Your story matters: BASC launches new campaign for Women in Shooting

- Latest news

July 26, 2026

BASC has launched a new campaign inviting women from across the shooting community to share their personal stories, celebrating the diverse pathways into shooting and inspiring more women to get involved.

The campaign, “Wherever you are on your journey, your story matters”, was launched yesterday, 25 July, at BASC’s Women in Shooting reception at The Game Fair.

The campaign will celebrate the growing number of women taking part in shooting, increase engagement within the BASC Women in Shooting community, and shine a spotlight on the diverse experiences of women involved in the sport.

Guests attending the reception were invited to share their experiences online, laying the foundations for a collection of stories reflecting the many different routes into shooting available and the impact these have on women’s lives.

Celebrating every journey

As the UK’s largest female shooting community, BASC Women in Shooting continues to go from strength to strength, with record membership numbers and increasing participation in events and training opportunities across the country.

Speaking at the reception, BASC’s Lois Pettitt said: “We’re incredibly proud to have created the largest female shooting community in the UK, and this year we’ve broken our membership record once again. It’s fantastic to see more women becoming involved in shooting or honing their skills and experience across all disciplines.

“Everyone has their own unique story and we’d love to hear yours. Wherever you are on your journey, your story matters. By sharing your experiences, we hope to inspire and encourage even more women to join our community and to start or continue their shooting journey with confidence, supported by BASC every step of the way.”

Speaking at the reception, BASC vice chair Claire Sadler added: “For many years, women were seen as a bit of an exception in shooting. Today, we’re one of the fastest growing parts of our community on a global scale. We’re competitors, gamekeepers, conservationists, farmers, mothers, mentors and leaders. We’re not asking for a seat at the table anymore, we’re helping to build it.

“I’d implore all women in shooting to continue to support one another, encourage newcomers, celebrate each other’s successes and never underestimate the influence we have in this community.”

Around the reception, guests were able to read the stories of three women who work closely with BASC, each demonstrating a different route into shooting and the opportunities it can provide. Their experiences reinforce the message that there is no single pathway into shooting and that every story has the power to inspire others.

The campaign forms part of BASC’s ongoing commitment to supporting women in shooting by creating opportunities to build confidence, develop skills and connect with others through a welcoming and supportive community.

BASC Women in Shooting Award

The recipient of this year’s BASC Women in Shooting Award, also presented at The Game Fair, was Megan Borthwick.

Megan (pictured top) was recognised for her achievements since becoming head gamekeeper at the Charlton Shoot in Northumberland in 2025, a role that has established her as a trailblazer and role model for women in the shooting community.

Megan led the shoot through a challenging first year with resilience and expertise, earning universal praise from guns and beaters alike for running a professional, efficient and welcoming operation.

She also coordinated a recent BASC’s Young Shots day, giving many young guns the chance to bag their first driven pheasant or partridge.

She has used her platform to champion other women in the sector, supporting female-owned businesses such as Spent Shells and strengthening the visibility of women across the sport. A committed advocate of the “field to fork” ethos, Megan has also championed sustainable, locally-sourced game as part of the shoot’s contribution to the local economy and food security.

Share your story

If you’d like to share an insight into your shooting journey, you can find out how to do this on our Women in Shooting pages here.

We hope the campaign will encourage more women to celebrate the role they play within the shooting community and inspire the next generation to begin their own journey.