Special to TGM
The season is underway for 34,629 student athletes participating in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this spring.
Those athletes are competing on 1,625 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide, supported by over 9,600 coaches, team staff, and other volunteers.
“Parents want safe, school-based, non-traditional outdoor activities for their students. They want their youth to have the sense of belonging and camaraderie that team activities provide without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports.” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL.
“Every year 95% of non-graduating students return to participate in the League’s programs, and nearly 9,800 new athletes joined the League this spring through their school’s teams. In the League there are no benchwarmers – everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”
For high school athletes, their nine-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude May 20th. The season is followed by State Tournaments in June, leading up to the High School National Championship in July.
College athletes compete in a shorter season in the spring, and then return to compete in the Fall leading up to the USA College Clay Target League (USACCTL) National Championship in late October.
About the USA Clay Target League
With over 47,000 participating athletes in the 2022-23 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
The League the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America. Every team must have school approval to participate. Most participating schools have lettering programs as well as yearbook inclusion for the teams. In addition, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the League and post-secondary institutions each year.
The League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to schools nationwide: it’s fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team, and it’s an ‘adaptive’ sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.
The League’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order.
The League is the safest sport in school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Each athlete must complete firearm safety certification before participation.
Check out the 2022 USA Clay Target Impact Report.
