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Shooting: Rifle shooter Jen is a target
Jun 8 2005
By Simon Rushworth, The Journal
Mainstream acceptance is the target of the region's rifle shooting community.
Assistant Sports Editor Simon Rushworth fixed his sights on a sporting taboo.
***********
Jen Charlton is accustomed to prejudice. Her all-consuming passion can induce another person's panic, her talent is often viewed as a tainted gift.
Nobody expects a 20-year-old student to wield a rifle with the unerring accuracy of a forces veteran and, for a vocal minority, Jen's aptitude for shooting is shocking.
But it is through a new generation of fresh-faced competitors that a sport striving for credibility hopes to heal a reputation battered by the high-profile disasters of Dunblane, Hungerford and, closer to home, Monkseaton.
Emerging from the shadow of two decades of gun-induced tragedy, Jen and her ilk are level-headed and responsible proof there is nothing dangerous or deadly about target shooting. According to the sport's chief protagonists, the real threat lies in the fear and lack of perception which clouds opinion and hampers progress.
"In general people don't know what shooting's all about and the lack of understanding can be a problem," conceded Jen, surrounded by the gleaming spoils of her fledgling rifle shooting career at home in Cleadon, South Tyneside.
"We're not going around killing animals - we shoot at targets in a controlled environment and everyone is licensed."
As a teenage recruit at the local Air Cadets - Jen moved from the South Shields squadron to Sunderland before joining the City of Newcastle Rifle Club - a love of target practice became a serious addiction.
Unaware of the unassuming talent in their midst, pupils at Whitburn Comprehensive only became conscious of their fellow student's forte when Great Britain's coaching team came calling. By then Jen was beginning a journey which, she hopes, will lead to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
"I became a member of the South Shields squadron when I was 13 and picked up a rifle a couple of years later," she explained. "There was only me and one of my best friends who were in the Air Cadets at school and nobody really knew what we got up to!
"I'll always owe a debt to the two people who helped me progress - I wouldn't be here without Mel Turnbull at Shields and Colin Crann at Sunderland.
"Because of them I've been shooting for five years now and I was selected for the GB Under-19s in 2003 for a tour to South Africa. I've also been to Canada with the GB Rifle Team and I suppose that's when I realised I could achieve something in the sport." Later this month Jen and her Under-25 team-mates join Britain's senior squad in Australia for a prestigious summer tournament which marks the start of a hectic summer of high-class competition.
The action moves to Bisley in July - the Surrey home of British shooting and a regular, if inconvenient, base for the North-East's nomadic shooting star.
"I'm at university in Edinburgh and my home is in South Tyneside so travelling to Surrey every few weeks is a drain on my time and my money," added Jen. "It's not easy to attain my goals.
"For the opportunity to represent my country I have to pay my own travel, accommodation and ammunition costs. There's no financial assistance from the governing bodies and it's a case of tapping into student loans and my parents' bank balance in order to remain at the top level."
Without incredible determination and desire, Jen would have faltered in the face of prejudice, disdain and a potentially crippling a lack of funds.
Making her mark as a rifle woman of some repute has been far from easy and she added: "As well as being very competitive, target shooting is still a male dominated sport.
"Girls aren't expected to be involved and I don't think many girls think about getting involved. If and when they do, the odds are stacked against them." Single-minded resolve is a quality Jen requires on and off the range. Unruffled by those who label her sport uncouth, the sports science undergraduate is unfazed by the pressure of meticulous competition.
"There's a lot of psychology involved in shooting," explained Jen. "If you take one bad shot it can play on your mind but you can't afford to dwell on a mistake. Staying focused and relaxed is the key.
"There can be as many as five minutes between each shot and the weather conditions can change dramatically in that time. We shoot from 300 to 1,000 yards and the smallest targets are on six-foot frames. Maintaining your concentration is vital."
