Racing Season 2022 Update -

[willie reynolds]

With the time changed and the sun shining almost every day fanciers are busy setting up for the new race season, plenty of training in the good weather conditions and hopefully will continue to the opening race due to be flown on Saturday 16th April. Clubs will be setting up their clocks and sorting race sheets and vaccination forms and well done to the many workers at club level who carry out these duties each year without question, the backbone of any club. We will have something different this season in that the NIPA will be working a new result programme, the intention is the overall result will adjust each time a member club puts forward their result and remember the run of the mill deadline for weekly races is 9.00pm. It is intended to increase the level of drug testing operating weekly as a deterrent and all tests done prior to basketing, they will be adding to the team of those qualified to carry out the testing under the RPRA Rules and conditions. Those interested in helping should contact NIPA Secretary Fred Russell.

For the early part of the season, it is hoped to keep the crate costs as the year previous at £11 per crate, members will be able to take their own crate if they so wish and make payment. They will try as far as possible to observe the five members present for race marking and although most restrictions have been lifted many of the older members still have concerns regarding face masks etc and social distancing, these conditions will be met as far as is possible to keep everyone safe.

Some adjustments to the rules regarding race marking with ETS are still being looked at and clock setting and checking when no signal is possible, there seems to be a difference of opinion between RPRA our own organisation, and the FCI covering the rest of Europe. Homer will be training as usual collecting at Danny Dixon Dunloy just before 8.00am and at Ahoghill Flying Club around 8.30am. Final stop Ballykeel around 9,30am. Tel: 07538 238364. NIPA Race programme is for the old birds.

Starting 16/04 Tullamore, 23/04 Roscrea, 30/04 Gowran Park, 07/05 Fermoy, 14/05 Pilmore Beach, 21/05 Skibbereen OB Nat, 21/05 Fermoy, 28/05 Talbenny (1), 04/06 Talbenny (2), 04/06 Fermoy & Fermoy 5 Bird, 11/06 Bude, 11/06 Skibbereen Yearling Nat, 18/06 Penzance & Penzance Classic, 18/06 Fermoy, 23/06 St Malo OB Nat or Plougastel-Daolas.

Return results early especially for Mid Antrim Combine with members and birds to be listed, Cullybackey have returned, and we look forward to a majority vote coming from both Harryville and Broughshane to allow those clubs to participate in the annual Champions League. I hardly need to remind all lofts that an opt out rule was passed a number of years back, to help those who have no interest in the MAC Competition to withdraw without involving the whole club. That’s the way forward for the handful of lofts that are still racing in the twilight of the sport locally. Big sportsmanship decision required from what was always from I remember the Sport of Pigeon Racing.

The young bird season will be as follows. Race Programme YB (C) - Young Bird proposed by Ligoniel HPS No Area Liberations. 16/07 Mullingar, 23/07 Mullingar, 30/07Tullamore, 06/08 Roscrea, 13/08 Gowran Park, 20/08 Fermoy & 5 Bird, 27/08 Talbenny YB Nat, 27/08 Roscrea, 03/09 Fermoy, 10/09 Skibbereen YB Nat. This season the Centre Manager at Ahoghill will be Robin Service of Ballymena & District HPS, the usual help will be appreciated from clubs using the facility.

The most recent INFC meeting was last weekend in Lisburn everything set in place for a new season and the Single Bird Challenge prizes will be as the season previous. Something to look forward to at the next AGM in 2023 will be a proposal to increase the joining fee to £30.00 and for this season the entry for the YB Nationals will increase by £1 per bird.

The 2022 proposed race programme for Irish Nat FC is as follows.
Skibbereen Old Bird Inland National Tuesday 31st May, race marking Monday 30th May.
Sennen Cove Yearling National Wednesday 15th June, race marking Monday 13th June.
St. Allouestre Grand National King’s Cup Friday 1st July, race marking Tuesday 28th June.
St Malo or Plougastel – Daoulas Friendship National Friday 8th July, race marking Tuesday 5th July.
Penzance Grand National Young Bird Wednesday 7th September, race marking Monday 5th September.
Skibbereen Young Bird Inland Saturday 17th September, race marking Thursday 15th September.
Please note if we are sailing direct to France from Ireland release days will be subject to change.

Members paying through a club 2022 subscriptions.
Existing members paying through your club £20.00 sterling or €25.00 euro’s.
New members paying through a club £25.00 sterling or €31.00 euro’s. Deadline for membership is around 12th April 2022.