Junior Shooters Deserve Recognition

[moose1223]

In a sport dominated by adults and seniors, the juniors are seldom acknowledged for there accomplishments. In the world of F-Class and especially FTR, it takes time to master wind and mirage reading skills required to compete at a level required to be acknowledged. As adults we have had time to develop our skills and earn the money required to purchase supplies and cover travel expenses. Many of our juniors rely on there families and their part time jobs to pay their way. To me the junior shooting sports can and should about youth development. A vital part of that development is how to win or loose gracefully and politely, how to congratulate your opponent when they win, how to control your emotions, how to show go sportsmanship, etc.

I am not talking about making a big deal or having big prizes, just simple acknowledgement of the junior shooters present at many of these competitions. I have found at many of these competitions there is no mention of the junior shooters present and many are posting some pretty impressive scores.

The simple acknowledgement of the juniors and how they did can go along ways toward sponsorships in their local comunity.

Out of all of the different sports I have been around, I must say the folks in the shooting sports are by far the best. As a parent I don't think you could ask for better mentors for our youth.

Juniors are the future of the shooting sports!

 

[jdb]

This looked like an appropriate place to share a friends Facebook post, (600yd F-Class, Houston,Mo.):

Rachel Elijah-Brotherton

August 24 via mobile.

Today my dad and son shot their rifles today at Big Piney Sportsman Club. Here is our conversation. My phone rings..

Dad: You better come and get your son.
Me: Oh, my gosh!!!!! What happened????
Dad: Your son is getting sick from his head swelling.
Me: What????
Dad: Yeah, his head is so swollen because he beat EVERYONE in open bench rest.
Me: So dad, when are you going to quit shooting and just reload for Jaden?
Dad: Soon I'm sure.

Yep, my baby beat them all. I'm sure there were some upset grown men, since they were beaten by a second grader. I don't toot my horn about Jaden too often, but felt I needed to share this one . *proud mama*

 

[moose1223]

That is a great story.

It was good for your son and good for the other competitors.

Unfortunately after one achieves that level of success early on, it can be tough to learn that not everthing is that easy.

To me it is all about family, friends, and sharing the ups and downs.

 

[RStewart]

True. They are the future of the sport.
We had a young lady go HM in Open at 16.

 

[Forum Boss]

Good point. I made sure to capture photos of the Junior winners in the F-Class Nationals and F-Class worlds. We plan to do a feature on the juniors sometime soon, once the pressure to get out the main match details has eased.

PM

Here's a member of the JR. team at the worlds. Click photo to zoom:

 

[Pappy83]

My daughter was high Junior at Nationals, and 2nd in Worlds. She shoots for the Michigan FT/R team.

 

[diego-ted]

I was truly impressed with the youth shooting at th3 world's, they deserve a well done!

 

[moose1223]

I have met your daughter,and she is a wonderful young lady.
She has humbled my son Mitchell more than once.
Congratulations again to Sam she is an exceptional marksman!!!!!

 

[Pappy83]

But he got her in the Worlds, congrats to him as well. I think they both learned a lot this summer from shooting with the Michigan Team.

 

[moose1223]

All of the team members are great and for that mater so is everyone at these matches. Mitchell is always telling me about all the interesting people he meets and win or loose everyone has a good time.

 

[halfmoanut]

Check out the IBS site under score shooting results and see Kevin Donalds JR he is soon to be 13 and he just shot 24x@100 and earlier this year he shot 25x's Hopefully he gets recognition for his accomplishments also.

 

[Steel Mover]

Good post, Junior Shooters need real support.