Great Britain's coaching staff will take a keen interest in Jen's performance and mindset during this month's trip Down Under. "I can't wait for Australia," she said. "It's the norm to go on tour in the summer and it's a great experience. We spend most of the time there with the senior team and that's where I want to be in the future.
"I'd like to think I could make the step up within the next few years and there are some 25-year-olds in the senior squad. I want to try out for the full team - it has to be my ambition now. The 2006 Commonwealth Games will come too soon for me but 2010 is realistic."
Barrister makes a case for his sport
Tarnished by tragedies far beyond their control, shooting enthusiasts across the country are increasingly confident a pastime once viewed as politically incorrect can regain the moral high ground.
Frank in their admission that guns will always be anathema to those touched by the destructive force of the bullet, experienced competitors are nevertheless anxious to dispel the myths which plague their chosen sport.
The City of Newcastle Rifle Club, which boasts two current British internationals, is at the forefront of a national drive to deliver transparency, inclusiveness and peace of mind.
"The sport was popular after the Second World War but then dipped with every fresh incidence of a shooting tragedy," said 44-year-old Jonathan Holmes, a member of the GB Target Rifle squad heading for Australia this month.
"Dunblane is the tragedy people remember most and of course it had an effect on what we do.
"Shooting became socially unacceptable and, in the eyes of many, it still is. It's my job, and the job of the people I compete alongside and against, to show the sport in a different light.
"It's difficult to obtain a firearms certificate these days, so it's not easy to own and maintain a rifle.
"We work hand in hand with the local police and enjoy a very good relationship with them.
"As long as people take the necessary precautions, there are very few problems.
"There is no safety issue with registered rifle shooters as far as I'm concerned, but I accept that some people are allergic to guns full stop.
"We will never change their opinions, but it is essential that fair minded members of the public understand what we do." In Holmes and Newcastle team-mate Jen Charlton, the North-East boasts two of the country's leading competitors and most personable ambassadors.
Hardly renowned as a hotbed of marksmanship, a region steeped in shooting history is, nevertheless, home to a thriving club capable of delivering high-calibre performers.
"Jennifer is an extremely good advert for our sport," added Holmes.
"She's the face of the new generation and we're delighted to have her on board at the City of Newcastle.
"There are young people coming into the sport but it would be fair to say there is a majority of more experienced members. People like Jennifer can help redress the balance." Holmes, a barrister by trade, has dedicated three decades of his life to target rifling and this month's GB tour represents the latest stage in a lifelong pursuit of perfection.
"I've been shooting since I was at school and then I began competing for Newcastle University and the Territorial Army," he added.
"I got hooked when I joined the cadets and I've competed ever since.
"The closest analogy I can draw is with golf. You compete against yourself as much as your opponents, you get to spend time in the great outdoors and you're always striving for perfection.
"Just as you can get a hole in one playing golf, it's possible to attain a perfect score in rifle shooting. But both are very rare."
Where to go to set your sights
The City of Newcastle Rifle Club celebrated its centenary in 2000. More than 30 members, ranging in age from 20 to 60-plus, meet twice a month at the Army's Ponteland range. The summer season extends from May until August.
City of Newcastle members contest full bore target rifle competitions regionally and internationally. Inter-counties events dominate the domestic scene with England and Great Britain international matches held regularly throughout the summer.
Experienced riflemen and women can contact Michael Black at [email protected] for further information on the City of Newcastle club. For enthusiasts based in the south of the region, Darlington boasts a rifle club which uses the Battle Hill military range near Barnard Castle.
Both Jen Charlton and Jonathan Holmes were introduced to rifle shooting after joining their local cadet forces. Contact Northumbria Cadet Force on (01670) 732323 for further details. Combined Cadet Force bases operate out of Newcastle's Royal Grammar School, Durham School, Barnard Castle School and Yarm School.
The Great Britain squad departs for its challenge match in Australia this weekend. Under 25 and Senior teams will compete against the host nation, Canada, America, South Africa and Malaysia later this month.
http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/0...-rifle-shooter-jen-is-a-target-name_page.html
Jun 8 2005
By Simon Rushworth, The Journal
Mainstream acceptance is the target of the region's rifle shooting community.
