The Organization
The sport was introduced in South Africa in May 2001 and has since grown significantly, boasting an active community of over 900 active shooters. These shooters participate in more than 500 matches annually across 30 active clubs nationwide.
SADPA caters to Multi-Gun shoots, including handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and is officially recognized by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Central Firearms Register (CFR) as a dedicated sport shooting body.
SADPA’s extensive network of clubs offers numerous opportunities for shooters across the country to engage in events and continually improve their defensive shooting skills within a safe and controlled environment.
New Shooter Orientation (NSO)
The SADPA NSO, or South African Defensive Pistol Association New Shooter Orientation, is a program designed to introduce new shooters to the sport of defensive pistol shooting under SADPA rules.
The orientation typically covers essential rules, safety protocols, and the practical aspects of participating in SADPA matches. New shooters learn about the different divisions, scoring systems, and what to expect during a match.
The primary goal is to ensure that new participants are well-prepared, comfortable, and safe when they begin competing in SADPA events. This orientation is often mandatory for new members before they can take part in their first match.
You can read more on the NSO in the New Shooter section.
SADPA’s primary purpose is to promote and develop defensive sport shooting in South Africa. This involves several key objectives:
- Providing a platform for competition: SADPA organizes various shooting matches, ranging from beginner to advanced levels, allowing individuals to test their skills and compete against others in a safe and controlled environment.
- Ensuring safety and standards: SADPA sets and enforces strict safety regulations for all its events, ensuring that participants adhere to proper firearm handling and safety protocols.
- Promoting skill development: Through regular competitions and training opportunities, SADPA helps individuals improve their shooting accuracy, speed, and self-defense skills.
- Supporting the shooting community: SADPA fosters a sense of community among shooters, providing networking opportunities and promoting a shared passion for the sport.
- Promoting firearm education: By emphasizing safe and responsible firearm use, SADPA contributes to public education on firearms and helps to dispel misconceptions.
In essence, SADPA aims to create a thriving and growing environment for defensive sport shooting in South Africa, while also promoting safety, skill development, and community engagement.
SADPA organizes a variety of shooting matches, ranging from Tier 1 or Local Club matches to sanctioned national events. These matches are typically classified into different tiers based on the level of stages and the points awarded.
Here’s a breakdown of the different tiers:
- Tier 1: Club Matches. 4 points awarded.
- Tier 2: Inter-Club Matches. 6 points awarded.
- Tier 3: Regional Matches. 8 points awarded.
- Tier 4: National Championships. 10 points awarded.
The points earned in each match contribute to a shooter’s Dedicated Sport Status (DSS). As shooters progress in skill and confidence through match experience, they can achieve higher DSS points and compete at national matches.
In addition to these regular matches, SADPA may also organize special events or tournaments throughout the year. These events can offer unique challenges and opportunities for shooters to showcase their skills and compete for prestigious awards.
SADPA membership also gives you access to Firearm Endorsements, DSS applications & much more. If you are ready to join the SADPA community, click on join now!
Our Executive Committee
