BASC Women in Shooting: a summer of growth

This summer has been a landmark season for BASC Women in Shooting, bringing together record-breaking events and promising an exciting future.

BASC’s 2025 catalogue of Women in Shooting events have welcomed women of all levels of shooting experience to enjoy the sport in supportive and friendly settings.

Across the country, clay shooting and rifle sessions, both introductory and advanced, proved hugely popular. They help newcomers build skills and confidence while offering experienced shots the opportunity to connect and progress.

A novice clay shooting day in the South West and a simulated game day in Scotland are just two examples. Events such as these lay the foundations for long-term growth by making shooting more inclusive and accessible. They are key to building the Women in Shooting community.

Game fair receptions

Two of the summer’s defining moments came during The Game Fair at Ragley Hall and the Scottish Game Fair at Scone Palace. BASC Women in Shooting hosted receptions that drew record numbers, boosting our offering at two of the year’s premier countryside events.

At Ragley, Helen Jones of Cwm Fedw Country Sports was presented with the 2025 Women in Shooting Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution. Her success was served as an inspiring reminder of the difference women are making in the community. BASC vice chair Claire Sadler also spoke inspiringly about the importance of visibility, retention and opportunity for women in shooting.

The reception at Scone Palace reinforced the momentum of Women in Shooting in Scotland, showcasing the growing presence and influence.

Investing in the future

This summer also highlighted BASC’s commitment to supporting the next generation through scholarships and sponsorships.

The 2025 BASC Legacy Funded Scholarship provides significant financial support to students studying gamekeeping, wildlife management or rural land management.

Notably, three of this year’s recipients are female. Their ambition and dedication highlight the growing role of women in shaping the future of the countryside and reflect BASC’s commitment to nurturing female talent across the sector.

BASC’s Legacy Sponsorship programme celebrated early success when clay shooter Bethany Norton secured silver medal at the Qatar Grand Prix. It was Olympic skeet shooter Bethany’s first event as a BASC ambassador. Her achievement demonstrates the value of investing in emerging talent and the potential of young shooters to excel on the international stage.

Record membership

As the summer season drew to a close, BASC Women in Shooting celebrated a major milestone by breaking the record for the number of female BASC members. This achievement reflects the appetite for a platform that champions women.

The packed programme of WiS events continues through autumn. Recent events include a novice clay shooting day in Worcestershire and an introduction to driven partridge shooting in Powys.

This weekend saw us hold a rifle club day at Bisley in Surrey, which is closely followed by an introduction to wildfowling event at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire on 17 October. These events highlight the breadth of opportunities on offer, from beginner-friendly sessions to specialised introductions across different disciplines.

Importantly, the events are spread across regions, making them accessible to women nationwide. Many of them provide equipment and expert guidance to lower barriers for newcomers.

During this game season, the focus will also be on encouraging more women to get out into the field. More events are already in the pipeline, with dates and further information set to be released soon.

Building on success

With record growth, inspiring achievements and strong investment in future talent, BASC Women in Shooting ends the summer on a real high. The initiative now looks forward with confidence, continuing to grow and build on this success.

To find out more about how you can get involved, visit our dedicated pages here.

Lois Pettitt

Lois is the BASC operations co-ordinator for the Eastern Region and a proud member of the Women in Shooting team. Having grown up in the countryside, she has a passion for rural life and enjoys all aspects of shooting and beating, and working her Labrador.