team’s shotguns while the students are not in competition. This is a limited parking area. I need each head coach to e-mail me the name they will want on the parking pass. Passes are being pre-made for the Officers to hand out at the gate and displayed in the vehicle window. All others will park in the visitor parking areas directed by AGFC personal. Officers will be providing security for this area.

•  
  • Spectator Parking: Due to the field being to soft to park all the visitors vehicles: All vehicles not authorized to park inside the gate will be parked at the auction parking lot (The next driveway south of the Remington Gun Club) Officers will be on site to direct everyone to the proper parking. AGFC Buses and Vans will run continually throughout the entire tournament for your convenience. Those of you who participated last year know we had to do this and it ran very smoothly.  

•  
  • Student Drop Off: A parent will be allowed to enter the secured parking area only to drop students and their firearm off at the competition sites. They will be required to check in with the Officer on duty at the gate. They will not be allowed to stay in the secured parking area...

• Expenses:  Targets and shot shells will be provided for the competition.  The athlete will be responsible for bringing their eye and ear protection.

• Shirts/hats for sale: Just like last year AYSSP Shirts and hats will be for sale. These will be available at the AYSSP Information Booth. All proceeds go toward the AGFC Scholarship fund. The shirts are a new design from last year and we have pink available also.

• Food: I know last year some of you were disappointed with the vendor, so this year we are bringing in someone proven!!!!  If you attended the state tournament you will recognize him and will know his food is good and he will be prepared.  The menu will include hot dogs, catfish, barbecue, and other items all at affordable prices…but as always coolers or tailgating will be allowed on the premises.

• Lodging:  Arrangements for overnight lodging will be the coach’s responsibility. Remington Gun Club does have some campsites available on site if you are interested in reserving one of these sites you will need to contact them to make those arrangements; you may contact Bronson Castleberry at 501-676-2677.   Below you will find a list of hotels in the area along with phone numbers:

                                      * Super 8 Motel – 501-676-8880

                                      * Holiday Inn Express – 501-676-7800 Ext. 412

                                      * Days Inn – 501-676-5138

• Safety: Security will be on site at the gate and through-out the tournament.
  • NO ammunition is allowed on site, if anyone is found with any; this will be immediate grounds for team disqualification. This includes coaches/parents/athletes. All ammunition is provided.  
  • NO athlete/coach/parent will be allowed to walk around freely with their shotgun in their possession.  The only time this is allowed will be walking to, from, and during competition.  During this time actions must be opened and shotguns unloaded, failure to abide by these rules will result in student’s disqualification from the tournament.
  • If at anytime an athlete is deemed to be acting in an unsafe manner this will be grounds for disqualification.
  • NO one other than the students, judges, puller, scorer or other AGFC Staff will be allowed onto the competition field. The coach is only allowed on the competition field to introduce his/her squad and is then required to leave.(AYSSP Handbook -Appendix A-Competition protocol rule #5) Competition fields will be clearly marked by signage and monitored closely by AGFC personnel. The only exception to this will be if accompanied by the AYSSP Coordinator.

• Competition Field Set-up: Remington Gun Club has nine competition fields we will be utilizing.  All fields have been inspected by me personally and I will assure you each will be set to ATA standards...All fields will have voice activated units, the same exact equipment.  

• Tournament Elimination rounds: Due to the overwhelming response we have had for the program this year and the time constraints involved with this many students we have elected to change the elimination process. We will be taking the top sixteen squads out of each division/region and advancing them to the State Tournament. If a team advances to the State Tournament we will automatically be in a 64 team bracket and will hold single elimination rounds until the state champs are left standing.

• Teams are required to be on deck 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time to compete. There is no exception to this rule; failure to be on time will result in disqualification.

• Scoring: Scores will be tallied and posted at the media center. This will be the only location team totals will be posted. Make sure your teams/captains are aware their score keeper of line judge will not total the team scores for them.

• Visitors: The Education Division has sent invitations to many of our States Dignitaries and media personnel. We encourage teams to bring family and friends to watch the competition. As explained earlier a food vendor will be provided for visitors to purchase food and drinks. Coolers and lawn chairs will be allowed. Visitors will not be required to register or pay for parking. As with the competitors and coaches, visitors must abide by the no ammunition and no guns allowed on the premises. Upon request transport will be provided for any handicap visitors from the parking area to the competition fields.

• Award Ceremony:  There will be an awards ceremony at the end of each day/division. A team trophy will be awarded to the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place along with each individual team member receiving an individual medal.

A tournament with this many students will only be a success if safety is our top priority and the communication lines stay open. Please make sure that all your parents, assistant coaches, and athletes understand a no tolerance policy concerning; no ammunition allowed on the premise, firearm safety procedures of Muzzle Control, Shot gun unloaded, and Actions Opened will be strongly implemented.  We ask that you continue to stress it each time you practice with your students.  Please make sure everyone understands the consequences if they fail to follow these guidelines. Please feel free to call me or e-mail me if you have any questions. Thank you for all your help and for your continued dedication to this program.

Safety First !!!!

Chuck Woodson

Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports Coordinator

Education and Outreach Division

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Phone : 501-230-4738

Fax: 501-223-6310

E-Mail : jdwoodson@agfc.state.ar.us

We will have our 2nd shooting practice Thursday evening...meet at the church at 5 with guns and shell bags, hearing protection and safety glasses...you are responsible for bringing these items...I will have the ammo and targets.  We will be practicing at Bismarck once again at the same place as last time with Bro. Mark Clampet assisting.

Sunday at 1:30 we will have our third practice at the same place...same things apply.

Parents are welcome to attend practices but as per the regulations set up by the Game and Fish Comm., only certified coaches can assist the shooters while they are on the line so parents, please keep that in mind...nothing personal!  We are very happy for your help!

Our South Regional Tournament is rapidly approaching and teams will be finalized based strictly on the scores from Sunday's shoot so come prepared to do your very best!