Assistant Sports Editor Simon Rushworth fixed his sights on a sporting taboo.
***********
Jen Charlton is accustomed to prejudice. Her all-consuming passion can induce another person's panic, her talent is often viewed as a tainted gift.
Nobody expects a 20-year-old student to wield a rifle with the unerring accuracy of a forces veteran and, for a vocal minority, Jen's aptitude for shooting is shocking.
But it is through a new generation of fresh-faced competitors that a sport striving for credibility hopes to heal a reputation battered by the high-profile disasters of Dunblane, Hungerford and, closer to home, Monkseaton.
Emerging from the shadow of two decades of gun-induced tragedy, Jen and her ilk are level-headed and responsible proof there is nothing dangerous or deadly about target shooting. According to the sport's chief protagonists, the real threat lies in the fear and lack of perception which clouds opinion and hampers progress.
"In general people don't know what shooting's all about and the lack of understanding can be a problem," conceded Jen, surrounded by the gleaming spoils of her fledgling rifle shooting career at home in Cleadon, South Tyneside.
"We're not going around killing animals - we shoot at targets in a controlled environment and everyone is licensed."
As a teenage recruit at the local Air Cadets - Jen moved from the South Shields squadron to Sunderland before joining the City of Newcastle Rifle Club - a love of target practice became a serious addiction.
Unaware of the unassuming talent in their midst, pupils at Whitburn Comprehensive only became conscious of their fellow student's forte when Great Britain's coaching team came calling. By then Jen was beginning a journey which, she hopes, will lead to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
"I became a member of the South Shields squadron when I was 13 and picked up a rifle a couple of years later," she explained. "There was only me and one of my best friends who were in the Air Cadets at school and nobody really knew what we got up to!
"I'll always owe a debt to the two people who helped me progress - I wouldn't be here without Mel Turnbull at Shields and Colin Crann at Sunderland.
"Because of them I've been shooting for five years now and I was selected for the GB Under-19s in 2003 for a tour to South Africa. I've also been to Canada with the GB Rifle Team and I suppose that's when I realised I could achieve something in the sport." Later this month Jen and her Under-25 team-mates join Britain's senior squad in Australia for a prestigious summer tournament which marks the start of a hectic summer of high-class competition.
The action moves to Bisley in July - the Surrey home of British shooting and a regular, if inconvenient, base for the North-East's nomadic shooting star.
"I'm at university in Edinburgh and my home is in South Tyneside so travelling to Surrey every few weeks is a drain on my time and my money," added Jen. "It's not easy to attain my goals.
"For the opportunity to represent my country I have to pay my own travel, accommodation and ammunition costs. There's no financial assistance from the governing bodies and it's a case of tapping into student loans and my parents' bank balance in order to remain at the top level."
Without incredible determination and desire, Jen would have faltered in the face of prejudice, disdain and a potentially crippling a lack of funds.
Making her mark as a rifle woman of some repute has been far from easy and she added: "As well as being very competitive, target shooting is still a male dominated sport.
"Girls aren't expected to be involved and I don't think many girls think about getting involved. If and when they do, the odds are stacked against them." Single-minded resolve is a quality Jen requires on and off the range. Unruffled by those who label her sport uncouth, the sports science undergraduate is unfazed by the pressure of meticulous competition.
"There's a lot of psychology involved in shooting," explained Jen. "If you take one bad shot it can play on your mind but you can't afford to dwell on a mistake. Staying focused and relaxed is the key.
"There can be as many as five minutes between each shot and the weather conditions can change dramatically in that time. We shoot from 300 to 1,000 yards and the smallest targets are on six-foot frames. Maintaining your concentration is vital."
Great Britain's coaching staff will take a keen interest in Jen's performance and mindset during this month's trip Down Under. "I can't wait for Australia," she said. "It's the norm to go on tour in the summer and it's a great experience. We spend most of the time there with the senior team and that's where I want to be in the future.
