Author: SSSF Staff

Brownells has once again joined the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) as a Bronze Level Sponsor.  For more than 75 years, Brownells has been providing quality gunsmithing tools, gun parts, firearms accessories and service to the firearms industry. Throughout all of those years, Brownells has stood for its promise of service, selection and satisfaction. Tammy Mowry, national program director for the SASP, said, “We appreciate everything Brownells does to support the SASP with its sponsorship of the Go Fast stages at our national championships taking place in July at the Cardinal Center in Ohio." Pete Brownell, Brownells CEO, said, "Brownells is proud to be a Bronze level Sponsor of the Scholastic Action Shooting Program for 2016. Introducing young people to the shooting sports is a great way to teach personal responsibility and get them started in a sport they can enjoy for a lifetime. Not only do they learn gun safety and self-discipline, it also helps them understand the importance of our unique American firearms freedoms.”

HIVIZ Shooting Systems, a manufacturer of fiber optic sights for handguns, rifles and shotguns, has once again joined the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) as a Platinum Level Sponsor.  “HIVIZ has been a great partner of the SASP for several years," Tammy Mowry, national program director for the SASP, said. "The mission of HIVIZ to 'make hunting and shooting easy, accurate, and safe with quality products at affordable prices.' This helps our parents in their search for safe and reliable shooting products.  We’re so happy to have them on board again this year as our Focus stage sponsor, as well as our medal and trophy sponsor, and our side match sponsor.” Leaha Wirth, vice president, sales and marketing for HIVIS Shooting Systems, said, “It's critical here at HIVIZ that we take a proactive stand on the future of the shooting sports. We are proud to be a part of the Scholastic community."

Briley Manufacturing is offering pre-orders on chokes and selected accessories to be picked up at the 2016 SCTP National Championships in Marengo, Ohio, July 9-16. The “Buy One Choke, Get One Free” is always very popular. Inventory will be limited at the event and pre-ordering helps ensure inventory is available. "'Buy One, Get One' is a once-a-year sale Briley loves to do for the kids,” said Hannah Price, sales representative with Briley Manufacturing. “We feel very strongly that the youth is the future of shooting sports and hunting and we are committed to helping in any way we can. With that being said, this sale in Marengo is for SCTP members only, and we would appreciate keeping this relationship between Briley and SCTP an honest and a respected program.  All the kids and their families have always been top-notch, polite, grateful, and truly a pleasure to do business with.  Briley would also like to thank all the parents, coaches, and chaperons for your hard work and commitment to the kids and this sport. Without you, this week of shooting would not happen.”   If you have any questions or would like to place an order, please contact the Briley sales team in Houston.   713-932-6995 smp@briley.com    

All orders must be placed no later than

Wednesday, July 6.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has recently released a new YouTube video focused youth trapshooting and the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP).  The 35-minute video provides basic information on the sport of trapshooting, including the format of the games, safety and common rules.  The video is a great resource for athletes, coaches and parents who are new to the SCTP and the sport of trapshooting. The video project was created by Ray Dentlinger, who is a long-time SCTP coach and state-wide shotgun coach trainer appointed by the Iowa DNR and Iowa SCTP, Inc. To watch the video, go to: https://youtu.be/RT4A7LpyOg4

AVAD Hunt Club and Carroll County Shooting Sports will be hosting an Olympic Trap Doubles clinic for coaches and athletes on Sunday, May 1st, 2016 presented by National Coach Trainer Jim Dickerson. The training will be held at AVAD Hunt club located at 26321 Hwy 141, Coon Rapids, Ia. The training will be open to 12 coaches and 12 athletes. -Coaches training will be from 9:30 am to 12 noon, Sunday, May 1st. Lunch provided to coaches at noon. -Athletes training will go from 1 pm to 4 pm and will include classroom and range time. Coaches will help with athlete training sessions on the range. -Cost is $30 for coaches and $50 for athletes -Athletes should bring shotgun, ear, eye protection, shooting pouch or vest and 200 shells (7/8 oz load max). The range will have shells for sale if needed. Coaches should bring range equipment, guns and ammo to shoot if time allows. To register, email Royce Stangl at avad@iowatelecom.net Entries will be accepted in order received.  

