“The Shooting Federation of Canada (SFC) has created this Long Term Athlete Development framework as a model for the development of athletes in the Target Shooting sports.  Through our efforts, we acknowledge the support of our funding partners, Canadian Sport Centres and Sport Canada, as we are part of a national LTAD initiative involving every sport in Canada."

Become involved in Target Shooting​

Young participants in Target Shooting are usually introduced through the influence or guidance of family members, where the family has a strong history of participation.  Once introduced, an individual can remain active in Target Shooting for many years, either as a recreational participant or as a competitive athlete.  Target Shooting is considered a life-long sport.

Target Shooting in Canada

In Canada, the majority of participants in Target Shooting commence their careers as recreational athletes at the local club level.  Pony clubs, Biathlon, Tetrathlon and Modern Pentathlon are other sports that include Target Shooting, and athletes may compete in these sports as well as in the Target Shooting disciplines. 

PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

pFor every success there is a pathway that leads to that dream. See the S.F.C. Pathway to becoming a National Team Member to find out where to start your journey ~Learn More

Stages of LTAD

ACTIVE START

Chronological Age 0 – 6 years;

Participants with a physical disability may enter at any age, with or without a support person.  During the Active Start stage, young children learn some of the fundamentals of movement.  Daily physical activity and active play are very important in the early years.

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FUNdamentals

Chronological Age 6 – 10+ years

Participants with a disability may enter at any age, with or without a support person.  During the Active Start stage, participants learn how to move their bodies in a variety of ways.  Now in the FUNdamentals state, this basis of movement leads to the development of skills with universal application to all sports.  Children in this state should sample a wide range of sport activities.  These activities should be well-structured, positive and fun.  Through these activities, the child will further develop fundamental movement skills, and, by the end of the stage, will begin to develop fundamental sport skills.  Bypassing basic skill development in this state is detrimental to the child’s future engagement in physical activity and sport.
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Introduction to Target Shooting

Years in the sport 1 – 3+ years

General objectives for this stage:

• To ensure that activities are fun and holistic in nature, providing a wide focus
• To introduce participants to Target Shooting sports
• To provide a safe, positive and fun Target Shooting environment that keeps participants motivated to remain in the sport
• To develop excellent basic technique
• To continue to develop and maintain the components of physical fitness through ongoing participation in a variety of sports and physical activities

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Train to Train

Years in the sport 2 – 5+ years

General objectives for this stage:

• To further develop and consolidate technical skills in 1 or 2 disciplines
• To build an aerobic base and develop speed and strength
• To introduce competition
• To develop a love for the sport, and a desire to remain in the sport
• To continue the “fun” component of Target Shooting, but focusing the concept of fun in the direction of achieving excellence

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Train to Compete

Years in the sport 4 – 9+ years

General objectives for this stage:

• To refine technical skills and specialize in one Target Shooting discipline
• To optimize physical preparation
• To learn to compete under a wide variety of conditions and circumstances
• To introduce an integrated support team to enhance athlete performance
• To develop a single-minded focus on achieving perfection in performance

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Train to Win

Years in the sport 8 – 10+ years

General objectives for this stage:

• To demonstrate consistent “performance on demand” and to attain podium performances
• To optimize physical preparation, competition and performance skills
• To maximize the use of integrated support teams to help the athlete attain podium performances

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Active for Life

Target Shooting is a lifetime sport – Years in the sport; no specified lengths given that Target Shooting sports are late entry sports

General objectives for this stage:

• To provide opportunities for lifetime participation in any of the Target Shooting disciplines
• To provide opportunities for participants to try a new Target Shooting discipline
• To provide opportunities for retiring competitive athletes to remain active in the sport as coaches, officials and volunteers
• To provide opportunities for social interaction and to encourage participants to work with others within the sport
• To maintain established fitness levels and proper lifestyle”

“Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on your mind.”

– Jackie Joyner-Kersee