Government exploring options for including shooting in 2022 Games

Sports Minister, Tracey Crouch MP, has confirmed that the Government is "exploring the potential" of including shooting in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

Ms Crouch made her comments during a debate in Westminster on 27 June which was secured by Alister Jack MP from Dumfries and Galloway. Mr Jack noted the "phenomenal" performance of the Home Nations at this year's Games in Australia, where athletes from the UK won 38% of shooting medals available, including a gold medal won by one of Mr Jack's constituents.

Shooting is an optional sport at the Commonwealth Games, although it has been included in every Games since 1970. The organisers of the Birmingham Games have blamed lack of facilities for the decision to exclude shooting from the 2022 sports programme.

Ms Crouch said that both she and the Secretary of State, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, supported calls to reinstate shooting but stressed that the decision was not up to the Government. She highlighted potential cost and logical challenges to including shooting sports in the Birmingham Games but said that the Government was looking at these issues and that the challenges "are not necessarily ones that cannot be overcome". Revamping Bisley shooting ground or building a new facility in the West Midlands for the Birmingham Games were both raised in the debate.

The Countryside Alliance sent out a briefing note ahead of the debate, available here.

Liam Stokes, Head of Shooting at the Countryside Alliance, commented: "For the sake of competitive shooting in this country and around the world, is vital that shooting sports be included in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. We are delighted that the Government recognises this and are lending their influence to our calls for shooting sports to be reinstated. Great Britain is great at shooting and our athletes deserve an opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd in Birmingham, a city infused with gunsmithing heritage. We will continue to campaign on this issue until shooting's inclusion in the 2022 Commonwealth Games is confirmed."