Right now, a record number of 68 teams are converging on Rogers, Arkansas from all over the United States for the 50th Annual Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match. This 5-meter BB gun match has been a dream destination for America's Junior BB gun shooters since 1966, and 2015 promises to be better than ever.
Daisy has introduced a new wrinkle for this year's match: social media participation! As the team members head to Daisy's home town of Rogers, where the match has been hosted since 2010, team members are sporting bright green shirts with the message, "On the Road to the Daisy Nationals" and handing out cards to the public who are following their nationwide travels on Facebook and twitter. Search #roadtodaisy or visit facebook.com/DaisyOutdoor to see the landmarks these athletes are visiting on their way to Rogers.
Sixty-eight teams from all over the United States are registered for the 5-meter match. These teams have earned that privilege by placing first, second or third in a state match. These young shooting athletes (ages 8 to 15) are the best of the best and will be competing for medals and national records shooting Daisy's Model 499 Champion single shot BB gun, described as the most accurate BB gun in the world. They shoot at a 5-meter distance in four shooting positions.
As an incentive for coaches to develop teams, teach Daisy's curriculum (available to download from www.daisy.com) and to compete in local and state matches, Daisy presents a travel award in the amount of $1,000 to $1,500 to each team which qualifies for, attends and competes in this match.
The event begins on Thursday when teams will arrive to practice on Thursday and Friday. All teams will find an opportunity, on Thursday through Saturday, to tour the Rogers Daisy Airgun Museum in historic downtown Rogers.
Thursday, from 4:30 to 5:30 these athletes from all over the United States will participate in Pack Shack's "Feed the Funnel" event, packing 20,000 meals for huger relief groups in our local communities. "Hosting the Daisy Nationals has a tremendous positive impact on our local economy," said Joe Murfin, V.P of Public Relations for Daisy. "This Feed the Funnel event allows our athletes and coaches to participate alongside their competitors, and with the Daisy team, to give something back to this Northwest Arkansas community which has been so supportive of Daisy's shooting sports program."
Friday evening's Opening Ceremonies will be conducted from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Teams will march into the convention ballroom wearing team colors, carrying their state flags and mounting the medal podiums for team photos. Including athletes, coaches and families, attendance is expected to reach 2,000. During the program, Daisy will recognize coaches, award prizes for best team colors, honor some very special guests and induct someone into the Daisy Hall of Fame.
The 5-meter match competition itself takes place from 8 am – Noon and 12:30 – 4:30 on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5. A written test, the score on which is a significant part of the overall team score, will be administered Friday afternoon. Barter bar, a trading event for athletes, will take place at 6:30on Saturday in the Pinnacle Ballroom just off of the hotel lobby.
Closing ceremonies and award presentations for the 5-meter competition are scheduled for 6:00 PM on Sunday, July 5th. For a complete schedule of events associated with the 5-meter Daisy National BB Gun Championship Match visit: http://daisy.com/sites/default/files/nationals/forms/2014_DNBBGCM_Schedule.pdf
In honor of this 50th Annual Match, Daisy has created a special Model 499 commemorative BB gun with a 50th Annual Match medallion inset into the stock. One gun will be given to each competing team. Additionally, at four assembly stations at the convention center, each athlete attending will have the opportunity to build their own special Daisy Model 1938 BB gun, laser-engraved with the 50th Annual match logo, as a gift from the company to the athletes.
NRA Family's own intrepid reporter, Guy Sagi, will be checking in with us soon to let us know how the matches went...stay tuned!
