Southampton Buccaneers Field Target Club

SOUTHAMPTON BUCCANEERS FTC (The Club)

The principal objective of the Southampton Buccaneers FTC is to support, encourage and promote all aspects of the sport of air rifle field target shooting. The Club is affiliated to the British Field Target Association (BFTA) through the Central Southern Field Target Association (CSFTA) and will abide by the rules, regulations and constitution of the BFTA.

The Club’s ground is near Ridge (South of Romsey) and is leased from the Broadlands Estate.

Rules and Regulations

Membership is offered on the condition of acceptance and abidance with these rules.

General:

Due to planning restraints, the Club may meet a maximum of 28 times per year. There will be advance notice of Club days, however, in the case of adverse weather or a clash in the shoot calendar we may be forced to postpone or cancel a day’s shoot at short notice.  The land we shoot on is agricultural and may mean that a club day is abandoned mid shoot as the needs of our landlord will always come first.  The Club can not guarantee that there will be the full 28 club days per annum.

The Club's calendar shall be set by the committee and may change from time to time to accommodate competitions or when other commitments prevent at least 2 committee members being present.

No one will be permitted to shoot at the Club Grounds on a non Club day.

No one will be permitted to shoot at the grounds on club days unless a Committee member is present and the range has been declared open

All shooters must abide by the safety regulations required under legislation, set out in the BFTA instruction manual and those contained within this web site.

All members should ensure that they are holders of a valid BFTA registration card and SBFTC membership card. Proof of membership to The Club may be requested by Broadlands Estate Staff or other tenants in neighbouring areas to the Club Ground.  The club shall arrange for members to obtain a BFTA card at the members own cost.

Air guns of any calibre which comply with the statutory limitations in force at the time of the Club day may be used.  FAC air guns may not be used at the Club.

Shooting of wildlife is strictly prohibited and could result in an immediate suspension from the Club.

There will be limited key-holders and, as per our agreement with Broadlands Estate, we have one key and spare keys cannot be cut. The key-holders are responsible for ensuring that the Ground is unlocked on a Club Day and securely locked up at the end of each Club Day.

Ongoing subscription for membership is due on January 1^st and July 1^st of each year. Due to insurance requirements, non-payment of subscriptions, one month after these dates will be considered as a cessation of membership. 

Membership may only be offered after a minimum probationary period of 5 paying visits in which the safety of the prospective member will be assessed.  The Club reserves the right to refuse membership or extend the probation period if the prospective member does not demonstrate an adequate level of safety awareness, or has not abided to the Clubs rules and regulations including those regarding range safety.

Junior members are welcome, but must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian aged 21 or over.  The Club is unable to supervise Juniors and their parent or guardian must be present at the club for the duration of their visit. 

Prospective members are required to disclose any previous convictions which may prevent them from acquiring, possessing or using an air gun.  In relation to the firearm act 1968 convictions are never spent, and any conviction of 3 months or more carries a 5 year ban.  Should any members circumstances change in relation to this condition they must promptly advise the Committee accordingly.  If the member is banned under the 1968 act from owning, acquiring or using an air weapon their membership will be immediately terminated with no refund.

Prospective members are advised (this is not a compulsory requirement but is recommended) to disclose any current medical conditions they may have.  The club does not discriminate on grounds of disability or medical condition, however, some conditions such as uncontrolled epilepsy may lead to a member injuring themselves or others.  Due to the relatively remote location of the club and it's lack of cover it is recommended that members should advise the committee of any medical conditions such as diabetes and where appropriate provide training the committee to allow assistance to be provided if required and to help spot early symptoms.  Any decision regarding membership would be made wholly on the basis of safety and would be made with the full involvement of the prospective member.  As a guide, if you are prevented from holding a full UK drivers licence on medical grounds you will not be able to shoot.  We would review this on a case by case basis if required and may require the prospective member to provide a letter from their Doctor at their own cost to support their application for membership.

The Range Officer or any Committee member shall have absolute authority during Club days or Club events regarding safety. It is a condition of membership (including probationary) that you agree to abide in full to any decision communicated by a Committee member or Range Officer on the grounds of safety during any club activity.  This does not diminish your ability to appeal any decision at a later date.

Any infringement of a Club rule or regulation may result in a temporary suspension or cancellation of membership. Suspensions or a cancellation of membership are at the discretion of the Club Committee and the Club Committee would also hear any appeal to such a decision.  No refund will be made for unexpired membership.

No refunds will be made for unexpired memberships that are terminated either by the member or by the Committee.

All members shall treat each other with respect and without prejudice.

The club shall not tolerate any behaviour of a discriminatory, sexist or racist nature and may terminate membership as a result.

The Club expects all members to behave in a manner that promotes both the Club and the sport in a positive way.  Any action (which includes any actions taken outside of the Club and which may not directly contravene any of the Clubs rules and regulations) that brings either the Club or the sport into disrepute may lead to suspension or termination of membership.

Club Days:

The Ground will be opened at 9:00am and will close at 12.30 am on a Club Day.  The Club may extend this period at its option on a case by case basis but is at the discretion of the committee members present at the time.  Club days may be shortened at the discretion of the committee.

The Main Gate to the Car Park MUST be closed behind each car on entry and on leaving the Club Ground. This is a primary condition of our Tenancy agreement. Breach of this regulation could result in an immediate suspension from the Club.

To meet insurance regulations, all shooters should sign-in before starting to shoot on a Club day.

All members are expected to help in the setting out and clearing away of shoot equipment on a Club day.

The Committee:

The Committee will consist of a minimum of 3 elected members.

Elections to the Committee will occur annually.

The Committee will be responsible for ensuring that all shooters are aware of local, regional and national BFTA organised competitions.

The Committee will be responsible for collecting subscriptions and providing all members with an annual balance of the Club’s accounts.

The assets and monies of the Club will be in the responsibility of the Committee.

For details of current Committee members click here.  Also see the Constitution.

Send mail to Robert at webmaster@sbftc.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 08-Oct-2007 09:30