Selection & Application

This page reflects the Performance Programme arrangements taking effect from 1 August 2026.

The STS Performance Programme operates through two annual Selection Cycles. This page brings together the information you need to understand the selection process, check the relevant requirements and apply to join the Programme.

To support the introduction of the revised Programme, an initial selection process will take place in January 2027 for all disciplines and athlete cohorts. Athletes assigned to the Winter Selection Cycle will normally be selected for 12 months. Those assigned to the Summer Selection Cycle will initially be selected for six months, bringing all athletes into alignment with the appropriate annual cycle.

Athletes who are not currently part of the Programme may express an interest at any time. To be considered within a particular Selection Cycle, your completed application and any required supporting information must be received by the published deadline.

Before You Apply

Before submitting an application, please check that you:

  • Meet the eligibility requirements for your discipline, event and intended international pathway.
  • Have reviewed the Performance Programme Selection Policy and the criteria relevant to your discipline and event.
  • Can provide the required performance evidence, including official results from recognised competitions where applicable.
  • Are prepared to commit to the agreed training and competition programme and engage constructively with Programme personnel and processes.

Please note: Meeting a Minimum Consideration Standard makes you eligible to be considered; it does not guarantee selection, placement within a particular Tier, or access to support services or funding. You do not need to be an STS member when applying, but you will need to obtain and maintain the required membership if selected.

Selection Cycles

Selection and review normally take place annually through either the Winter or Summer Selection Cycle, according to the athlete’s primary event or World Class Programme status.

Athletes competing in more than one event will be asked to nominate their primary event and will normally be considered within the cycle assigned to that event. All World Class Programme athletes will be considered through the Winter Selection Cycle, regardless of event.

Transitional January 2027 Selection

To support the introduction of the revised Programme, all athletes and disciplines will be considered during the January 2027 selection round.

  • Applications from new athletes must be received by 31 October 2026.
  • Existing Programme athletes must submit their end-of-year review paperwork by 30 November 2026.
  • The Selection Meeting will take place w/c 4 January 2027.
  • Winter Cycle athletes will normally be selected for 12 months.
  • Summer Cycle athletes will initially be selected for six months and considered again through the July 2027 selection round.

After this transitional round, the two annual cycles will operate as follows:

Annual Cycle

Winter Selection Cycle

Athletes and events
All World Class Programme athletes, 25m Pistol, 50m Rifle and Shotgun
New applications due
31 October
Existing athlete reviews due
30 November
Selection Meeting
w/c 4 January
Annual Cycle

Summer Selection Cycle

Athletes and events
10m Air Pistol and 10m Air Rifle
New applications due
30 April
Existing athlete reviews due
31 May
Selection Meeting
w/c 5 July

Scope of these cycles: These arrangements apply to the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines and events identified in the published Selection Policy. Where an additional discipline or event is added to the Performance Programme, the relevant policy appendix will confirm its Selection Cycle, any additional Programme objectives and the applicable selection criteria.

Selection Policy & Criteria

The Performance Programme Selection Policy sets out the eligibility requirements, selection process and criteria used when considering athletes for the Programme.

Before applying, athletes should review:

  • the general eligibility and selection requirements;

  • the Programme objectives relevant to their event;

  • the applicable Minimum Consideration Standards;

  • recognised competitions and acceptable performance evidence; and

  • the commitments expected of selected athletes.

Achieving a Minimum Consideration Standard makes an athlete eligible to be considered but does not guarantee selection or placement within a particular Programme Tier.

Read the Selection Policy

Apply to the Programme

Athletes who are not currently part of the STS Performance Programme may submit an application to be considered for selection.

Applications can be submitted at any time but must be received by the relevant published deadline to be considered during the next Selection Cycle. Before applying, please ensure that you have read the Selection Policy and can provide the required performance evidence.

Existing Programme athletes: Annual review paperwork will be issued directly by STS and should be returned by the deadline for your assigned Selection Cycle.

Submit an Application

What Happens Next?

Once your application has been received, it will progress through the following stages:

1

Initial Review

STS will check that your application is complete and that you meet the relevant eligibility requirements.

2

Assessment

Your performance evidence and wider application will be reviewed. You may be asked to provide further information or take part in an assessment before the Selection Meeting.

3

Selection Meeting

The Selection Panel will consider your application against the published criteria, Programme objectives and the support STS can meaningfully provide.

4

Outcome

You will be notified of the outcome in writing. If selected as a new Programme athlete, your initial selection will normally be provisional for six months and reviewed before being confirmed.

Please note: Meeting the Minimum Consideration Standard does not guarantee selection. Where an athlete is not selected, STS may provide feedback and, where appropriate, identify development opportunities or actions that may support a future application.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes. Applications may be submitted at any time. However, to be considered at the next Selection Meeting, your completed application and supporting information must be received by the published deadline for your Selection Cycle. Applications received after that date may be held for the following cycle.

  • Not necessarily. Athletes may submit an application even if they have not yet achieved the relevant Minimum Consideration Standard. However, achieving the standard will normally be required for consideration for the Programme Tiers to which it applies.

    Meeting a Minimum Consideration Standard makes an athlete eligible to be considered; it does not guarantee selection.

  • The Selection Policy identifies the recognised competitions and performance evidence that may be considered. Applicants should provide official results and any other supporting information requested within the application form.

    Where appropriate, STS may also consider assessment results, training data or other relevant evidence in accordance with the published policy.

  • You will be asked to nominate a primary event. This will normally determine the Selection Cycle and criteria under which you are considered, although your performances and development across other events may also be taken into account.

    World Class Programme athletes are considered through the Winter Selection Cycle regardless of their primary event.

  • No. You do not need to hold STS membership when submitting your application. However, athletes selected to the Performance Programme must obtain and maintain the membership required under the Selection Policy.

  • Possibly. STS may ask applicants to provide further information or participate in an assessment before the Selection Meeting. This may be used to better understand your current performance, development needs and suitability for the Programme.

  • No. Programme selection, Tier placement, financial assistance and access to particular services are separate decisions. Any support offered will depend on the athlete’s needs, Programme priorities and the resources available.

  • Athletes will normally be selected and reviewed annually within their assigned Selection Cycle. New athletes will usually complete an initial six-month provisional period before their selection is confirmed.

    As part of the January 2027 transition, athletes assigned to the Summer Selection Cycle will initially be selected for six months and considered again in July 2027.

  • You will be notified of the outcome in writing. STS may provide feedback and, where appropriate, identify development opportunities or actions that could support a future application.

    If you believe the published selection process was not followed correctly, you may be able to submit an appeal under the STS Appeals Procedure.

    I think those nine are enough. I wouldn’t add questions about the application deadline, cycle allocations or existing-athlete reviews because those answers are already prominently displayed immediately above.

Appeals

Athletes who believe that the published selection process or criteria have not been applied correctly may submit an appeal in accordance with the STS Selection & Nomination Appeals Policy.

An appeal cannot be made solely because an athlete disagrees with the Selection Panel’s judgement. Before submitting an appeal, athletes should read the procedure carefully to understand the permitted grounds, required information and applicable deadline.

Selection & Nomination Appeals Policy

Contact

If you have any questions about the Performance Programme, Selection Policy or application process, please contact: performance@scottishtargetshooting.co.uk