Amongst many other aims and objectives, the WTSF is committed to the development of target shooting athletes from grassroots, up to, and including performance at Commonwealth Games and Olympic level.
The new programme due for launch on 1st July 2023 has been designed to encourage youngsters and newcomers to the sport, to continue to support those athletes already some way into their competitive shooting careers, right up to those athletes currently performing at the highest level.
The next major event for the WTSF will be the 2026 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Victoria, Australia and it is hoped that our new performance programme will enhance the medal chances of our Welsh athletes, as we try to build on the record-breaking results achieved back on the Gold coast in 2018.
Applications for the Performance Programme open on the 17th May 2023 and close on the 29th May 2023. Successful applicants will be notified on the 6th June subject to any appeals. The formal announcement will be made on the 23rd June.
There are three different levels of the Programme:
The full description of each of these levels and what is included in the Performance Programme can be found on the Performance Programme page.
It is recommended that you carefully read the Pathway Programme Policy documents prior to making an application. The information below is additional information and guidance.
A link to the application form is at the end of this post.
Successful applicants will be keen and able to commit to a two-year programme of coaching and must be prepared to actively practise and compete between sessions, keeping records of their progress, for discussion and analysis with their coach.
Those athletes looking to apply for the Potential Performance and High Performance Programme, please be aware, there is a Minimum Consideration Standard (MCS) to be met and that the achievement of an MCS does not guarantee a place on the programme.
Clay proportionate scores from 100 target competitions
To help you better understand what each of the discipline coaches are looking for from applicants here is some advice from each of them:
Richard Stepney is the lead coach for Olympic shotgun shooting. He said “The shotgun development programme is designed for shooters who have experience shooting any shotgun discipline, I would love to see applications from shooters who have a passion for shotgun shooting and want to transfer their skills to shooting the Olympic disciplines or those who are already shooting the Olympic disciplines and want to improve. The training sessions will be at Griffin Lloyd grounds in Llangunllo, Knighton, Powys and you would need to arrange your own travel and accommodation and have your own shotgun. Coaching, targets and ground hire will be paid by the WTSF, you will need to cover other costs. If you have questions about your Olympic shotgun development programme application please contact me by email”
Alan Green is the lead coach for air pistol. He said “The air pistol development programme is designed for shooters who have experience shooting any air pistol discipline. I would like to see applications from shooters who have been shooting the schools air pistol competitions and those who have been shooting at Pony Club tetrathlon events and want to transition to the Olympic 10m event as well as those who already shoot the Olympic 10m event and want to improve, you will need to have your own air pistol. The training sessions will be at the WTSF ranges, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, and you would need to arrange your own travel and accommodation. Coaching, targets and range hire will be paid by the WTSF, you will need to cover other costs. If you have questions about your air pistol development programme application please contact me by email”
Martin Watkins is the lead coach for fullbore rifle shooting. He said “The fullbore development programme is designed for shooters who have experience shooting either smallbore or fullbore firearms. Applications from shooters who have competed for their Cadet Unit, School, University or are currently shooting fullbore rifle in competitions, would be most welcome. The training sessions will be at Bisley in Surrey and you would need to arrange your own travel and accommodation. Initially, a limited number of firearms will be available for loan from the Welsh Rifle Association, but it is expected that you will purchase much of your own equipment during the first year on the programme. Coaching, targets and range hire will be paid by the WTSF, you will need to cover other costs. If you have questions about your fullbore development programme application please contact me by email”
Dave Phelps is the lead coach for smallbore and air rifle. He said “The smallbore and air rifle development programmes are designed for shooters who have experience shooting any rifle discipline. For air rifle it would be great to see applications from shooters who have been shooting the schools sporter rifle 10m competitions and who want to transition to the Olympic 10m event as well as those who already shoot the Olympic 10m event and want to improve, you will need to have your own air rifle. For .22 smallbore rifle, you will need to have your own licenced rifle and be aiming to start shooting prone, kneeling and standing within the first year of the programme. The training sessions will be at the WTSF ranges, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff or other local ranges as required, and you would need to arrange your own travel and accommodation. Coaching, targets and range hire will be paid by the WTSF, you will need to cover other costs. If you have questions about your smallbore or air rifle development programme application please contact me by email”
Applications are open.
The deadline for submission of the online form is 23:00 (11pm) on Monday 29th May 2023.
Click the green button to start your application
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