Whitworth student takes on country’s best in shooting comp

Xander Ashdown, who will take part in the British Schools’ Pistol Championships 2020/21

Hot shot Xander Ashdown is hoping he will be on target when he represents his school in the British Schools’ Pistol Championships 2020/21.

Although Xander, a Year 7 pupil at Whitworth Community High School has been shooting for a few years with his dad and granddad, he only took the sport seriously during lockdown.

He shoots with both a pistol and a rifle and is a member of Rochdale Air Gun Club and the National Small-Bore Rifle Association.

Xander, 11, from Whitworth, said: “I became a member of Rochdale Air Gun Club in August and I go with my dad every weekend.

“I have been doing a lot of practice and I am looking forward to taking part in the competition and representing my school.”

His mum Janette said: “Obviously this is subject to Covid-19 lockdown measures at the gun club but fingers crossed he will hopefully get to do it as the entries don’t have to be in until 1 December.”

In round 1 he will shoot at four targets from a distance of 10 metres with five shots per target, with a maximum score of 200 points.

The shots on target will be verified by Rochdale Air Gun Club, and regional awards will be handed out.

Janette added: “If Xander is lucky enough to get through to the national finals, they will now take place virtually on 9 February 2021, so there will be live participation.”