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We’re proud to work with our Partners and Supporters to continue to develop Target Sprint in Great Britain. Together we are stronger.
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Partners
Last weekend was a busy weekend for Target Sprint in the UK, with not only the last National Series Quota places being won before the National Series Final and Super League Points adding to athlete’s seasons tallies before the climax at the British Championships, all at the Welsh Championships. But also, the Air Arms Cup organised by Sedgemoor Regional Centre took place at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex.
Members of the Sedgemoor Regional Centre and other individuals from across the country were joined by athletes from Germany and Italy for the event.
Saturday saw the individual races and the first final resulted in Gold for Cornwall based Caitlin Keaney, Silver for Erin Throgmorton-Appleby and Bronze for Paige Baxter in the Youth category.
The Junior categories saw Bronze medals being awarded to both current British Record holders Jono Williams and Emily Shawyer in the Junior Men’s and Junior Women’s respectfully. All the remaining medals were taken by the athletes from Germany and Italy.
Sunday saw the Team competitions, with races of mixed Pairs and Male and Female teams of three. New British Records were set in each of these categories.
The Pairs event saw Isaac Steele and Caitlin Keaney team up and although out of the medals set a new British Record time of 8 minutes and 25 seconds.
The men’s team consisting of Jono Williams, James Baxter and Morten Van Der Schee reduced the men’s team record by over one minute. However, it was the lady’s team consisting of Victoria Bradbury, Amy Cook and Araminta Stubbs who not only set a new British Record that has stood since 2017, but also won a bronze medal.
Air Arms, the main sponsor of the event kindly provided an impressive Cup which was decided on points scored by the first five athletes in each race, including the heats. This was awarded to the athletes from Germany, who swept the board.
During the medal presentation ceremony on Sunday, the loudest cheer of the weekend went to Luke Spittles, who is currently only 12 years old and competed as a Youth, but as he was the only entrant in the category was unable to win a medal and was presented with a Certificate.
We look forward to seeing Luke, who had qualified earlier in the year at the YOSC Championships, at the National Series Final on Sunday 22nd September, along with all the other athletes who have qualified this season. And of course, welcoming all to enter the British Championships, the climax of the domestic season and Super League 2019 on Saturday 21st September, all of which will be taking place at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex and kindly hosted by the team at Sedgemoor regional centre.
Have you qualified for the National Series Final 2019? Click here to see ALL QUALIFIED ATHLETES 2019.
If you have qualified, remember to enter!
National Series Final – Enter Here
Open to all – 35mm diameter targets. *Double Super League Points available
British Championships – Enter here
Congratulations to the team at Sedgemoor for running an excellent Air Arms Cup competition, who said it was an outstanding success and the warm weather was only outshone by the warmth of the friendships forged between the athletes, their incredibly supportive parents and coaches from all the teams.
Photography by Sedgemoor Regional Centre
We at British Shooting are thrilled to be continuing to develop the Target Sprint Leader programme nationwide alongside our partners at the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA), Council for Cadet Rifle Shooting (CCRS) and the Scout Organisation.
The Target Sprint Leader course is a bolt-on two-hour qualification which outlines the unique nature of the sport (a mixture of running combined with shooting skills) and helps to inform people of how to safely deliver activity and events in their environments.
To be an accredited Target Sprint Leader you need to attend one of our Target Sprint Leaders Courses and demonstrate that you hold a recognised air gun qualification. At a minimum this is a NSRA YPS Tutor or CCRS Small Arms (AR) (12) qualification.
The Target Sprint Leader bolt-on qualification will then enable people to deliver activity within the environment and context of their air gun qualification.
The Target Sprint Leader programme is linked with the Target Sprint Regional Centre/Hub programme, as well as athlete Target Sprint Safety Certificates.
As a Target Sprint Leader, your club/group etc. can become an officially recognised British Shooting Target Sprint Hub and benefit from being apart of that network, community, opportunities and recognition.
As a Target Sprint Leader, you are also eligible to sign off athlete’s Target Sprint Safety Certificates. This is an athlete competency and awareness award which is reviewed biannually. It enables athletes to compete at any British Shooting event, be eligible for GB Selection/Ranking and have access to further opportunities/support.
The Target Sprint Safety Certificate is an excellent award/set of criteria, for Leaders to use as an introductory session with new athletes. It’s also recommended by British Shooting, NSRA and our partners that all Event/Activity Organisers follow suit and ensure all athletes have attained a Safety Certificate.
