The Minister for Equality Christian Santos and Minister for Sport Leslie Bruzon visited the British Shooting Association during their stay in Gibraltar this week. The Association comprises athletes from both Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic Shooting Teams. They train alongside each other as the sport lends itself to inclusivity. 

Athletes can compete in up to three positions: kneeling, standing, and prone. This can be adapted for athletes with mobility difficulties by allowing them to be seated and classifying their position by the number of elbows resting on the table. 

Persons with visual impairments can also participate in the sport as there is also Visual Impaired Shooting in which athletes use an audio signal to guide them in their aiming. The audio signal rises in pitch as the point of aim moves nearer to the centre of the target. 

There are two types of shooting, pistol and rifle shooting, and the Gibraltar Target Shooting Association’s shooting range on North Mole Road is fully equipped for the needs of most shooters. The shooting range was purposely built in 2018/19 and the local shooting federation ensured that it was accessible so that persons with mobility issues could also become members. Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic Shooting Teams travel to Gibraltar often as part of their training to make use of the range. 

Minister for Sport, Leslie Bruzon, said: “As the Minister for Sports it was a pleasure to meet members of the British Shooting Association and witness first-hand the inclusive nature of the sport. The adaptability of shooting makes it a powerful example of how accessibility and elite performance can go hand in hand. I commend the Gibraltar Target Shooting Association for their commitment to providing a fully inclusive facility, and I am proud that Gibraltar continues to play a part in supporting both Olympic and Paralympic athletes in their training.” 

Minister for Equality, Christian Santos, said: “It is refreshing to see a sport that can be made accessible to many, and that persons with and without disabilities are able to train together on equitable terms. I wish to thank the Gibraltar Target Shooting Association for hosting us at their range, and to Josh Wintersgill, Paralympian and part of Potential Programme, for facilitating the visit.”