Shropshire Army Cadet Force's clay pigeon shooting team are standing in a grassy field in two rows, dressed in red t-shirts with green gilets and caps. The front row are kneeling on one knee, all of the cadets are smiling at the camera. It is a sunny day with blue skies.

Cadets from across Shropshire aimed high at the county’s Inter Services Cadet Clay Competition.

At the start of June, teams from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and RAF Air Cadets competed for both team and individual titles, testing their precision at the Buller Clay Range in Donnington.

A notable success for Shropshire Army Cadet Force (ACF) included Cadet Hewitt from the Newport Detachment who was presented with the Shropshire ACF High Gun Trophy (Best Overall ACF Shooter) by Colonel Nigel Sarling, Colonel Cadets for the West Midlands. Despite being only 13 years old, he placed second behind the competition winner.

Based on their sterling performances, Cadet Hewitt along with three other cadets from Shropshire ACF then went on to compete in Shropshire ACF’s first ‘A’ team at the National Inter Services Cadet Clay Competition in the middle of June.

With the level of competition raised even further, nineteen teams from across the UK attended the National Inter Services Clay Competition in Cambridge. Entering two teams from Shropshire ACF, their Cadets were up against some very experienced and skilled clay pigeon shooters. In total seven of the Cadet teams entered hailed from the Shropshire county, alongside four from the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and a team from the Sea Cadet Corps and Royal Marines Cadets.

Two cadets dressed in uniforms and protective equipment are standing at a fence. Once is taking aim at a target with a shotgun, whilst the other is signalling to someone off photograph. The Cadets are being supervised by adult volunteers standing behind them.

All three services from the county secured prizes with the Sea and Royal Marines Cadets winning all of their competition rounds.

To the credit of Shropshire ACF a number of prizes were won in both the individual and team competitions – Down the Line, High Gun, Flush Shoot and Sporting – with a number of bronze and gold awards gained. Cadet Sergeant Hall was also awarded The Gareth Jones Memorial Trophy in recognition of the best ACF High Gun Individual.

The competitions also mark a record number of Shropshire ACF’s cadets taking part in clay pigeon shooting in 2024.

Shropshire Army Cadet Force has over 500 cadets, supported by 110 dedicated volunteers. Giving young people aged 12 – 18 the skills, confidence and drive to reach their potential, the Army Cadet Force also gives young people and adults the chance to try unique activities whilst having fun.

As well as being an MOD sponsored youth organisation, Shropshire ACF is also supported by the Shropshire Army Cadet Force Trust, who help to raise funds towards vocational training and social activities.

Our organisation was also pleased to support the county’s Inter Services Cadet Clay Competition by funding the trophy engraving and winning medals via our Cadet Welfare Committee.

Learn more about our role supporting the Cadet Forces in our region.

 

Published 30/07/24