Scottish Target Shooting - Office Christmas Opening Hours
Scottish Parliament - Inquiry into the impact COVID-19 Restrictions on Sports Clubs
Team GB.com Publishes 'Dear Seonaid' Article
The Team GB website have today published the latest in their new series of articles where athletes write a letter a point in history of their younger selves. In this article, Seonaid writes a letter to her 17-year-old self just months after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, when life was full of uncertainty and doubt. It’s a letter full of lessons and candid reflections on one of the moments that made her who she is today and well worth a read:
STS Issues Full Guidance for New 5 Level System
STS can confirm that we have now updated our guidance in view of the new Protection Level system implemented by the Scottish Government on 2 November. In this article, we have included the latest full set of guidance notes, as well as updating the information available on the homepage of our website.
COVID-19: First Minister's Statement on 23 October
Brexit & Shooting: European Firearms Pass Update
Scottish Pistol Shooters Selected onto British Pistol Talent Academy
Six Scots Make Palma Match Long List for 2023
COVID-19: First Minister's Statement on 7 October
On Wednesday 7 October, the First Minister made a statement to Scottish Parliament outlining a series of temporary measures intended to stop the rise in coronavirus cases in Scotland. These measures are a mixture of national and regional in scope, that will come into force from 6pm on Friday 9 October for the hospitality changes and 1am Saturday 10 October for all other changes. These measures are to remain in place until to Sunday 25 October inclusive, unless a statement is made prior to them indicating any further change. STS has reviewed these, along with guidance from sportscotland, and tried to communicate the key points which can be found in our website article.
Scots Shine at Rescheduled 2020 Imperial Meeting at Bisley
Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Imperial Meeting for Full-Bore Rifle had been cancelled around March and it was thought that was the end of it. However, with experience gained post-lockdown and by adopting special protocols and spacing everything appropriately, the NRA decided to re-instigate and reschedule all the events normally held as part of the Imperial Meeting from July to late August and September, these events being the Civilian Service Rifle (CSR), Match Rifle (MR), F-Class and Target Rifle (TR). This short report covers the performances of Scottish competitors in the TR meeting (the Commonwealth Games event).
COVID-19: First Minister's Statement on 22 September
Yesterday the First Minister provided an update setting out a tightening of coronavirus-related restrictions, in response to an increase in the rate of spread of the virus. The priorities mentioned were to save lives and protect health, keep schools open, restart as many non-coronavirus NHS services as possible, and protect jobs by keeping businesses open where possible. The approach announced was more targeted than earlier in the year and did not constitute a return to full lockdown. The steps announced will be reviewed in 3 weeks.
COVID-19: First Minister's Statement on 22 September
Following the First Minister’s statement at 2.20pm today, we appreciate that there will be many questions left unanswered due to the lack of reference to sport directly, especially as some reference was made in the Prime Minister’s statement earlier but whether these restrictions will be mirrored in Scotland is currently unclear.
STS COVID-19 Webinar Programme Update (21 September)
Our next session is TOMORROW on the topic of Mental First Aid - Knowing the Basics. Mental health is something we all need to take care of because just like our physical health there are times when this is better and times when it is not in the shape we would like it to be. As part of the STS family, it is important we look out for each other. This online course will provide a very basic level of helping to understand mental health, what signs to look out for, and what action you can take, whether it is for yourself, friends and family, or a club member. Our last session, An Introduction to First Aid for Shooting Clubs, was not recorded but we do intend to follow this up with a day-long practical version held face-to-face completed with formal qualifications. This will be scheduled when the environment is safe for us to do so. We will be sure to contact our members when this becomes available.
COVID-19: First Minister's Statement on 10 September
Yesterday, the First Minister updated Scottish Parliament yesterday on the review of the route map through and out of the pandemic. She noted that while Scotland had successfully suppressed the virus in the summer, confirmed positive case numbers have recently risen. As a result, the criteria have not been met to progress to Phase 4 of the route map. Read on to see what the implications are for shooting…
Joan Watt Awarded Life Membership of Commonwealth Games Scotland
In recognition of over 50 years outstanding service to sport, the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Games Scotland (CGS), Joan Watt has been awarded life membership of CGS.
Paul Bush OBE,CGS Chair, in confirming the award commented that it was well deserved recognition for a lifetime of service as an advisor, deliverer and mentor to the wider sporting community.
