Welcome! If you are considering clay pigeon shooting as a sport, we have put together some basic information to get you started, and we hope you may find it useful.
The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association (CPSA)
is the governing body for clay shooting in the UK. They have a wealth of information available on their website for people new to clay shooting. We are the Cambridgeshire branch of the CPSA, and we can offer help and advice on all aspects of the sport. Please feel free to contact any member of the committee with any questions.
Committee Members and contact details
Licensing
You do not have to possess a shotgun certificate (SGC) to take part in clay shooting, however having your own SGC gives you greater flexibility. In general, you will need to be accompanied by a certificate holder to use a shotgun, and local shooting grounds can help with this. The current fee for a new certificate is £79.50 for a 5 year certificate. Full details and an application form can be viewed on the cambs police website, firearms page. Cambridgeshire Firearms Department are very helpful, and can certainly answer any questions/queries you have regarding licensing and the law. Contact phone number 01480 422619 or e-mail firearms.licensing@cambs.pnn.police.uk
Insurance
When clay target shooting, it is advisable to have some sort of insurance. The CPSA offer a good policy which covers up to £10 million public liability insurance and includes personal accident cover within many of their types of membership. (https://www.cpsa.co.uk/membership)
Membership
Membership of the CPSA is for all shooters, irrespective of ability. As a CPSA full member you will
- receive a copy of the award winning “Pull!” magazine every month (by monthly in the winter months)
- be able attend any of the courses being run by the association including Safety/Coaching/Refereeing (fees apply to courses)
- be able to have a say in the county’s affairs at AGMs.
There are also special rates for a “clubman” membership, family membership, veterans, juniors and colts. Clubman membership is less than £1/week If it is more convenient, you can arrange your CPSA membership at your local shooting ground.
How to Take Part
If you are new to the sport, practice at local grounds is available all year round. We have listed the Cambridgeshire grounds here
CPSA Registered Shoots
If after practicing, you are interested in more competition level clay shooting, then CPSA Registered shoots are for you. CPSA Registered shoots are held at many grounds across the UK. For more local competitions, Cambridgeshire have several championships throughout the year, and cover many different disciplines. Entering these Cambs Championships is easy, and Cambridgeshire CPSA committee members can guide you through the simple processes if you are interested.
CPSA Registered Inter-counties Team Shoots
County team competitions are also held throughout the year. From the Cambridgeshire County Championship shoots, teams are selected to represent Cambridgeshire. A county team consists of 8 Seniors, 4 Ladies, 4 Juniors/Colts and 4 Veterans. There are 6 Inter-counties competitions, and counties are able to submit teams for all 6 of the different disciplines. Trophies are presented to winners in both County and Inter-counties competitions.