120 competitors descended on Stoke Mandeville in January to find the ultimate shots in the British Schools Pistol Championships. Andy McGarty reports…
Two championship ambassadors, pistol shooters Issy Bailey (Rio 2016 Paralympian) and Kristian Callaghan (GB and England Team athlete) offered support and inspiration
Hosted by British Shooting, January’s National Finals of the 2017-18 British Schools Pistol Championships featured both individual and team events. Around 500 entrants from 280 different schools in England, Scotland and Wales had previously taken part in five regional qualifying events to select 120 finalists across three different age groups.
Two championship ambassadors, pistol shooters Issy Bailey (Rio 2016 Paralympian) and Kristian Callaghan (GB and England Team athlete), came to Stoke Mandeville to support the event and meet the young athletes who’d been inspired by their achievements.
The Intermediate final in particular was neck-and‑neck until the very last two shots
The standard of shooting was incredibly high, and each final was hotly contested. The Intermediate final in particular was neck-and‑neck until the very last two shots, with Charlotte Hicks from Cornwall finally taking Gold. With such a high standard, we have to wonder if one or more of the competitors are going to be a future international champion. Fingers crossed!
500 entrants from 280 different schools in England, Scotland and Wales took part in the initial heats
The competition was organised by Gorgs Geikie, British Shooting’s commercial and events coordinator, who told Airgun Shooter: “We are so happy after a hugely successful competition. It has grown year on year, and we hope this will inspire those who took part to stay involved in the sport for years to come. We can’t wait to get going again for the 2018-19 Championships at the end of this year!”
During the lunch break, Talent Pathway manager Dean Leak spoke to some of the competitors about Project Pistol, British Shooting’s Talent Programme and what it can offer young athletes.
The competition was organised by Gorgs Geikie, British Shooting’s commercial and events coordinator
Results: 2017-18 British Schools Pistol Championships
Junior Individual
1st James Caldwell, Ellesmere College
2nd Darcy Dryden, Leweston School
3rd Seona Scott, Stirling High School
Junior Team Medal
1st Ellesmere College
2nd Leweston School
3rd Dyffryn Taf Whitland
Intermediate Individual
1st Charlotte Hicks, home schooled
2nd Emilia Faulkner, Hutchesons Grammar School
3rd Kiril Voitiukevicous,
Holgate Academy
Intermediate Team Medal
1st Leweston School
2nd Stranraer Academy
3rd Dyffryn Taf Whitland
Senior Individual
1st James Miller, Glyn School
2nd Joseph Baker, Shavington Academy
3rd Harriet Watson, Stafford Grammar
Senior Team Medal
1st Glyn School
2nd St John’s Leatherhead
3rd Ellesmere College
This article originally appeared in the issue 106 of Airgun Shooter magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store: www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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