National Shooting Week

NSW is launched with a bang by Olympic legend Peter Wilson

National Shooting Week (NSW) will run from 25 May to 2 June this year and will offer a taste of the Olympic sports of clay pigeon and target shooting to the public at a special discounted price.

Over 70 shoots around the country have signed up to take part in NSW, which last year saw hundreds of newcomers try the sport.

On Friday 17 May, Olympic Double Trap gold medallist Peter Wilson launched NSW at his local shooting school, Southern Counties in Dorset, where he has trained for many years.

During the day, children from Yewstock Special School in Sturminster Newton got the chance to try out shooting for the first time under the guidance of the Olympic champ.

Ashley Pike, aged 15, said: “I had a brilliant time and even managed to hit the clay pigeon. Peter was really cool.” [We agree! – Sporting Shooter]

Peter said: “Shooting is an amazing sport. It instils strong values of respect, honesty, safety and a competitive spirit in those taking part, so is a great sport for children to get involved in.”

“I am very proud to be an ambassador for National Shooting Week. Allowing more people to try their hand at shooting and raise its profile is a real opportunity.”

And Barney White-Spunner, Executive Chairman of the Countryside Alliance, which runs NSW, added: “We are very grateful to the shooting grounds that take part in NSW each year. Their training and enthusiasm is a real asset to the sport.”

To find out more about NSW and your nearest ground taking part in the scheme, go to www.nationalshootingweek.co.uk