"I'd like to think I could make the step up within the next few years and there are some 25-year-olds in the senior squad. I want to try out for the full team - it has to be my ambition now. The 2006 Commonwealth Games will come too soon for me but 2010 is realistic."
Barrister makes a case for his sport
Tarnished by tragedies far beyond their control, shooting enthusiasts across the country are increasingly confident a pastime once viewed as politically incorrect can regain the moral high ground.
Frank in their admission that guns will always be anathema to those touched by the destructive force of the bullet, experienced competitors are nevertheless anxious to dispel the myths which plague their chosen sport.
The City of Newcastle Rifle Club, which boasts two current British internationals, is at the forefront of a national drive to deliver transparency, inclusiveness and peace of mind.
"The sport was popular after the Second World War but then dipped with every fresh incidence of a shooting tragedy," said 44-year-old Jonathan Holmes, a member of the GB Target Rifle squad heading for Australia this month.
"Dunblane is the tragedy people remember most and of course it had an effect on what we do.
"Shooting became socially unacceptable and, in the eyes of many, it still is. It's my job, and the job of the people I compete alongside and against, to show the sport in a different light.
"It's difficult to obtain a firearms certificate these days, so it's not easy to own and maintain a rifle.
"We work hand in hand with the local police and enjoy a very good relationship with them.
"As long as people take the necessary precautions, there are very few problems.
"There is no safety issue with registered rifle shooters as far as I'm concerned, but I accept that some people are allergic to guns full stop.
"We will never change their opinions, but it is essential that fair minded members of the public understand what we do." In Holmes and Newcastle team-mate Jen Charlton, the North-East boasts two of the country's leading competitors and most personable ambassadors.
Hardly renowned as a hotbed of marksmanship, a region steeped in shooting history is, nevertheless, home to a thriving club capable of delivering high-calibre performers.
"Jennifer is an extremely good advert for our sport," added Holmes.
"She's the face of the new generation and we're delighted to have her on board at the City of Newcastle.
"There are young people coming into the sport but it would be fair to say there is a majority of more experienced members. People like Jennifer can help redress the balance." Holmes, a barrister by trade, has dedicated three decades of his life to target rifling and this month's GB tour represents the latest stage in a lifelong pursuit of perfection.
"I've been shooting since I was at school and then I began competing for Newcastle University and the Territorial Army," he added.
"I got hooked when I joined the cadets and I've competed ever since.
"The closest analogy I can draw is with golf. You compete against yourself as much as your opponents, you get to spend time in the great outdoors and you're always striving for perfection.
"Just as you can get a hole in one playing golf, it's possible to attain a perfect score in rifle shooting. But both are very rare."
Where to go to set your sights
The City of Newcastle Rifle Club celebrated its centenary in 2000. More than 30 members, ranging in age from 20 to 60-plus, meet twice a month at the Army's Ponteland range. The summer season extends from May until August.
City of Newcastle members contest full bore target rifle competitions regionally and internationally. Inter-counties events dominate the domestic scene with England and Great Britain international matches held regularly throughout the summer.
Experienced riflemen and women can contact Michael Black at [email protected] for further information on the City of Newcastle club. For enthusiasts based in the south of the region, Darlington boasts a rifle club which uses the Battle Hill military range near Barnard Castle.
Both Jen Charlton and Jonathan Holmes were introduced to rifle shooting after joining their local cadet forces. Contact Northumbria Cadet Force on (01670) 732323 for further details. Combined Cadet Force bases operate out of Newcastle's Royal Grammar School, Durham School, Barnard Castle School and Yarm School.
The Great Britain squad departs for its challenge match in Australia this weekend. Under 25 and Senior teams will compete against the host nation, Canada, America, South Africa and Malaysia later this month.
http://icteesside.icnetwork.co.uk/0...-rifle-shooter-jen-is-a-target-name_page.html
