About

In the winter of 2022, a group of regular attendees at Washington Air Rifle Range got together to discuss their desire to form a club with the goal of providing a supportive environment in which people could develop new skills and improve their shooting performance. In January 2023 Washington Air Sports Precision Shooting club, or The WASPS for short, was established. Initially with a cohort of 15 members of all ages and abilities the club in a short time has grown to count some 26 members as of November 2024. The club boasts an inclusive environment with our membership made up of juniors and seniors. Our youngest member is only 9 and we also have two female juniors all three of whom shoot the 10 metre Olympic? rifle discipline. Other disciplines supported are 10 metre pistol and 20 Yard Bench Rest, some members shoot in regular competitions but competitive shooting is not a requirement, the club also supports many who shoot purely for pleasure. The club meets weekly on Monday evenings at the range in Washington between 6-8pm, excluding bank holidays. Membership is open to all, and we encourage anyone including total beginners to come along and try your hand, you never know you might turn out to be a crack shot.

Wanting to encourage and support as many people as possible in April 2024 the club set up a charitable arm, The WASPS CIO, registered charity no. 1207792. The aims of the charity are: -

‘To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Tyne and Wear, without the distinction of sex, sexual orientation, physical ability, political or religious opinion by providing equipment and facilities to encourage the development and participation in the sport of target shooting in all its forms both competitive and non-competitive.

In pursuit of these aims the club was successful in securing a substantial grant from Sport England’s Movement Fund allowing the purchase of a wide range of equipment and a number of guns to encourage people from all backgrounds to be able to try shooting as a new activity without the need for an expensive outlay. We also have the funds to provide a number of free sessions for children and young people and for some of our many veterans looking for ways to support their recovery following active service in the armed forces. These sessions are geared towards people of all abilities including total novices in the hope that they find a new way to enjoy themselves, meet new friends and socialize in a welcoming and supportive environment.

For more information on the club or if you represent an organisation working with children and young people or veterans and would like to access one of our free sessions then use the contact form on the website to get in touch we’d love to chat and meet.

The WASPS