Targeting increased visibility for women’s shooting - IWD 2024
International Women’s Day
It’s March 8th and that can only mean one thing - it’s International Women’s Day! Even though we champion women every day, we want to celebrate IWD and take a look at the importance of female participation within the shooting sports and sport as a wider context.
The participation of women at all levels is imperative to the future of the shooting sports at the Olympic Games. This sounds dramatic, but we assure you it’s not and we’ll give you an example. Double Trap is a shooting discipline that was in the Olympic programme up until the 2016 Games. It was removed after Rio 2016 as there was only the men’s discipline in the programme, the women’s discipline was removed after Athens 2004 due to lack of participation. You may think, how does shooting at grassroots level impact the Olympics? The answer is, in every way! Everyone starts somewhere and we need to remember that all GB athletes were beginners once.
Let’s ensure that this International Women’s Day is not just a celebration, but a call to action.
There is an old adage that “you cannot be what you cannot see” which resonates when it comes to women’s shooting. Visibility is one of the most powerful tools we have when it comes to breaking through the stereotypes that are associated with our sport, as well as dismantling the barriers to entry which are so often the cause of women not getting involved.
Visibility acts as a beacon, not just for women’s shooting, but for our sport as a whole, drawing more women into the sport and reinforcing the fact that there is a place for everyone in this sport, irrespective of age, ability, background or shape and size.
Positive role models are the embodiment of visibility. When girls and women see other girls and women paving the way within the shooting sports, it creates a sense of hope and possibility. As seen in other sports, positive role models exemplify what can be achieved and provide a tangible roadmap for others to follow.
The Women’s Shooting Network’s priority is to get more women involved at all levels within the shooting sports by providing a welcoming, supportive and encouraging environment. Whether looking to take their first shot or wanting to progress into competitive shooting, we pride ourselves on creating events for women of all abilities.
We see endless possibilities for women’s shooting and the impact we can have within sport in order to raise the profile of shooting and we are committed to driving positive change. We want to share our aspirations in the hope that others will align their goals with ours!
Amplifying achievements - we want to celebrate and publicise the efforts and achievements of women within our sport at all levels. Whether this is through the use of our socials, newsletter, or through leveraging local media outlets, our goal is to share the accomplishments of women to showcase what’s possible and inspire others!
Encouraging media coverage - reaching new audiences is essential for the future of women’s shooting and the shooting sports more generally. The more we can do to promote women in shooting, the higher our chances of breaking the biases which are often associated with the shooting sport and the more likely we are to see increased levels of participation.
Educating everyone - by being proactive and informative, we can share the benefits of the shooting sport and encourage more women to try their hand at shooting! For those within the sport already, we will equip women with everything they need to know about shooting, technique, tools for the job and safety.
Engage with youth - we want to work with schools, colleges, universities and clubs to introduce shooting as a viable sport for women and girls. By targeting early exposure we hope to see an increase in lifelong participation!
Advocate for opportunities - we’re passionate about making a difference and working with industry stakeholders to co-create opportunities for women within the sport and to ensure that the voice of women are heard and represented at all levels of the sport, from grassroots to governance!
Promote diversity and inclusion - we strive to ensure that The Women’s Shooting Network is a place for women to thrive and that its events are accessible and inclusive for all ages and abilities.
There comes responsibility with holding a shotgun or firearms certificate and often without intention we learn a lot from shooting, things that often are overlooked like self-discipline, self-control, patience and resilience, things that are valued and on the range.
There comes responsibility with holding a shotgun or firearms certificate and often without intention we learn a lot from shooting, things that often are overlooked like self-discipline, self-control, patience and resilience, things that are valued and on the range.
For a sport that offers us so much, we need to do more to stand up and promote it, more than a game, play or hobby. It’s a catalyst for growth, mentally and physically. Shooting is a sport that provides us with a universal language. We connect with others through our passion for shooting, something that bridges divides and creates a camaraderie between teams.
We all have a part to play in the future of our sport and we need to continue to break through glass ceilings and forge a new future for women’s shooting. Each and every one of us needs to understand our individual ability to increase the visibility of women’s shooting. The use of our voices and platforms is vital as a way to share our passion with others, and, as a result, inspire more women to try shooting.
Shooting is a sport that enriches our lives immeasurably, let’s show it the respect it deserves.
