Sport Shooting for kids

In South Africa, owning a firearm can feel like trying to join a club that doesn’t really want new members. Stand around a Saturday braai long enough, and someone will start talking about licenses, paperwork, inspections, and waiting periods. Inevitably, someone will sigh and say, “It’s not even worth it anymore.” For years, I believed that.

I didn’t grow up in shooting sports. I only started in my early thirties, at a time when my kids were still small and family life was already hectic. Getting into sport shooting wasn’t a lifelong dream — it was curiosity nudging me again and again. Eventually, curiosity won.

My first rifle was a hunting rifle. Owning it meant patience, responsibility, and care. The process wasn’t quick or simple, but maybe that’s what made it meaningful. Soon, we decided to try .22 rifle shooting as a family activity. It felt manageable and fun, and perfect for introducing the kids safely to the sport.

Our second rifle was a Ruger Precision Rimfire — accurate, adjustable, and incredibly fun.

Before long, one rifle wasn’t enough. Two weren’t enough. Soon, we had three .22 rimfire rifles, simply so we could all shoot together without waiting for turns. What started as a hobby for me became a shared family passion.

The kids were still small, but curiosity was already sparking. Sport shooting taught them more than aiming and accuracy. It taught them how to handle firearms safely and with the respect they deserve. They watched me clean, store, transport, and even upgrade our rifles — and they started doing it correctly from the start. Safety wasn’t just a lecture; it was a habit built into everything we did on the range and at home.

Now that they were practiced with handling and being safe with firearms, it gave me confidence and peace of mind to have them on a hunt. Both my boys were nine years old when they shot a animal — a Rooibok and a Blesbok — for the first time. They were so well-trained that they used my .30-06 rifle and shot at 200 meters plus. Trigger control, target acquisition at speed, and proper breathing were already trained, so all they needed to focus on was the animal and recoil management.

Eventually, curiosity turned into competition. Our first event was the NRL22 — the National Rimfire League. It’s a fast-paced challenge: 10–12 shots per round, two minutes per stage, with position, props, and distance changing at every stage. Every province in South Africa shoots the same course of fire, making it a true national competition.

I remember stepping onto that firing line for the first time. Adrenaline, nerves, and excitement all tangled together. The kids watched as I tried to remember every tip and drill we’d practiced at the range. Every shot counted, every second mattered, and the challenge was real. That day, I realised sport shooting wasn’t just fun; it demanded precision, discipline, and calm under pressure.

Time passed, and our family’s passion for shooting grew. My eldest son is now in Grade 8 and had the opportunity to join his school’s air rifle target shooting team — the kind of shooting you see at the Olympics. Competitions are held at a 10-meter distance and involve three stances: prone, standing, and kneeling.

He shot his first match as part of the league for the Ekurhuleni School Shooting Union (ESSU).

All events use air rifles, and participants can enter in different divisions depending on the rifle and gear. My son competed in the “Sporter” division using a CZ 200T PCP air rifle. PCP, or Pre-Charged Pneumatic, uses high-pressure air (120–200 bar) to propel a .177 caliber (4.5 mm) lead slug with precision.

Watching him take that first shot was a proud moment — all the lessons about patience, safety, focus, and respect from our family range days were evident in his posture and confidence.

In just a short while, we have seen how easy it can be to make shooting a hobby, a skill, and a fun activity for an entire family living in South Africa. There’s often a threat that “they are trying to take our guns,” but we try not to focus on the negativity. Instead, we focus on the fun part of shooting, all within the framework of the current Firearms Control Act.

Today, there are many ways for young shooters to get involved — pistol shooting, skeet shooting, even slingshot competitions. We found it best to join one of the many shooting clubs for guidance. Personally, we are Natshoot members, but there are numerous other clubs. Most of them cater to young shooters, and you’ll be surprised how welcoming the sport is, even for the shyest of kids.

Looking back, what began as a late-start hobby in my early thirties with small children has become a family journey built on responsibility, focus, patience, and respect. Sport shooting has given us quality time together, skills for life, and a sense of achievement — all while having fun.

So, if you are wondering if there are shooting sports out there for your South African children, the answer is a big “For sure!” Go out there and enjoy the freedoms we have in our beautiful country.