Gorgs Geikie, British Shooting Event’s & Commercial Coordinator said; “Our current team of Target Sprint Educators are Stephen Batchelor, Paul Langford, Doug Pepper, John Saint and Robert Shawyer. We welcome others who wish to join our team in 2020 to contact myself at Gorgs.Geikie@BritishShooting.org.uk .
“Our Educators are an integral part in the development of Target Sprint, particularly due to the infancy of the sport in the UK. We hugely value their time and expertise they continue to put into our sport and the support they give British Shooting in our efforts to inspire a nation to enjoy our shooting sport for all.”
Would you like to become a Target Sprint Leader?
Express your interest to attend a course via https://www.targetsprint.com/support/coaching or via the facebook event at @TargetSprintGB
Upcoming Target Sprint Leader Courses, Events & Competitions including the Target Sprint Leader Course and Taster Session at Scoutings’ Gilwell Reunion, visit https://www.targetsprint.com/events
For more information about Target Sprint and all it has to offer, visit www.TargetSprint.com and follow us on Facebook @TargetSprintGB
We at British Shooting are excited to be a part of the Gilwell Reunion in September, with Doug Pepper – Target Sprint Educator and team delivering a Target Sprint Leader Course and a Target Sprint Taster for Scout Leaders.
Stephen Batchelor, Doug Pepper and Keith Anderson are geographically spread around the country and all are Target Sprint Educators. They each have been involved with the Scout movement for many years and now form the Scout shooting advisory group to British Shooting for Target Sprint.
SIGN-UP HERE – Saturday 5th September
Keith Anderson who is based in Devon said; “The Scout movement is a dynamic organisation which is constantly engaging in new activities. Air gun shooting is one of our oldest activities and I promote it as a ‘life skill,’ especially the safety element.
“Target Sprint is a progression from target and field shooting and is adding variety to the activities available.
“As a Scout Leader it enables you to provide quality in programming, e.g. DoE Skills. It puts the ‘out’ into Scouting and it’s not difficult to organise. Scout Leaders are good at improvising. You don’t have to slavishly follow the format, but can adapt the activity to suit the facilities, equipment and people available. There is no reason why Counties could not become a Target Sprint Hub.”
Doug Pepper added; “If Scout Leaders are already involved with shooting it’s a “no brainer” as it’s an extra discipline that helps foster physical fitness and health for young people. As well as engage new young people into shooting sport.”
The Gilwell Reunion is an annual Scouting event which provides an opportunity for adults in Scouting to experience an active and educational weekend. As well as a chance to meet up with friends old and new from across the globe. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about projects and programme activities, share knowledge, network and have fun!
This is the second year that a Target Sprint Leader course has been delivered at the Gilwell Reunion and builds upon the 2018 fully subscribed courses and introductory sessions Stephen Batchelor has run very successfully in previous years.
We’re thrilled at British Shooting to be continuing to build our relationship with the scouts, helping to enable a wider audience to engage with our sport.
The Target Sprint sessions at the Gilwell Reunion sits alongside further shooting activity coordinated by the NSRA, helping to continue to best promote a number of opportunities for shooting activity within the Scout movement.
British Shooting would like to take this opportunity to thank Stephen, Doug and Keith for their continued support and guidance as we engage further with the Scouts and Target Sprint.
Stephen Batchelor said; “Target Sprint is introducing more and more people into the sport of target shooting. The events which run both within scouting and outside of scouting continue to be friendly social events, where encouragement between athletes seems to shine through. I am so pleased to be involved with the Target Sprint journey in the UK.”
Doug Pepper added; “Becoming a Target Sprint Leader means more than getting a certificate. It means you can become a recognised Target Sprint Hub by British Shooting, have the knowledge run your own events and gain ideas of how to adapt the activity to suit the needs of your group and facilities/equipment. It’s a fun sport for all.
Article header photograph by Stephen Batchelor, Scout & Open Target Sprint Championships 2019.
More information about Target Sprint Leader Courses CLICK HERE
British Shooting are delighted to be teaming up with the Army Benevolent Fund for a second year, for the exhilarating Rifle Run 2019.
The event is to be held at EJ Churchills, High Wycombe on Sunday 14th April 2019. If you’re willing and able to take part SIGN UP HERE.
