FRANK BRIFFA

aka

Mr. CONSISTANT

aka

JACK RUSSELL

 

 

By Duncan MacGregor

 

I recently travelled to the ‘Other side of the Earth’ or more specifically the 100 odd k’s from my place to the home of Western Pigeon Federation (Victoria) flyer, Frank Briffa.  I’d heard of a bit about Frank on the grapevine and being a shy type I looked up the White Pages Directory and gave him a ring.

 

 

Me and Frank, I'm the big muscly bloke

 

At this point in time you may be wondering about the above heading, but don’t, all will come out in the wash

 

Frank flies with the strong Werribee Club, who in turn, with other clubs, make up the West Section of the WPF.  He has being flying for 10 years and in that time has also shifted house, albeit, just around the corner.  Being one of the shortest flyers hasn’t stopped Frank and over that period he has been a benchmark flyer, the ‘One to Beat’.

 

What may come as a surprise to many, especially the traditionalists, Frank manages to fly Janssens with a touch of Barker from start to finish inclusive of the 600 and 700 mile races, remaining competitive the whole season.  His foundation cock being down off the Golden Cock, a line he still maintains.  He also has some of the other popular breeds such as the Goodgers etc.

 

In line with the normal loft type interview I thought I should ask Frank some questions, well everyone else does! Here are his answers,

 

Feed/Feeding, “It’s important to use a good quality feed.  I adjust the amount and mix dependant on the races and the time of the season.  Don’t feed too heavy”

 

Medication, “I medicate when needed, the natural ideas are good but I still like to medicate when necessary.  As long as you don’t over do it you are right.  Many flyers panic when their birds aren’t firing and over do it.  That’s not the way to go, it’s about good management.”

 

Training, “The birds get tossed throughout the season, again dependant on the race and time of year as to how often and how far they go.  If they’re not fit by the time we get to the 400-mile, as we are now, they’ll never get fit.  At the moment 50 k’s is enough.  Too many people toss too hard too early and flatten the birds.”

 

MR CONSISTANT, now we have the quotes out of the way I can address the headings.  As stated Frank has been flying 10 years and in that time his performances have been remarkable!  When I started to research Frank’s performances for this article I expected the odd good result.  He was up the top that often that it began to get boring so I gave up!  Six times winner of the WPF West Section Aggregate as well as once Runner Up, winner of the Club Aggregate on these occasions as well as a couple more times.

Frank has won a 500 mile fed, been 2nd over 700 miles, and has had numerous high positions in the club, section and fed every year he has raced, 

2006 being no different. 

Frank was knocking on the door with a 2nd fed a couple of weeks ago, and a great placing in the Tasmanian race before this weekends’ Oct 21st, race from Trangie, which is about 440 miles.  The WPF released with the Victorian Pigeon Union and the Greater Melbourne Pigeon Federation. 

Not only did Frank win 1st fed in the WPF he also had the fastest bird in all three federations as well as clocking his second bird to take 4th fed WPF.

I actually handled his 4th fed bird last week prior to the race and she was a beauty.  Then again so were all the others I handled.

 

JACK RUSSELL, when I arrived at Frank’s home I was first met by his good friend Frank De Pasquale and an array of Jack Russell terriers.  At first I didn’t think that much about it, the dogs that is, but on the way home the parallel struck me. 

If you research the traits of the Jack Russell Terrier the words, determined, strong willed and single mindedness are predominant.  They say dogs and their owners are alike, sounds like Frank Briffa to me!!

It also says that the Jack Russell is a small dog that requires an experienced handler that can be difficult to control.  I’m not sure about that bit; perhaps we need to ask a higher authority? 

Frank certainly is not a big bloke in stature but he is in character and determination, he is a flyer that loves his birds and like all pigeon enthusiasts he enjoys seeing his hard work reap results.

 

Hopefully that solves the problem of the heading, which leaves me with one last question for Frank.

I’ve noticed your selling a few birds, why? “I’m determined to keep improving, I need to breed the best birds I can, and the results show that it’s working.  But, you can’t keep them all.  If I have to sell some, then so be it, maybe they’ll help someone else in the sport.”

 

 

2 'to be Frank' two Franks. De Pasquale & Briffa, good friends and mates