With the summer target shooting season now ended and the indoor season not commencing until early October, news is thin on the ground I am afraid. However, we do have a squad competing in a major international in Cardiff at the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (European Division) Championships over next weekend September 24th – 25th and I am sure our best wishes go to the team.
Those involved are Gemma Kermode, Michael Duncalf, John Wood, Tracey Skelton, Rachel Glover and Sharon Drysdale and some tough training sessions have been held by the locals at Sinclair during recent weeks and some excellent practice scores give heart - and even York based, Rachel Glover managed a flying visit. Also involved in the squad is Harry Creevy, acting as overall shooting manager, who has a mountain of knowledge with International shooting competition and I know this knowledge will be valuable to the Manx squad and as this competition also includes clays and air rifle/pistol, I know Harry will be a very busy manager bouncing from all three ranges.
Secretary and Treasurer of the CSF(ED) is local ex-international shooter, Stewart Watterson who will also be on hand in Cardiff.
First Names Group team “Hitman ‘n Her” Win the 2016 Corporate League Trophy
The Isle of Man Shooting Club’s 2016 Corporate 10 man League has been won by First Names Group (No 1) team ‘Hitman n Her’, a team of thirteen who’s top 10 scores managed a very impressive 1787.9 and when presented with the trophy, the delighted company indicated their intention to immediately defend the title in 2017. Other teams who competed in the popular event, along with their scores, throughout the summer were Bridgewaters (IoM) Limited – 1687.0, First Names Group (No 2 team) - 1748.5, Lloyds Bank – 1723.9, Manx Telecom – 1657.4, Douglas Explorer Scouts – 1561.2 and Middle and Western Explorer Scouts – 1614.8 from where the individual top score winner came, namely Pauline Quaye who posted a staggering score of 196.2! If any corporate institution is interested in partaking in the 2017 league, information can be obtained from Nick Brown on 491436, 620003 or nickb@manx.net
The competition format is based on a one off evening of ten or more shooters with the top ten counting as their team. Age and gender is not a disadvantage.
IoMRA Indoor League Programme
The Isle of Man Rifle Association Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday at which the fixture programme for the 2016/17 15 yards indoor season was approved with the first league matches taking place on October 10th. Proposed matches will be - IoMSC Douglas entertaining Castletown at Sinclair, Sulby take the long trek to The Glen Gardens in Laxey, Port St Mary welcome IoMSC Sandsiders and Kirk Michael receive the first bye of the season. Prospect for the League this season looks as if it may be a very closely contested competition with three teams, Sulby, Port St Mary and IoMSC Douglas all determined to dominate throughout. Several local teams are struggling to field full teams so if anyone who has either been previously involved and would be interested in reacquainting with the sport or someone who may be interested in taking up the sport (age or gender is no limit), they would be more than welcome at any of the seven clubs involved.
Contacts are:-
Sulby & District Rifle Club – Barry Jones barryandjaccie@manx.net
Kirk Michael Rifle Club – Suzanne McKnight suzannemck@manx.net
Port St Mary Rifle Club – Gary Knight 2garyknight@manx.net; or 2garyknight@gmail.com
Laxey & District Rifle Club – John Wood johnwood@manx.net
Castletown Rifle Club - John Brewis kwax@manx.net
IoMSC Douglas – Nick Brown nickb@manx.net
IoMSC Sandsiders - Andrew Traynor andrew_traynor@manx.net
All clubs have rifles and kit available to use and instructors on hand to help newcomers get into the sport
