What does the future of competitive shooting look like?
Olympic Trap athlete Georgina provides an update on shooting ahead of the Olympics 2020 and Commonwealth Shooting Championships 2022.
Olympic shooter hopes BASC will discover new champion
OLYMPIC shooter Amber Hill wants a champion to shine at the Essex International Jamboree.
Bookings now open for the Countryside Clay Shoot 2015
Bookings are now being taken for a fundraising clay shoot which promises to be a highlight of the spring. The 2015 Countryside Clay Shoot will be held at the prestigious Six Mile Bottom shooting estate in Cambridgeshire on Saturday 23rd May 2015. The charity shoot will raise money for the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust (GWT) and the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI) and has been organised by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) and the CLA. Teams of four will compete across six stands with a mix of simulated game targets. Entry costs £600 per team which is £150 per person and will include hospitality. The winning team will receive the Hugh van Cutsem Challenge Cup, dedicated to the memory of the keen shot and countryman, which will be presented by Emilie van Cutsem. Steve Bloomfield, BASC England director, said: "The Countryside Clay Shoot is a way for everyone who shoots to raise funds for two very important charitable causes. I encourage people to enter teams as soon as they can. The 2014 event was a big success and we want to build on that this year and raise more money for the Gamekeepers’ Welfare Trust and RABI.” CLA Game Fair Director Tony Wall said: “I am delighted that the CLA has joined with BASC in delivering this prestigious event which will honour a great shot and supporter of the countryside.” Twenty five teams took part in the 2014 event, which was won by the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation and included teams from BASC, the CLA, the Countryside Alliance, The Angling Trust and the National Farmers’ Union. Places are limited so advance booking is essential. To book a place please contact BASC Central on 01283 810910 or central@basc.org.uk
Hundreds try shooting with BASC and Browning
Almost 300 people have tried shooting as part of a new programme being run by BASC and Browning. Two hundred and ninety one people took advantage of an easy introduction to shooting at the Highclere and Kelmarsh Game and Country Fairs after BASC and Browning teamed up to produce the Browning Experience. The Browning Experience gives people a chance to have their first taste of shooting and is being run in tandem with BASC’s coaching lines at Countryman Fairs events this year. A BASC-accredited shotgun coach will check eye dominance, stance, make sure the gun fits participants, teach them safety and show them how to hit a clay target. The Browning Experience will complement BASC’s shotgun coaching line and give those new to shooting an experience to remember and encourage further interest in shooting . One hundred and ninety two people also had full lessons with BASC-accredited shotgun coaches at the fairs. The Browning Experience will also be available to visitors to the Sussex Game and Country Fair on 14th and 15th June, the Lowther Show on 9th and 10th August and the Midland Game and Country Fair on 20th and 21st September. Steve Bloomfield, director of BASC England, said: “During National Shooting Week and beyond it was great to see so many people introduced to shooting through the Browning Experience and the BASC shotgun coaching line. “A lot of people who come to the shows who haven’t shot before don’t necessarily want a full lesson, they just want to try out a shotgun, break some clays and see if they like it. That is where the Browning Experience differs from the BASC shotgun coaching line. It offers what is in effect a light version of a shotgun lesson and enhances BASC’s coaching programme.” If the Browning Experience continues to be successful, it will be included in other events BASC is involved in.
BASC calls on guns to take on fundraising challenge for the Prince’s Trust
Those who shoot can raise money for The Prince’s Trust by taking part in the Bleasdale Challenge on Thursday 5th of June at Bleasdale Tower, Lancashire. The event, organised by the Really Wild Clay Company and supported by the UK’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), will see teams of four guns take on targets such as simulated driven grouse shoots at one of Lancashire’s finest sporting estates. Money raised on the day will go to the Trust which builds confidence and motivation in disadvantaged young people through a range of training programmes, mentoring support and financial grants. BASC’s regional officer for the North West, Duncan Thomas, said: “I am delighted to be working with Butterfly Ball events in aid of the Prince’s Trust. The Trust does an enormous amount of work for youngsters, some of whom come from very challenging backgrounds. BASC will certainly offer all its help and resources to introducing youngsters to the amazing sport of shooting in a safe and responsible manner.” Team entry costs £1,900 which includes breakfast, transport between stands in 4x4s courtesy of Bowker Motor Group, a post-shoot lunch prepared by Michelin starred chef Nigel Haworth and a champagne and canape reception. The day will end with an auction of exclusive lots to raise funds for the Prince’s Trust and a presentation of prizes to the winning teams. To find out more about entering a team, please contact Suzana Edwards on 07730922935 or email suzanaedwards@aol.com.
Fifth annual Wessex Inter-Club Clay Shoot
March 15th is the time for the fifth annual "Wessex Inter-Club Clay Shoot" for affiliated clubs. It has moved it forward a week, so it doesn't clash with the West Country Game Fair which many shooters like to attend. Although the competition is named the "Wessex Inter-Club Clay Shoot", it was decided by many to name the team trophy "The Bob Neal Memorial Shield" in memory of Bob who passed away 2 years or so ago and so many of us knew. Bob was a cornerstone in the setting up of this event. Last year teams from the Blackmore Vale Shooting and Conservation Society, Dorset Wildfowlers Association, West Hants Wildfowlers, Dorset Police, South Hants Wildfowlers, Dorset Gamebirds and Swanage gun clubs too part. We had a total of 36 shooters and the trophy was won by the South Hants Wildfowlers who put on a stunning performance. Can they hold on to the trophy this year ? The Individual High Gun perpetual trophy (sponsored by Graham Brown of Purbeck Shooting School) was won by Geoffrey Girling of South Hants with an incredible 91/100. Who will take the crown this year ? This year to make entering the competition a bit easier on the pocket, it has been decided to make it an 80 bird shoot costing a quoted £25.20 per shooter. It also makes time management a bit easier for those that want to be finished by lunchtime. Entries close midnight, Saturday 8th March. No exceptions. Please send your club or team name to johnmaiden1@talktalk.net If there are any volunteers from any of the clubs who would like to take part in the running of this competition we would love to here from them. Also, if you know of any bona-fide, BASC, NGO or NRA Club who would be interested in entering a team (3 shooters or more) please have them contact John Maiden (details below) If you have any questions, please feel free to call me on 07836 525330, 01202 801509 or email johnmaiden1@talktalk.net
BASC .410 World Championship 21st September 2013
The annual .410 World Championships, which attracts people from around the world to compete with the smallest calibre shotgun available, will be held in Wales on the 21st September 2013.
Lords beat Commons in annual clay-shooting competition.
Members of the House of Lords narrowly won the annual clay-shooting competition against the House of Commons, organised by BASC.