Building a clearer pathway for Scottish shooting

Scottish Target Shooting has published a new draft Pathway Framework for consultation, setting out a proposed whole-sport structure across participation, development and performance. Alongside the consultation, STS is also recruiting a new Pathway Coordinator to help turn the Framework into effective, connected delivery.

The work has grown directly from STS’s ongoing strategic review. Initial consultation with members identified clearer pathways, communication and transparency as important priorities. In response, STS began developing a clearer picture of how people can enter shooting, access opportunities, develop within the sport and, where appropriate, pursue performance ambitions.

The recent award of Pathway Investment from sportscotland allows STS to accelerate elements of that work and begin introducing new provision this autumn while continuing to consult on and refine the wider Framework.

One pathway, different journeys

The draft Framework proposes five broad stages shared across the whole sport:

First Experience and Participation;
Early Development;
Performance Pathway;
Transition to International Stage; and
High Performance.

These stages are not intended to operate as a compulsory ladder or five grades of athlete. People may enter at different points, access more than one environment at the same time, pause and return, move between disciplines or step away from formal performance provision while remaining involved in shooting.

The aim is to make opportunities and connections clearer while recognising that individual journeys, disciplines and ambitions are different.

The same broad architecture will apply across STS-recognised disciplines, but delivery does not need to look identical. Olympic and Paralympic athletes may ultimately connect with the British Shooting World Class Programme, while other disciplines follow their own relevant GB and international routes.

Moving from Framework to delivery

The sportscotland Pathway Investment will initially support the establishment of a more consistent STS Development Programme for Olympic and Paralympic events. Sitting within Stage 3 of the proposed Framework, the programme will provide structured development opportunities with published selection criteria, a clearly defined athlete offer and stronger connections between club, Development and Performance environments.

The wider Framework is not limited to Olympic and Paralympic shooting. It provides a common structure within which equivalent provision for other disciplines or events can be developed through Association Management Groups, partners, participant contributions or other funding routes as capacity and need allow.

The current investment is targeted; the Framework itself is whole-sport.

Help us refine the Framework

The published Framework remains a draft. Before it is finalised, STS wants to test whether the proposed structure is clear, whether it reflects how people experience and move through the sport and how the less-developed parts of the system should work in practice.

The consultation will particularly explore:

whether the five stages and terminology are clear;
what good Early Development provision should look like;
how opportunities can be made accessible across different disciplines and parts of Scotland;
how Development and Performance environments should connect with personal and club coaches;
how progression and transition between programmes should work; and
where a common whole-sport approach needs to allow discipline-specific flexibility.

Members, stakeholders and anyone with experience of or an interest in Scottish target shooting can read the draft Framework and submit feedback until 18th September 2026.

STS will also hold an online Pathway Framework Consultation Session on 15th September 2026 at 7.30pm. The session will provide an opportunity to hear more about the proposals, ask questions and discuss the areas still being developed.

Further strategic-review engagement, including planned in-person activity later in the year, will continue alongside this focused consultation.

We’re recruiting: Pathway Coordinator

Alongside the consultation, STS is recruiting a new 0.6 FTE Pathway Coordinator, supported through the sportscotland Pathway Investment.

Initially, the postholder’s main focus will be coordinating the establishment and day-to-day delivery of the new Development Programme. They will work with athletes, parents, coaches, Association Management Groups, clubs and Club Development Officers.

As the programme becomes established, the role is expected to evolve alongside the wider Pathway—strengthening connections between environments, supporting athlete transitions and helping to coordinate new or expanded provision where needs are identified.

This is a coordination rather than technical coaching role, and applicants do not need to have a background in target shooting. Applications close 13th September 2026.