The SSSF, NSCA and NSSA are extending college scholarship application deadlines until April 30, 2016. Time is running out, apply now! The SSSF is offering a scholarship program to reward deserving SCTP/SASP graduating seniors with needed college assistance. The main objective is to award as many scholarships as possible to qualifying SCTP / SASP graduating seniors. For general procedures and application instructions, click here. One deserving NSCA member and one deserving NSSA member, graduating from high school in 2016, will each be the recipient of a $5,000 college scholarship. The annual scholarship will be awarded to high school seniors who are enrolling in a four-year college program. The funds will be disbursed beginning with the fall 2016 semester. While applicants are expected to be active NSCA  and NSSA participants, selection will be based on a combination of scholarship, citizenship, and participation in NSCA  and NSSA activities. For more NSCA scholarship information and the application, click here. For more NSSA scholarship information and the application, click here.

As a reminder, the annual registration fees are paid to the SCTP/SASP in the amount of $35 for all adult volunteers. Also, don't forget to complete your background check: https://sssf.volunteerportal.net/ Password: scholastic There is a fee of approximately $14 that is implemented by InteliCorp to complete the check, however, to help offset that additional cost, we have expanded the results to be good for two years!  Information on background check changes can be found at: https://sssfonline.org/new-background-check-policies-implemented-sssf-adult-volunteers. The Double Goals is only to be completed ONCE and can be done so by going to the link provided and inputting the voucher code.  You should not be charged again for this course.  Once you’ve completed this, please provide records to your head coach so he or she may update your profile. Please complete your double goal training: http://shopping.positivecoach.org/Courses/Double-Goal-Coach Voucher/Password: Scholastic2 Your head coach or team administrator can help provide the links if you need them.

NSSF is pleased to announce the release of the 2016 Industry Intelligence Report on the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF). SSSF promotes youth development in the shooting sports, with its Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) arm focusing on sporting clays, trap and skeet and the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) working with action pistol and rifle sports. The 2016 Industry Intelligence Report on the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation reports on the findings of a recent research project that examined the demographics, shooting habits and spending habits of those youths enrolled in the program in 2015. Indicative of the program's success and its importance to the continued viability of the shooting industry as a whole, some of the most important findings from the report include:

• From 2013 to 2015 the number of youth athletes participating in SASP grew 49 percent; growth in SCTP since the program's inception in 2001 is an impressive 1,682 percent, with current participant numbers standing at nearly 12,500.
• 93 percent of SCTP parents surveyed said that the program had had a positive influence on their children; 52 percent said they saw their child's grades improve after participating SSSF programs.
• Estimates derived from the survey indicate that those participating in SCTP will spend more than $8 million dollars in 2016; 97 percent have made a purchase relevant to the shooting sports since becoming involved in SCTP.

"We are very pleased with the results of this report," said Randy Clark, Managing Director, Business Development. "Both the hard numbers and the testimonials from parents, participants, ranges, manufacturers and state agencies tell us that this program is invaluable in getting youth involved in the shooting sports and retaining them. That translates directly to income and growth for the industry, both immediately and long-term." "The Industry Intelligence Report (IIR) is an outstanding resource for our staff, state advisors, volunteer program coaches and anyone considering starting or sponsoring a local team," said Ben Berka, SSSF President and Executive Director. "The report showcases how the Scholastic Clay Target and Scholastic Action Shooting Programs recruit youth and families to the shooting sports, promote firearms education and make a positive impact on youth development across the country." The Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation operates in all 50 states, coordinating teams at the elementary school through high school level, as well as with collegiate organizations. For more information, visit www.sssfonline.org. NSSF's 2016 Industry Intelligence Report on the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation is available to the public free of charge, and firearms industry retailers, ranges and manufacturers are particularly encouraged to download the report. "There's a tremendous amount of insight our members can gain from this report," said Clark. "It's a great foundation for creating fresh marketing and outreach plans." To download the report, click here. For more information on NSSF's Industry Intelligence Reports, visit www.nssf.org/research/IIR.