At the beginning of this year, and commencing the current 4 year Olympic cycle, British Shooting was subject to a dramatic reduction in funding it receives from UK Sport for performance athletes.

British Shooting uses this funding in the preparation of elite shooters during an Olympic cycle in preparation for the next Olympic Games, of course currently London 2012.

 

The consequence of the reduction in funding means that a major review has had to take place regarding what was previously known as the ‘Performance Pathway’.  As a result of this review it became apparent that we could no longer afford the role of a full time Performance Director, which has subsequently led to the departure of John Leighton-Dyson.

A new Olympic Performance Group has been established to oversee the necessary changes, and this comprises of a representative from Clay Target – Ian Peel, a representative from Rifle & Pistol – Phil Scanlan, the three discipline head coaches, currently Kimmo Yli Jaskari, Peter Flippant, and Ian Coley, under the independent chairmanship of Roger Moreland.  Also present  will be the chairman of British Shooting, Phil Boakes, and a representative of UK Sport, currently Jon Austin. An additional representative vacancy exists, which will be filled by someone from outside the shooting sport, but with a performance background, ideally an Olympic athlete from another sport.

 

One of the immediate tasks of the group, under guidance from UK Sport, was to review the athletes currently on the Pathway, and with the new financial restrictions in place, some difficult decisions had to be taken. As a result, the group has decided there will be only two supported training groups going forward, based on individual athlete performances and coach recommendations. These will be Double Trap, comprising Richard Faulds, Steve Scott & Steve Walton,  and Men's Rifle, comprising Jon Hammond and Neil Stirton.

 

As the numbers of athletes are now significantly less than the original pathway programme, new selection policies will be published in order to take into account potential selection of non –supported athletes for all ISSF events including World Cups and European/World Championships. There will also be published a set of criteria needed in order to move onto the supported programme should funds allow, and subject to ratification by the Olympic Performance Group.

 

This has been a difficult transition for British Shooting and the performance pathway, particularly in the build up to a home Olympics. Our remaining coaches and/or Olympic Performance Group members will be in discussions with all those athletes who can no longer be supported on the Pathway as to how they can best be supported elsewhere, including Home Countries, TASS, independent sponsors etc.

 

Any further information will be circulated as and when it becomes available.