Celebrating Women in Shooting at The Game Fair 2026

- Features

August 10, 2026

BASC’s Lois Pettitt looks back on what makes BASC’s annual Women in Shooting gathering at The Game Fair so special, including the launch of our new campaign aimed at growing the community further.

There is always something particularly special about the BASC Women in Shooting reception at The Game Fair. Bringing together more than 100 women from across the shooting community is always a wonderful celebration of the women making their mark across the sector, as well as an opportunity to build new connections and inspire those who may be considering getting involved.

The reception welcomed women from all areas of the shooting world and, while their experiences and backgrounds may be very different, everyone came together with a shared passion for shooting and the countryside.

The relaxed atmosphere meant that attendees had the opportunity to meet new people, catch up with familiar faces and discover more about the different stories and experiences represented within the shooting community.

The event was buzzing with conversation. That is one of the real strengths of the Women in Shooting reception: it creates a space where connections can happen naturally. Sometimes the most valuable conversations happen when people are simply standing together, sharing what they love about shooting and everything that comes with it.

Stronger connections

There is so much knowledge and enthusiasm within the women’s shooting community. Bringing these people together not only helps to share that knowledge and create opportunities for collaboration, but also very often builds long-lasting friendships and stronger connections.

It was a real privilege to present Megan Borthwick with the Women in Shooting Award, alongside BASC vice chair Claire Sadler, in recognition of her outstanding achievements as head gamekeeper at the Charlton Shoot in Northumberland. The dedication and expertise Megan brings to her role is a fantastic example of the contribution women are making across the shooting and gamekeeping community.

The reception was also a powerful reminder of the diversity of women involved in shooting. There is no single ‘type’ of woman who shoots, and there is no single route into the sport. Some have grown up around shooting, while others have discovered it later in life. Some are passionate about competition, others about game shooting, conservation, countryside management or simply enjoying time outdoors with friends and family. For women who are new to shooting, that diversity is particularly important. Seeing women from different backgrounds coming together sends a powerful message: there is a place for you here.

This is my story, what’s yours?

Celebrating the women already involved is only part of the picture. We also need to encourage more women to take that first step.

That is why the BASC ‘This is my story’ campaign is so important. The campaign aims to share the routes into shooting by women and share their experiences. Through this it is hoped to help make shooting more visible, welcoming and relatable to women who may never have considered getting involved.

We’d love you to get involved: your story does not have to be extraordinary. It could be about the person who introduced you to shooting, your first experience on a clay ground, discovering a passion for conservation, following a family tradition or finding a new community and friendship through the sport. Whatever your story, it has the potential to inspire someone else.

The Women in Shooting reception at The Game Fair 2026 showed just how much can be achieved when women come together. Now, we can take that spirit beyond The Game Fair.

Share your story

If you are a woman involved in shooting, I urge you to share your experience as part of our ‘This is my story. What’s yours?‘ campaign. Share your advice, tell us what brought you into shooting, what you enjoy and what being part of this community means to you.

All you need to do is fill out this form and we will do the rest. We will take the stories sent to us and feature them across our communications channels to try and encourage more women to get involved.

Your story could be the one that encourages another woman to get involved and helps grow the community.