The USA High School Target League (USAHSCTL), a division of the USA Clay Target League, is the largest high school clay target shooting sport program in the nation. As an independent provider of clay target shooting sports as extracurricular activities for students in grades 6 through 12. What does that mean nationwide? Well, that 26,678 student athletes representing 1,042 high school teams are taking part in high school clay target leagues affiliated with USAHSCTL this spring.
It's all about safety and sportsmanship. Participating students are guided by more than 7,200 volunteers who serve as coaches, range safety officers,and additional support. In fact, The League is the safest sport in high school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Naturally, each student is required to pass a comprehensive firearm safety education course prior to participation
To participate in the League, each team must have the approval of their school’s administration. The League is the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America.
“Clay target shooting as an activity for high school athletes continues to grow by rapidly,” said John Nelson, President of the USAHSCTL, “The record-setting growth we’ve seen shows the demand for alternative high school activities related to America’s longstanding outdoor traditions.”
The League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to high schools nationwide. The League is fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team. Additionally it’s an ‘adaptive’ sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.
“We take pride in that athletes of all types are able to participate in clay target shooting,” said Nelson, “The League’s True Team® scoring system is designed so that everyone’s score matters, not just the top shooters on a team.”
The League attracts student athletes to participate in shooting sports while creating a ‘virtual’ competition among high school teams throughout each state. Family travel is minimal because practice and competition are conducted at a shooting range near the school’s location. Conferences are determined by team size rather than geographic location for fair competition. Athletes earn "True Team" scoring points as determined by their performance and ranking against all athlete scores within their team’s conference. The team score and overall standing are calculated by adding the earned points from qualifying athletes and posted on the League's website.
Sound interesting? You can learn more by visiting http://www.usaclaytarget.com/.
