Northern Ireland TA compete for Shooting Glory

The Army Reserve Operational  Shooting Competition took place in early July 2013 alongside separate Regular Army and Cadet Shooting Competitions at Bisley, Surrey – the MOD owned home of the National Shooting Centre and the National Rifle Association.

A total of 28 teams took part, including a Canadian Reserve Forces Team along with a number of individual competitors who brought the total number of entrants to 239; the largest number in recent years.

The Northern Ireland contingent consisted of teams from 152 (U) Transport Regiment; 253 (NI) Medical Regiment; 2 Royal Irish and Queens University Officer Training Corps with a further 2 soldiers from 40 Signals Squadron as part of the 32 Signals Regiment team.

With just over 14% of the competitors from Northern Ireland, the local shooters managed to account for 38% of the TA Top 50; coveted spots which are fiercely contested in the shooting community.

A significant haul of trophies will be making its way back to NI this year for both the Individual and Team Events – HM Queen’s Medal, Sir Arthur Noble Cup, Mayor of Westminster Cup and the Daily Telegraph Cup to name but a few.

So the sights are set high for next year, with the local teams all set to build on recent successes and get as much training in as possible in the coming months. Well done to the teams on these achievements. The only way is up.