Caithness shooters on the mark at coaching and and training weekend

SHOOTERS from throughout the county gathered at the Wick Old Stagers range recently for an extensive long weekend of target rifle shooting, coaching and training.

The Caithness Smallbore Rifle Association event was organised by Peter Richard, of Pentland Rifle Club, in conjunction with the county committee, with course materials presented by Inverness-based Target Technique.

During the weekend, National Small Bore Rifle Association range conducting officers qualifications were awarded to Alex Jappy (Westfield), Peter Richard (Pentland), Brian Young (Wick Old Stagers), Peter Gates (Pentland), Michael Sutherland (Westfield) and David Wilson (Watten).

Electronic targets are seen as the future of the sport and the county association has initially purchased two to share around the shooting clubs. A short course was presented on how to set up and operate the electronic system, making the county clubs among the most up to date in the UK.

Coaching sessions were also presented to a number of keen athletes to improve their skills. Among them were a number of youngsters showing great talent.

Maria Maoileoin, of Target Technique, said that the juniors had the potential to do well on a bigger stage, telling the association: "They have the skills and willingness. If they have the time, money and support to travel then there is little to hold them back."

The coaching course included theory, rifle/position set-up and shooting on electronic training systems, all under the watchful eyes of the coaches from Inverness.

The range officers course, coaching and megalink set-up were judged a success and the organisers were heartened to see so many junior, novice and seasoned shooters attending.

Anyone interested in trying the sport of precision target shooting can contact the association via http://www.csbra.org.uk/contact-us.html

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