CGS Honorary Medical Advisor and chartered physiotherapist, Joan first provided volunteer support at the Commonwealth Games as a Village Physiotherapist in 1970, subsequently serving Scottish Commonwealth Games teams in physiotherapy roles at each Games until 2002, including as Joint Head Physiotherapist in 1998. Melbourne 2006 saw her step into a new role as Shooting Team Manager, a position she also took on for Delhi 2010.
The award came as a welcome surprise and Joan said she was highly honoured and still taking the news in. “I still can’t really believe it’s true, I think it’s wonderful.”
“If someone asked me which was my favourite Games I’d have to say I loved every single one because it was great, people were so pleasant and I made friends all over the place. It’s given me the feeling that I can enjoy working and helping people do what they want to do, which as a physiotherapist is what you want.
“It’s wonderful to keep the connection to Commonwealth Games Scotland because it’s meant so much to me over the years, it’s been so good and an important part of my life.”
Appointed to the Commonwealth Games Scotland Board in 2003 as Honorary Medical Adviser, she was the first non-Doctor to take this post, stepping down this year with term limits in place. Also serving as Vice Chair of the Medical Group for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Bid, Joan was a member of the Medical Advisory Group for Glasgow 2014.
Beyond the Commonwealth Games, Joan has also served as lead physiotherapist at Olympic Games, World and European Championships for Athletics and Shooting, as well as a number of other sports. She is a former Chairperson of Scottish Athletics and was its first female President. Instrumental in establishing the British Sports Massage Association, Joan helped set up the Chartered Physiotherapists in Massage Therapy professional network and has been active in Anti-Doping education and testing for many years.
STS COVID-19 Webinar Programme Update (7 September)
Our next session is TOMORROW on the topic of An Introduction to First Aid for Shooting Clubs. Although shooting is an extremely safe sport, it is possible for accidents to happen, and when the do happen, they can have serious consequences. This, combined with the recent increase in First Aid awareness due to COVID-19, means there is an even greater need to make sure clubs feel they equipped to deal with these matters when they occur. This workshop is an introduction to first aid for shooting clubs, delivered by Bruce Jenner, a trained paramedic but with over 20 years of military and target shooting experience. It is also still possible to access the recording of our last session: Strength and Conditioning Training for Shooters so you can watch this back if you missed it.
STS Updates Phase 3 Guidance
Recently, the First Minister for Scotland provided an update regarding Phase 3 and the changes that were being made to the restrictions in place. The update confirmed that Scotland is progressing well but is not yet ready to move into Phase 4 and therefore Phase 3 is still in force, however some significant changes were introduced that would impact our sport. STS has been working with sportscotland and other sports to clarify and can highlight the following points from the latest announcement.
Scottish Governing Bodies Forum Statement
The Scottish Sports Governing Bodies Forum welcomes Monday’s communication from Stewart Harris, CEO, sportscotland announcing the release of a £1.5m COVID Support Fund to support Scotland’s sporting system (Sportscotland set up £1.5m COVID support fund for governing bodies). This timely statement recognises that whilst progress has been made with the re-opening of sports facilities across Scotland, this does not mean a full restart of sport as we know it and that many sports, particularly those reliant on accessing indoor sports facilities for Club training and competition, face a much slower return as local Trusts and leisure operators take a cautious and phased approach to the re-opening of their facilities.
STS COVID-19 Webinar Programme Update (31 August)
Our next session is on Tuesday 8 September and will be An Introduction to First Aid for Shooting Clubs. Although shooting is an extremely safe sport, it is possible for accidents to happen, and when the do happen, they can have serious consequences. This, combined with the recent increase in First Aid awareness due to COVID-19, means there is an even greater need to make sure clubs feel they equipped to deal with these matters when they occur. This workshop is an introduction to first aid for shooting clubs, delivered by Bruce Jenner, a trained paramedic but with over 20 years of military and target shooting experience. It is also still possible to access the recording of our last session: Strength and Conditioning Training for Shooters so you can watch this back if you missed it.
STS Performance Programme for 2020-21: One Week Left to Apply
This is a reminder that we are taking applications for the STS Performance Programme for 2020-21, but only for one more week as the window for applications closes on 31 August 2020! The full selection policy can be found on the ‘Getting Selected’ page on the STS website along with the online application form for hopeful athletes.