Aberdeen University Rifle Club
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The Aberdeen University Rifle Club in its current form was founded in 1964 by Cyril De Jonckheere who is currently the Scottish National B Team coach and the most capped internationalist in the history of Scottish smallbore rifle shooting.
History
The University of Aberdeen are known to have entered The Aberdeenshire and District Smallbore Shooting Association regional shooting competitions as far back as 1919 under the name of the "OTC". These competitions are now being won 90 years later by the Aberdeen University Rifle Club. The club used to be known as the Aberdeen University Small Arms Club (AUSAC).
Facilities
The club originally shot under Elphinstone Hall in the heart of the University of Aberdeen campus. The club later moved to Portlethen where they shared the range. In the 1990s with the development of Denwood Range as an international shooting centre with 20 firing electric firing points at 50 m, a further 20 at 100 yards and a large range with eight 10 m air and 25-yard indoor firing points. The club room includes a kitchen, pool table and large social area. This facility is unequalled in Scotland and is the finest university range in the United Kingdom.
Domestic competitions
As the success of the club grew it competed more regularly in competitions out with the traditional circuit. It has had significant success in such competitions. The stand out success being defeating Bon Accord Rifle Club, who hold the British Record and were defending champions in the British Club Championships in 2008. The university team recorded the highest score in the country for this round.
University competitions
The Aberdeen University Rifle Club has been the standout sport for the University of Aberdeen over the last three years. In the last two years it has brought significantly more BUCS points than any other university sport. The club has led the SUS competition table for numerous awards and often a clean sweep in the SUS competitions.
University of Aberdeen competitions
This success been recognised through in the last five years winning all five of the universities sports trophies on at least one occasion.
The AJM Edwards Memorial Award- Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to University sport over a number of years.
Centenary Cup- This cup is presented to an individual or team who excels in a single event during the previous sporting season.
The Sandy Morrison Memorial Trophy- Presented to an individual who has performed to an exceptionally high level at his or her chosen sport.
The Allender Memorial Trophy- This is awarded to the most deserving club at the discretion of the Blues Committee, which consider competitive performances, as well as fund-raising, social events, training and tours. Basically it's our club of the year trophy.
Further more significant recognition has occurred with SUS awarding two of their three prestigious awards to the Aberdeen University Rifle Club. This is against all 17 Scottish Universities approximately 500 club and representative teams. Gordon Cox won the first ever volunteer of the year award in 2007 and the club won best team award in 2009.
International representation
The rifle club has a long history of international representation. There are many British and Scottish records held by past and present students of the club. Currently nine past and present students of the University of Aberdeen can be found in the Scottish national squad. Many of these have gone on to represent Great Britain on the world stage.
There have been notable adhoc success for our club members such as the Scottish Commonwealth youth runner up and the award for the best City of Aberdeen sporting student.
World Cups
There have been numerous representatives from the University of Aberdeen but currently the only medal winner is Neil Stirton who won silver at Munich World Cup 2008.
2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games
| Name | Status | Sport/Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Rudd | Student | Men’s Individual Air Rifle | 9th |
| Graham Rudd | Student | Men’s Pairs Air Rifle | 8th |
| Graham Rudd | Student | Men’s Individual 3 Positions Rifle | 11th |
| Graham Rudd | Student | Men’s Pairs 3 Positions Rifle | 4th |
| Heather Rudd | Student | Women’s Individual Air Rifle | 12th |
| Heather Rudd | Student | Women’s Pairs Air Rifle | 8th |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Individual 50m Rifle | 9th |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Pairs 50m Rifle | Silver |
2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games
| Name | Status | Sport/Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graham Rudd | Alum | Men’s Individual Air Rifle | 11th |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Individual 50m Prone Rifle | 5th |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Pairs 50m Prone Rifle | Gold |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Individual 3 Positions Rifle | 9th |
| Neil Stirton | Alum | Men’s Pairs 3 Positions Rifle | Bronze |
| Kay Copland | Student | Women’s Individual 3 Positions Rifle | 11th |
| Kay Copland | Student | Women’s Pairs 3 Positions Rifle | Bronze |
| Kay Copland | Student | Women’s Individual 50m Prone Rifle | 13th |
| Kay Copland | Student | Women’s Pairs 50m Prone Rifle | Gold |
University representation
Great Britain
The Aberdeen University Rifle Club has had members represent Great Britain at the World University Games. These students have recently included Heather Rudd and James Paterson.
Scotland
The Scottish Universities Smallbore Rifle team will annually contain numerous University of Aberdeen students. It has not been unheard of for the winning Scottish team at the Home Nations international to be made up of and captained by 75% University of Aberdeen students.
References
Scottish Smallbore Rifle Association
National Smallbore Rifle Association
Scottish Target Shooting Federation
Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland
2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games
British University and College Sport
