National Association of Target Shooting Sports, (NATSS).

NATSS the so-called National Association of Target Shooting Sports, is a small body set up by a group of people in UK, who have decided among themselves that it would be in the interests of all shooters if the three national governing bodies were to amalgamate.

It appears that this small group of individuals, even yet un-named, set NATSS up without the prior knowledge or consent of the national governing bodies involved. The involved national governing bodies are the NRA of UK, the NSRA, and the CPSA. Unfortunately, this group of people does not have adequate experience to realise that (a) the three bodies were formed, developed and exist because they are responsible for quite different sports, and (b) that the members of these governing bodies have not been asked if they favour amalgamation and will almost certainly reject it.

However, several of the involved persons have some influence in the hierarchy upwards in sporting circles, and have solicited substantial sums of public money, and have appointed a consultant company "Performance Matters" to attempt to sell the idea to the members by a series of "workshops" held around the country. The response of those who attended these workshops has been near unanimous that "consultation" was not on the agenda, but pushing the NATSS amalgamation idea was. By and large those who attended the seminars left feeling alientated, having been spoken down to by people who clearly had little or no knowledge or understanding of any of the sports and disciplines involved, but who had one agenda, amalgamation.

Now it is seen in "Intershooting" (http://www.intershooting.co.uk/glossary/n/natss-2.html) that NATSS states categorically that it is "A governing body ..." which status it has assumed to itself with NO authority from any of the sports NGBs it claims to govern. It goes on to state that NATSS "is hoped to be created from the unification of the National Rifle Association of the United Kingdom (NRA), the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA) and the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA), in time for the 2012 Summer Olympics." Very few people other than the unknown and un-named NATSS proponents share that hope.

There is considerable resistance and resentment building up in shooting sports over these matters, and the situation develops. For example, the Council of the NRA of GB recently held a straw poll at a Council Meeting, and UNANIMOUSLY opposed the NATSS proposals.

One of the difficulties being faced by those concerned AbOUT NATSS and its plans is getting information. It it not known who founded NATSS or on what authority. NATSS has taken upon itself to represent itself as the established superior body representing the national governing bodies (NRA/NSRA/CPSA) but has done so without ANY authority from the Councils or members thereof.

The position at June 2009 is as above.