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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 26, 2020

SHOOTING AUSTRALIA MOVES TO ASSIST MEMBER ORGANISATIONS

Shooting Australia has taken the proactive measure to establish the Australian Shooting COVID-19 Reference
Group to assist Member Organisations, and in turn their State and Territory bodies and Clubs through the
current health crisis.
The newly created Australian Shooting COVID-19 Reference Group will hold a weekly teleconference which will
be a forum for member organisation representatives to participate in open discussion, share information and
resources, and be a reference group for decision making.
Following the Australian Government’s directives announced over the past week regarding social distancing and
community sport, Shooting Australia feels it is important that as Australians and as a shooting community we
look to follow these directives in the best interest of mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

Therefore, based on Australia Government directives regarding social distancing and community sport, Shooting
Australia recommend shooting clubs strongly consider the option to cease all types of competitions, shooting
and non-shooting social activities at both indoor and outdoor ranges.

This recommendation applies to all indoor and outdoor ranges until further notice.
Shooting Australia CEO, Luke van Kempen, said it was important all shooting member organisations work
collaboratively and co-operatively to best safeguard community health during these extraordinary times.

“These are challenging times for all sports at all levels – elite, state, club and social – and the sport of shooting is
no exception,” said Mr van Kempen.

“Shooting Australia recognises the immense value of community sport in fostering a sense of wellbeing and so-
cial interaction. However, in times like this, we must make health the number one priority.

“Like all sports, shooting relies very much on volunteers and the Shooting Australia COVID-19 Reference Group
has been created to assist volunteers at all levels.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that like other parts of our community, sporting clubs are experiencing fi-
nancial challenges also. For the immediate period and until further Government advice, clubs may be without
income from events, memberships and social gatherings.
“The financial status of organisations within our membership structure has been a key agenda item of the
Australian Shooting COVID-19 Reference Group. Within this forum we will actively share information and
resources to best assist member organisations through the current situation,” he added.

The COVID-19 Reference Group conducted its first tele-conference this week. If the shooting sport community
wishes to add to this agenda, we ask that they make contact with their relevant member body.

Further information;
Greg Campbell
PRISM Strategic Communications
Ph: 0418 239 139
E: [email protected]

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