Aberdeen University Rifle Club

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 50m, a further 20 at 100yrds and a large range with 8 10m air and 25 yrd 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

Munich 2008 World Cup

Scottish Smallbore Rifle Association

National Smallbore Rifle Association

Scottish Target Shooting Federation

Commonwealth Games Council for Scotland

2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games

2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

British University and College Sport

Scottish University Sport