Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

The first-ever National Shooting Week was launched on Monday 21st May at the National Shooting Centre at Bisley, known as ‘the home of shooting’.

From Saturday May 26th to Sunday June 3rd, thousands of people across the UK will try one of the most exciting Olympic sports during National Shooting Week.

Shooting schools and clubs are putting on more than 200 open days across the country so the public can try shooting for the first time.

A group of the UK’s finest Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and international medal winning shooters were on hand at Bisley to lend their support to National Shooting Week. National Shooting Week is a Government-backed initiative created by the Countryside Alliance and organised by the British Shooting Sports Council (BSSC), the umbrella body for shooting sports.

Speaking at the launch, the Government spokesperson for shooting sports, Martin Salter MP said: “I fully support the ideals behind National Shooting Week, particularly with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in mind. The event will also demystify certain imagery surrounding guns and give members of the public a great day out in a safe environment.”

 Also at the launch was Shadow Sports Minister Hugh Robertson MP who said: “Shooting is one of the most inclusive Olympic and Paralympic sports, where gender, age and disability are no barriers to success. I applaud National Shooting Week as an excellent idea to promote a sport in which Britain excels. We must give our best shooters every chance to shine in the future.”

Lord Shrewsbury, chairman of event organiser, the British Shooting Sports Council, said: “At the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, shooting accounted for 23 out of the UK’s 116 medals, so the sport will have a huge role to play in the 2012 Olympic Games. National Shooting Week is all about people experiencing a popular sport that Britain is actually good at!”

Olympic gold medallist Richard Faulds, who gave a shooting demonstration, said:  “I’m delighted to support National Shooting Week because initiatives to raise awareness of shooting sports in the public eye on a grand scale can only be a good thing.”

Sports Minister Richard Caborn did not attend the Bisley launch, but said: “I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those involved in the event every success. Offering people a chance to try Olympic and Paralympic sports may inspire future 2012 medallists.  Britain has a strong track record of Olympic shooting success.”

Click here for a shooting factsheet, or click here to find your nearest event. 

Countryside Alliance chairman Kate Hoey MP with (l-r) air rifle champion Nathan Sutherland, top pistol shot Samantha Buckley, pentathlete Montana Jones and the UK's record Commonwealth Games medal holder Mick Gault. Front, top air rifle shot Nathan Milgate.