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Disability Target Shooting Great Britain (DTSGB) is the governing body for disabled target shooters in the UK, and is the official charity of Countryman Fairs.

The DTSGB has been established to:

• Promote and encourage people with a physical disability, shooting in Great Britain.
• Prepare shooters to represent Great Britain in International competitions.
• Organise and govern competitions in shooting within the boundaries of the Associations.
• Promote and encourage the raising of standards of all levels of disabled shooting.
• Represent the views of its membership at both National and International level.
• Develop links with able-bodied shooters.

One of the main aims of Disability Target Shooting Great Britain is to develop links with able-bodied shooters and governing bodies. This is achieved by enabling disabled shooters to compete in able-bodied shoots and involve able-bodied coaches in the training of disabled shooters.

At the present time, DTSGB has approximately 57 members, although the interest in shooting is rapidly growing. Although shooting as such has been known since the invention of gunpowder, target shooting really came into its own in 1907 with the formation of the U.I.T., which is the governing body for able-bodied shooting.

The British Paraplegic Shooting Association was formed in 1976 to introduce shooting to people with disabilities. The BPSA changed its name to Disability Target Shooting Great Britain in 2005.
Disabled shooters compete in the same competitions as the able-bodied competitors. Shooting events for athletes with physical disabilities started in 1970 in Scotland. Shooting first became a Paralympic sport in 1980 Great Britain has won many medals at Paralympic Games through the efforts of such stars as Di Coates and Isabel Newstead.

Once you have learned the basics of shooting the world of competitions really opens up to you. Up to National levels of competition disabled shooters may take part in able-bodied matches. International competition is restricted to disabled championships. The Great Britain team travel all over the world to promote the sport - and of course win some medals!

To get started it is usually a good idea to look for decent second hand equipment while you look around and try out what else is available. As you improve you can buy additional items as appropriate. Pistol shooters get off lightly as no special clothing is required, whereas Air Rifle shooters may need a leather jacket and gloves.

The Association has a stock of equipment available for members or visitors to borrow by prior arrangement, so don't feel you cant visit due to a lack of equipment! The DTSGB will at least get you started and give you good advice.

For more information on the work of the DTSGB click here.