OddJob Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 I'm a teacher at fairly rural school in North Essex and I've been thinking about the concept of a clay shooting club at the school. I think it would be perfect as I'm sure some of the parents shoot and it would be great to get the promotion of country pursuits in the area. There is nothing at all like it at the school and no real history of such a thing. I do know such things happen however and I was wondering if any of you run or are part of one? I would like to benefit from some wisdom to see if the idea is realistic or not worth starting. Some questions I have would be: - How to gauge interest - Where to get instruction from (I am too inexperienced to be able to instruct) - Partnerships: do you run with shooting grounds/companies/sponsors? - Do you use shooting grounds or school grounds? - How do you actually run the club? e.g. a set method/curriculum to work through week by week - Is it all self financed by the students/parents or are there subsidies/sponsorships about? Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Felsted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diceman Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 I have no useful info but would like to say, well done, good on you and good luck. The more juniors we can bring to the sport the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 (edited) Felsted? Good guess but my school is a comprehensive so possibly even more challenging to get in. Want to come help out? Edited June 1, 2011 by OddJob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 What about an Air rifle section ? Something like Field Targets Shooting ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Good guess but my school is a comprehensive so possibly even more challenging to get in. Want to come help out? Does it have a ladies 6th form netball / volley ball team? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kes Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 (edited) I started one with friends at my comp - way back. It was hit with all sorts of students. Started by advertising an after school session at which interest was to be guaged and ran that on two occassions so that parents /students could attend at least one. School funds paid for the trap. Need to get this right, focus on safety but also the fun elements. We made up a short presentation which expalined what the club would do and aspirations etc Some interesting facts, e.g. most of the first world war fighter aces and snipers were game shooters and keepers who knew about deflection shooting/ windage /camouflage etc. I feel sure a company like Promatic would help with a trap and some instruction - most of their chaps and even lasses seem to shoot and very well. Just needs researching with a few names and perhaps linked in to a local gunshop. We used the school grounds but I would suggest a clay school who would probably give you the safety chats free and reduce the price of a round to promote the ground to future users, especially if there are a good number. A lot of our initial members were farmers sons who allowed the group to shoot clays on their land, which adds interest. We had a lot of fun and I seem to remember it attracted quite a few female 'groupies'. Amazing really but as fifth formers we had our own guns - no certs, no slips. I used to carry mine across the road to the school. No supervision was required just us lads - no risk assessments etc. No body was injured and all had a good time. Edited June 2, 2011 by Kes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Does it have a ladies 6th form netball / volley ball team? I can see a crb might be a sticking point Kes thanks for that. I can imagine there will be raised eyebrows with safety, but ive taken naughty kids shooting and besides, I'm part of the behaviour management team. They mess about they die in more ways than one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thank you for people's input and offers of support, it's very kind. Does anyone on here run a clay shooting club either at school or else where? I would be great to know some of the costs and safety aspects of running such a venture, as well as possible opportunities for competing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 Thank you for people's input and offers of support, it's very kind. Does anyone on here run a clay shooting club either at school or else where? I would be great to know some of the costs and safety aspects of running such a venture, as well as possible opportunities for competing. This might be a useful link for you? http://www.theschoolschallenge.co.uk/schools/ Hedingham School aren't far from you, so could be worth popping along for a chat and see how they set up and run their club? Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 This might be a useful link for you? http://www.theschoolschallenge.co.uk/schools/ Hedingham School aren't far from you, so could be worth popping along for a chat and see how they set up and run their club? Good luck That's really useful, thank you. I have contacted a chap I saw on the Field Sports video but having a local school is a real bonus. Thanks for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted June 2, 2011 Report Share Posted June 2, 2011 That's really useful, thank you. I have contacted a chap I saw on the Field Sports video but having a local school is a real bonus. Thanks for that. No probs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GDBO Posted June 3, 2011 Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 Thank you for people's input and offers of support, it's very kind. Does anyone on here run a clay shooting club either at school or else where? I would be great to know some of the costs and safety aspects of running such a venture, as well as possible opportunities for competing. I'm Senior Secretary at the Cambridge University club. I'll PM my mobile; just give me a call for a chat about the highs and lows. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2011 I'm Senior Secretary at the Cambridge University club. I'll PM my mobile; just give me a call for a chat about the highs and lows. Mark Thank you for your kind reply. I'll give you a call this weekend. It's much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OddJob Posted June 10, 2011 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 Saw the head today and he's given me the ok. Excellent. Just hope that I can get lots of people interested now! Good times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted June 10, 2011 Report Share Posted June 10, 2011 I run one at the school where I work. Usually a good turn out. Not as many actual students as I'd like, mainly their dads (and a good few mums too). Just about to drive to Yorkshire, will post a bit more later. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HDAV Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 NOt sure if you have seen this but http://www.theschoolschallenge.co.uk/ plenty of the Private/Public schools have them but should be able to help with organisation. Also got to be some funding or something from 2012 bandwagon you can apply for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huffhuff Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 Sorry for the delay I run a small shoot at the school I work at (i'm IT, not a teacher). Luckily for me, it was in existence when I joined a few years back (it's been going since the early 90's I think). So in terms of 'getting it started', I had little to do. However, when I first started going myself, there were a maximum of 8 of us! Since I took over last year, it's getting more and more popular - I advertise it in school once every few months (email to entire school parents with more regular contact to 'regular' attendees). The last shoot we had 24 in total (still not massive numbers, but it makes it viable - plus we only have 200 students in the entire school). I'll be honest, it still seems to be overrun by parents, i'd really like more students coming along. But, we are getting there...slowly but surely. Plus, it's a good selling point for the school regardless of who comes! As I said, it used to be run on the school grounds (we have 200 acres) but when I took over, I had much deliberation and contemplation. The guys we used to 'run' it came from a fair way away (long standing relationship with the school) and were quite limited with the layout, because of their equipment and our choice of location (pretty flat and boring). They then started getting very unreliable too. So, I decided to move venue to a local farm that puts on a public shoot every month (literally 2 miles away if that). They were more than happy to give it a go. So now, roughly once a month, we meet at the farm and shoot roughly 50/60 birds. The novices get coaching/tuition all the way through and there is a good mix of easy peasy and difficult birds. I charge £25 which includes free bacon sarnie and tea and coffee. I get charged roughly £20ish per head so a little profit, but that just gets put back in for prizes etc.. (it actually just fills the deficit left by my predecessor...but we won't go there...) If you choose to do it on your own grounds, you will need to get the land checked by an FEO and issued a certificate. You'll have to think about insurance too. Depending on who you use, you might need to provide a certain amount of equipment yourself too (I supply full ear defenders and padded shooting jackets). The farm supplies cartridges, clays, traps, guns (12, 20 and 410) and the catering. I did use to buy the carts and clays myself, but for the hassle, it worked out just as easy to get them to do everything! Once a year, we also put on a Charity Clay Shoot that the Parents Fund Raising Committee help run. We just made about 3k on one in May. Any other info, let me know. All the best and good luck... Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
88b Posted June 13, 2011 Report Share Posted June 13, 2011 I'm just amazed they actually even contemplate it with todays elf and safety nazis, but also very pleased. Hope it all works out for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hitclays Posted June 14, 2011 Report Share Posted June 14, 2011 hi i am based in norfolk and run club and country fair shoots.for the last few years i have put on a shoot for a large school in Kings Lynn. they use my land and equipment.the numbers have grown each year (nearly 50 last time,all 11 to 14 year olds)yes there is a certain amount of red tape,as there should be when children and guns are involved but believe me it is well worth the effort.So make it happen , who knows you could have a future world champion from your school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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