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Ham & Petersham Colts

Welcome to the web pages of the Junior Section of the club – H &P Colts

Our Aim

To develop an active interest in the Olympic sport of air rifle and pistol shooting from a very young age and encourage young people to shoot responsibly and safely.

The thriving Junior section was formed in October 2008 and demand for our courses and membership is currently outstripping our ability to cope! There is a waiting list for the Colts and anyone wishing to join the Juniors MUST put there name down on the waiting list at the club office.

Ages

Generally from the age of 8 to 16 years to join, members may stay in the Juniors until they reach the age of 18 years. However, the staff reserve the right to refuse anyone who in their opinion is not capable of handling an air rifle/ pistol safely. This includes the physical and mental aspects of this discipline. Physically handicapped Juniors are most welcome, as long as they can meet the afore mentioned criteria.

Costs

At the moment, there is a £10.00 charge for certificate, student handbook and badge from the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA) towards the cost of the nationally accredited Youth Proficiency Scheme. Registration is free.

There is also a £25.00 charge by the club towards the cost of targets and repairs/replacement of rifles and pistols. .177 air pellets can be purchased from the club shop. All other equipment is supplied free by the club.

Membership

In addition to the above costs, you must at the very least be a Probationary member of the club and have an adult member of your family or someone who is legally responsible for you to join as a member as well. There are no exceptions to this, although the adult may join as a non shooting member. The adult MUST remain on the premises as long as the Junior is present.

Please contact the club for further details. See main web pages regarding membership

How do we operate?

The Junior section has a qualified teacher in charge of it and he has over 30 years experience of teaching young people to shoot responsibly and safely. Our courses are accredited by the National Small Bore Rifle Association (NSRA) at Bisley. As far as we are aware we are the only shooting club in the country to run a proper Junior Section.

Our staff are CRB cleared by the Police. All the staff are volunteers and are committed to helping young people participate in an Olympic sport.

As well as the Youth Proficiency Scheme (lasts about 5 months 1hr each Sunday morning) we have now started internal shooting leagues for the Juniors. In addition, we have our own Junior Championship Trophy. We aim to shoot in national postal leagues very shortly and compete at regional and national competitions.

The courses are uniquely tailored to the individual and their ability, as well as taking into consideration holidays, sickness and short family commitments. However, we do expect to be informed of any non - attendance, otherwise we reserve the right to remove the junior from our section of the club.

Youth Proficiency Scheme

Nationally accredited by the N.S.R.A; we teach every aspect of the basics of becoming a good and safe shooter. The programme includes Gun law, safe handling and cleaning rifles and pistols, position, sights, breathing, trigger control and follow through. Not to mention a lot of shooting at 10 metres! The juniors have their own range outdoors and share another indoors when the weather is not so good.

A written test is taken by the Junior member only when the staff feel the person is ready and a shooting test is then taken to determine the level of ability for the badge and certificate that they will be awarded by the N.S.R.A.

They will be awarded one of the following provided that they reach the strict criteria of: -

Skilled Shot

Marksman

Expert Shot

Master Shot (highest award possible)

Junior League Table

Further information from the Youth Development Officer, Alan Walsh. email: JuniorsHPRPC@aol.com

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