Straight shooting teen aims for Commonwealth Games

Friday 23 June 2023

A Jersey teen – who only took up the air rifle less than a year ago – is aiming for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, after becoming the youngest and first female fullbore shooter to win the Channel Island Championships.

JCG student Libby Hart (16), a member of the Jersey Rifle Association, won the competition last weekend over seven other top shooters from each Island.

At the tournament, she also attained her first ever 75, the highest score possible which occurs when a shooter doesn't drop a shot.

Libby said she was "just focused on trying to shoot my best and having fun."

She added that she "no expectations other than gaining experience and doing my best. I knew that there were so many incredible shooters that it would be just an experience in itself to compete alongside them."

Pictured: Libby after her triumph at the Channel Island Championship.

"To be told I was the first female and the youngest came as a massive surprise and I felt honoured and proud that this had been achieved by a Jersey shooter. I hope that this achievement will go on to inspire other female and young shooters to participate in this inclusive sport."

It was a sport that always appealed to her, Libby said, after watching her father at the Western Miniature Rifle Club and "wanted to give it a go."

"I can remember counting down the days until I turned 12 and then for the shooting season to start again. It seemed to take forever! I started indoor .22 rifle shooting and loved it."

Pictured: Libby (centre) with top shooters from the Channel Islands.

In Year 9, Libby joined the Victoria College Combine Cadet Force and was invited to shoot full bore for the Victoria College's team and coached by cadet leader Richard Benest.

She went on to attend shooting tournaments in the UK and win numerous Junior and Class C trophies.

In October 2022, she decided to "have a go" at air rifle and "enjoyed the challenge of shooting in a standing position."

She shot with the Jersey Air Rifle League, after winning the Junior and Senior Island Championships.

Pictured: 10-metre air rifle training for the Island Games at the Western Rifle Range. 

Fresh from the recent inter-Island success, she will be representing Team Jersey at the Island Games in July.

"In preparation for the Island Games, I have been training twice a week on an indoor range, I have been having regular coaching sessions with ex-Island Games and Commonwealth shooter, Cameron Pirouet who has worked on specific aspects of the shooting process both mentally and physically."

"The Island Games is important to me as it offers me a chance to compete at a high level, represent Jersey, make connections and to celebrate the spirit of sportsmanship."

"As I enjoy shooting so much, I have been able to use it as a break from my school work and revision for my GCSEs."

But she has a bigger target in mind:

"My long-term plans are to make it to the Commonwealth Games in 2026 and get on the performance pathway for Team GB. Both will take a considerable amount of time and dedication, but I believe I have the determination to try my hardest to achieve these goals and not only represent Jersey but to act as an ambassador for the sport."

She added: "These all come at a cost and I would be so grateful for sponsorship as to see my dreams become a reality."

She thanked her parents and the Island's shooting clubs for the "encouragement, advice, support – and loaning of guns."

Pictured top: Libby with her dad Jerry, Vice President of the Western Miniature Rifle Club.