Pupils could be taught to shoot
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Wales could be taught how to shoot if one of Britain’s biggest shooting lobby groups has its way.
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has urged the Welsh Government to encourage state schools to promote shooting sports as a way of making young people more active.
In a submission to a Welsh Assembly inquiry into physical activity among children and young people, the BASC extolled the health benefits of shooting.
The UK’s largest shooting organisation, which is near Wrexham, added that young people in state schools should be given the same opportunity to learn about shooting as those in private education.
And the organisation claimed that learning to shoot would instil “good habits and high standards” among children.
According to the BASC, participation in shooting is growing, with more than 76,000 people taking part in the sport in Wales.
BASC official Dr Peter Marshall said: “Shooting is open to all backgrounds, ages and abilities and is an activity that people can take part in throughout their lives. Education is a key part in learning to shoot which will instil good habits and high standards.
“Many children from private schools get to enjoy shooting as part of their extracurricular activities. However, these opportunities do not seem to be afforded to state schools.
“Schoolchildren should be given the same opportunities whatever their background or education. It’s important to remember that shooting is a socially inclusive sport, which is safe, fun and in which boys and girls can compete on an even keel.”
Dr Marshall added: “Shooting is a good tool for getting children out of the classroom and engaging them with the countryside. The health benefits to being in the outdoors are well evidenced and should be available to as many young people as possible.
“BASC welcomes the Welsh Government’s decision to analyse the physical activity levels of its schoolchildren and hope shooting will be recognised for the opportunities it provides.”
BASC has even offered to provide shooting introductory days to Welsh schools, based around the association’s previous engagement with West Rise Junior School in Eastbourne, East Sussex.
Duncan Greaves, BASC council member for Wales, said: “We have provided primary school children at West Rise Junior with an annual opportunity to have a go at clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting and learning about the important role that shooting plays in the management and conservation of the British countryside.
“It has proven extremely popular with the children and is a model which could be rolled out elsewhere.”
The BASC received some support from the Countryside Alliance, which has suggested that country sports such as fishing could be used to help children couple learning with experiences.
Rachel Evans, Countryside Alliance director for Wales, said: “I very much welcome the approach to Welsh Government to encourage the teaching of shooting within the curriculum.”