New Jamaica Skeet Club boss has growth agenda

New Jamaica Skeet Club president, Evan Thwaites, has put the continued growth of local shooters and competitions high on his mandate, noting that he wants to have up-to-date systems to help develop even greater competitiveness in Jamaica's clay shooting.

Thwaites will be looking to build on the successes of past president Kahaleel Azan who demitted office recently, after four years at the helm.

President Thwaites indicated that the new committee is going to build on the past president's success.

"Mr Azan has developed the sport of shooting tremendously. We see our role as building on that, improving the shooters' experience, the competitions, making sure we have up-to-date registration systems, scoreboard systems and thus trying to develop even greater participation in the future."

DEVELOPING THE SPORT

Thwaites, who became the new president of the local skeet club after he was elected unopposed recently, at the Jamaica Skeet Club in Portmore, said Azan would be tasked with improving the participation of the young shooters and encouraging the development of the sport.

"We want to expand its (the sport) exposure to the school population in Jamaica. We see the future of our sport as highly dependent on the number of youngsters who we can bring into it," continued Thwaites.

Former president Azan says that it's time for younger members to take control of the sport.

"I am very confident that we are leaving at the right time. I think that it's time now for a younger group to come in and to take charge," Azan reasoned.

He credited the new president for selecting a committee of young, bright people, noting that they and would take the club to a new level.

Meanwhile, Thwaites is joined on the executive by Leighton Sasso, who was vice-president in the last regime (he retains his position); AndrÈ Holung - treasurer; and Jordon Samuda - secretary. The committee members who will also serve on the board are Shaun Barnes, a five- time national champion; James Chen; Andre Hopwood; and Ray McMaster.