Manitoba Junior Rifle Club celebrates 60 years in Neepawa
- Details
- Published on Monday, June 2, 2014
By: Lanny Stewart
myWestman.ca
The Manitoba Junior Rifle Club celebrated 60 years as an organization in Neepawa on Saturday.
The club held its annual provincial rifle championship at the Yellowhead Centre grounds which consisted of approximately 130 registered shooters. Following that event, approximately 450 people attended a banquet, which took place at the Yellowhead Centre, which focused on the club's 60 years in operation.
Neepawa hosted the first Manitoba Junior Rifle provincial championship in 1955. Neepawa played a key role in the beginning stages of the rifle club as it was local resident Bob Burns who was one of the founders of the Osprey group who helped form the MJRC.
Bob's son Bill spoke at the banquet and says his father, who passed away in 1980, would start a slogan for the club which called for safety, sportsmanship and shooting.
"[It] was the slogan and my dad drove that into us," he said. "Safety will always serve you well, it's a given, it's not negotiable. Sportsmanship is respect for others, for each other and for yourself. And shooting, it's a lifetime sport."
According to a historical reference, Bob Burns was considered 'The Father of Junior Rifle' who was an instructor, coach and friend.
"Bobs’ foresight, determination and constant belief in the purpose and aims of Junior Rifle, that has ‘stood the test of time’ will be an inspiration to all that may pass through Junior Rifle in generations to come," states the Neepawa History Book (1983 version).
The Manitoba Junior Rifle Club is active in several communities across the province and offers members .22 rifle and .177 calibre live-firing safety training as well. Members also learn about calibre and gauge, breathing techniques as well as how to sight in a rifle.
Results
Among the winners at the rifle competition were the Winkler team that won the novice team championship. AWinkler team also took home top prize in the overall team top score (air rifle) competition. The best team on the range came from the Dauphin Marksman club; while the best team target scores (rifle) came from the Deloraine club.
The best beginner team exam was won by the Sprucewoods club, while the John Labatt beginner team runner-up was the team from Deloraine. The R.A. (Bob) Burns beginner team champion (rifle) went to Sprucewoods, while the Al Harvey novice team runner-up (rifle) went to Deloraine once again.
The John Labatt novice team champions (rifle) went to the Selkirk club, while Dauphin was the Manitoba Junior Rifle marksman team runner-ups. The Paul Hale Shield marksman team champions (rifle) were the Brandon marksman I club, while the Deloraine marksman II club ended up winning the John Labatt and Manitoba Wildlife trophy, which went to the club with the best over all team top score (rifle).
