The first of five weekend events for the Olympic Legacy Project ‘Shooting4England’ was thoroughly enjoyed by all that attended the Tunnel Target Sports Centre, Dorset, writes Gorgs Geikie.

Midweek Herald:

There was a great mix of children and adults on both days, predominantly from the six schools that had been visited by Gorgs Geikie, London 2012 Olympian who lives at Whiddon Down, in the preceding weeks.

Midweek Herald:

At Park School, Yeovil, Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls, Honiton Community College, Sir John Colfox and Axe Valley Community College, Geikie presented an Olympic-themed inspiring assembly to the students, as well as inviting a select number to attend the first event at the Tunnel Target Sports Centre.

There were young people in attendance of varying shooting sport abilities including modern pentathletes and Pony Club tetrathletes who had some experience, but who wanted to meet an Olympic torch bearing TeamGB athlete locally, in a related sport to them, as well as taking part in the Shooting4England South West championship qualification competition, also held over the weekend. Alongside these were complete novices, intrigued by the 2012 Olympics, and inspired to have-a-go at an Olympic sport, run by a TeamGB 2012 athlete in their region.

It showed what a great inclusive participation sport shooting is, when the mixed gender young people took part in the first qualification competition, alongside parents and teachers. Only the top three juniors (u21years) for both air pistol and air rifle qualified for the final to be held at Okehampton Rifle Club on December 1.

There were some good performances over the weekend. The competition winners were air rifle: Saturday- Jared Rufus and Sunday- Mikey Rose; air pistol: Saturday - Michael Bailey and Sunday -Gabriel Johnson.

Local clubs were represented over the weekend as well as the National Smallbore Association. Perhaps we found an athlete to follow in the footsteps Dorset’s own Double Trap Olympic gold medallist. Peter Wilson?

Olympic Legacy Project ?Shooting4England?s? next event is in South Devon, at Paignton Rifle Club on 1112th May. Please see www.gorgs4gold.com for more information, plus more great photos and results from the first event at the Tunnel Target Sports Center and success of Gorgs? school visits. If you would like your school to be involved or feel you can help support this programme, please email gorgs@gorgs4gold.com

Shooting4England is keeping the Olympic Flame of all sporting enthusiasm alive in the South West, Inspiring the Next Generation.