How Clay Target Shooting Hit the Mark for London Cadets
14 July 2026
14 July 2026
For many young people, the chance to pick up a shotgun and learn the precision of clay target shooting feels out of reach. It is a sport that requires specialist equipment, expert instruction, and a significant financial commitment. But recently, a group of cadets from Middlesex & NW London ACF proved that with the right support, they can compete with the best in the country.
Thanks to an ACCT UK grant, five representatives from 21 Company were able to train and compete in the National Clay Target Shooting Competition. The results were more than just high scores; they were about building life skills that will stay with these cadets forever.
Here’s the thing… clay shooting is expensive. The costs of clays, cartridges, and gun hire add up quickly. Without help, many families would find it impossible to cover the training fees.
Major Victoria Coles MStJ, who led the group, explained that ACCT UK’s grant was essential for making the experience accessible.
Clay shooting is very expensive, and without subsidising this event, we would have had to charge a substantial amount per training day to each cadet that took part.
By covering the cost of cartridges and equipment, the grant allowed the sector to focus on what mattered: finding and training the most successful team they have had to date.
The journey didn’t start at the nationals. It began with three intensive practice and selection shoots held between January and March at the Lea Valley Shooting Association and Cambridge Gun Club. These sessions were vital because, for most of the team, this was a completely new world. In fact, only one of the cadets had ever shot a shotgun outside of the Army Cadets before.
When the National Competition arrived in April, the hard work paid off. The team secured impressive rankings, including 5th in Down the Line and 6th in the Flush.
Individual success was even more striking. Cadet David Rus became the highest-placed ACF cadet at the event and was one of only two ACF cadets selected for the inter-services competition. Reflecting on his achievement, he said: “All the training, patience of the adult instructors and hard work led to this. I’m really proud to have won the ACF stream of clay shooting competition”.
While the trophies are a great bonus, the core of this activity is about personal development. Training with shotguns in a controlled, supervised environment offers unique benefits for young people:
As Cdt Cpl Jack Boland shared…
Attending the National Clay Target Shooting Competition… strengthened my confidence, discipline and teamwork skills. The training was demanding but highly rewarding.
For many of these young people, the grant provided a ‘first’. It was the first time they represented London at a national level, and the first time they realised they could master a difficult, technical sport.
Cdt Cpl Nuen Wang remembered that clay shooting was actually one of the reasons they joined the cadets in the first place. “Getting the chance to shoot and the feeling of making it all the way to the competition… is all a truly unforgettable experience,” they said.
At ACCT UK, we believe that financial circumstances should never stop a young person from discovering their potential. Grants like this fund skills, confidence, and a newfound sense of what is possible.
Want to help more cadets hit their targets? Your donations help us provide more grants for activities like clay target shooting, skiing, and overseas expeditions.