Shooter considering legal action

Press, 7 April 1987, Page 46

Shooter considering legal action

PA Auckland An international pistol shooter, Barrie Wickins — a medallist at the last two Commonwealth Games — is considering taking legal action against the National Shooting Federation after being banned from future Olympic, Commonwealth, Oceania and World championship teams. The ban — and Wickins’ reaction to it — is the latest development in a row between pistol and rifle shooters. Wickins’ ban came after a confidential discussion by the federation’s national executive over a report by the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games shooting section manager, Graeme Hudson.

In a letter to Wickins, the federation said: "After considerable discussion, and bearing in mind that reports of

previous section managers have carried somewhat similar criticisms, the executive were agreed that they would not be able to support your selection in future national teams.

“This decision is deeply regretted but is taken with what the executive considered to be the best interests of future teams in mind.”

Wickins, who won a bronze medal in Edinburgh and a silver medal at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982, said yesterday that no specific reason for his ban had been given, although Mr Hudson’s report after Edinburgh had said Wickins was preoccupied with other matters. Mr Hudson, who has since become president of the federation, said: “This decision was taken in committee so I cannot really say anything. All I can say is that it was a discipline matter.

“It was not done just because of one particular, individual incident’’ Wickins said he was thinking of taking legal action. “From what I can gather, their action is just not legal. They have banned me without giving a reason and without a chance to appeal.”

The New Zealand Pistol Association’s president John Howat, said the association had also taken legal advice which suggested that Wickins might have a powerful case if he decided to sue the federation.

“The association is at odds with the federation over a number of points, although this is the most serious at present,” he said.

The federation is the parent body of New Zealand shooting and is responsible for the selection of New Zealand teams for Olymnic and Commonwealth

Games and Oceania and World championships. It Is composed of representatives from seven different shooting organisations, including the New Zealand Pistol Association, the New Zealand Smallbore Rifle Association, and the National Rifle Association.

“We have currently withdrawn our support for the federation,” Mr Howat said. •• 's ■ ■

The pistol shooters are angry because they say they are not being treated as equals with rifle shooters, who heavily outweigh them on the federation.

The discontent has bubbled up over the Wickins issue and over the federation’s decision to nominate an extra smallbore rifle event for the IHO Commonwealth Games at the expense of the centrefire pistol event.