Rifle Run isn’t your average 10km!
Rifle Run is open to all and will see participants run 10km off-road, interspersed with three shooting stands. (Air Rifle Standing, Air Rifle Prone, Clay Target).
For more information CLICK HERE and see the video below.
National Running Show COME JOIN US on the ABF/British Shooting stand at the National Running Show, NEC Birmingham on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th January 2019. You can gain an insight into the event, partnership, chat to Troops to Target athletes and even have a go at shooting!
Gorgs Geikie, British Shooting Events and Commercial Coordinator said: “the partnership between the charity ABF and British Shooting is a lovely combination which goes hand in hand.”
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is the National Charity of the British Army. Here for soldiers, veterans, and their immediate families, for life.
In 2014 the Army Elite Sport Programme (AESP) was launched within the British Army using the £1.4 million it received, post the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, from G4S.
British Shooting, UK Sport, the EIS and the British Army invested resources in a programme to identify and develop shooters from within the Army.
The programme commonly known as Troops to Target is a programme we at British Shooting are thrilled to be able to showcase to the ABF audience and beyond.
For more information about Troops to Target CLICK HERE
Troops to Target has seen much success since its beginnings in 2014, but particularly in the past 12 months as athletes Zoe Chasemore (nee Bruce) and Sam Gowen claimed a World Championship Prone Team Bronze Medal and 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Rapid Fire Bronze Medal respectfully.
TEAM GB Report – READ HERE about Zoe’s recent World Championships success.
VIDEO – Hear from Sam himself about his Commonwealth glory.
The Air Arms Experience hit the road again, and headed north for the Northern Shooting Show 2018, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate.
For the second year in succession at the Northern Shooting Show the Air Arms Experience team provided a wonderful variety of shooting experiences under the Air Arms umbrella, of which the team from British Shooting’s delivered 10m Air Rifle, 10m Air Pistol and Target Sprint (shooting and information).
The British Shooting team consisting of Doug Pepper (NW TS Event Coordinator and TS Educator), Joe Joseph (NE TS Event Coordinator), Ian Smith (Sedgemoor Training and GB Squad Training Coordinator), George Smith (TS National Champion 2017), Harrison Pepper (TS athlete) and Ben Jackson did a fantastic job of coaching members of the public and educating them about the Olympic and Paralympic Airgun disciplines.
Gorgs Geikie, British Shooting said: “Our team on the Air Arms Experience were all true ambassadors of our sport, especially Target Sprint, and we thank them greatly for helping us team up with Air Arms to encourage and inspire the future of shooting sport.
“Having George and Harrison inspiring people through their achievements as current athletes and Doug, Joe and Ben being the current points of contact in the North for Target Sprint meant signposting interested people to where they could pursue their interest in the sport was possible.”
Claire West, Managing Director of Air Arms said: “It was lovely to meet more of the British Shooting team and great to see such enthusiasm and passion for Target Sprint in particular – brilliant!”
Doug Pepper commented on the the weekend by saying: “It was great to see so many people trying Target Sprint and Air Pistol for the first time. The fact that people returned to try out and improve in the two disciplines showed how much real interest there is in both disciplines.
“We hope to see this translates to more people picking up Target Sprint in particular as it is so accessible in terms of equipment compared to many other shooting and sports disciplines. The next Target Sprint event is being held this weekend in Manchester on Sunday 20th May. It was a great talking point over the weekend encouraging people that they don’t have too long or too far to travel to take the next steps on their journey.”
To get involved with the North West Regional Target Sprint, held on Sunday 20th May at East Cheshire Harrier, Tameside – CLICK HERE
The Air Arms Experience will next be venturing to the Game Fair at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire (27th-29th July). Come visit us and meet the team.
Air Arms – From the inception of Target Sprint in Great Britain, Air Arms have been instrumental in their support. Air Arms are a British company who manufacture air guns and equipment, and have joined our Target Sprint journey to encourage and nurture the future of shooting sport in Great Britain.
Air Arms’ equipment support of Target Sprint has enabled the event to be a welcoming accessible sport for all. We share a vision of excellence and providing opportunity for our sport to go beyond.
Find out more at air-arms.co.uk
Sport England – Sport England’s current investment into British Shooting (2017 – 21) is enabling us to develop a talent pathway for Target Sprint, hold National Series events and promote and share this fantastic sport for all.
Find out more at sportengland.org
Supporters