Use of a magnifying lens (i.e Diopter) at the 2017 TSNZ Outdoor Nationals
At the October 2016 AGM, a change was made to the Outdoor Rules to include a new Rule 3.4.4:
3.4.4 Prone shooters not intending to compete internationally and who do not require their name to be listed on the NZSF Ranking lists may use equipment and clothing which complies with the TSNZ Indoor Rules.
This now allows shooters who do not wish to be on the ranking list to take part in the TSNZ Graded Matches and to progress to being selected for the NZ Island Teams using a magnifying lens (i.e. diopter) as per TSNZ Indoor Rules:
2.4.3.3 No magnifying combination of lenses is permitted, except that one lens not exceeding 0.5 diopter (1.5 magnification) may be fitted to either the front or the rear sight. In specific cases a dispensation may be granted. Refer to Rule 2.7.5.
2.4.3.4 Corrective glasses or contact lenses may be worn, or a corrective lens may be fitted externally to the rear of the rear aperture sight, either alone or in addition to any lens used as specified in Clause 2.4.3.3.
However the conditions for the International Slazenger and Wakefield matches at the Nationals (as set by match organisers Australia and England) say that while clothing does not have to be ISSF compliant, the rifle and other gear DOES have to be ISSF compliant. This means that the use of a magnifying lens in the International Matches is NOT allowed, so any shooter using a diopter cannot progress to an International Team.
A shooter can elect to shoot the ISSF Match to gain selection to the Island Teams with a magnifying lens and will be eligible for all TSNZ awards, however they will not be eligible for ISSF awards in that match. TSNZ/ISSF Medals are presented for this Match, and to qualify for ISSF Awards the rifle/other gear does have to comply to ISSF Rules, i.e. no magnifying lens can be used in addition to a sight correction lens which can be attached to the rear sight.
The change in the Outdoor Rules at the 2016 AGM has increased participation in outdoor events including the Nationals, which was the intention. However there will need to be some more alterations made to clarify some of the issues that have arisen such as that explained above, and it is intended to address this at the 2017 AGM.
A question has been asked: if a shooter shoots the Graded matches with a magnifying lens and then removes it for the ISSF match, can they then qualify for an International Team?
After some consultation it has been decided that this is NOT ALLOWABLE - to gain selection to an International Team a shooter must qualify with the same rifle configuration in all the selection matches.