An event to mark International Women’s Day in Northern Ireland by introducing women to countryside activities including clay-target shooting, off-road driving, fly casting, air-rifle target shooting and archery will be held on Saturday the 8th March 2014 at Foymore Lodge Country Pursuits Centre in Portadown, County Armagh.
“Women Call the Shots” is being organised by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC NI), Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI), the Gun Trade Guild NI and the organisers of the Northern Ireland Countryside Festival. The day will be led by Ulster Unionist Party MLA Jo-Anne Dobson.
Jo-Anne Dobson said: “As a member of the All Party Group on Country Sports and a member of the farming community, I fully appreciate the many benefits that shooting brings to Northern Ireland in terms of its economic contribution, wildlife management and cross-community benefits. There are roughly 1200 women firearm certificate holders in Northern Ireland. This will be a fun day trying different activities and I am delighted to see the country sports organisations come together to introduce more women to shooting sports and other skills.”
The day will cost £10 per person which includes lunch. All shooting will take place under the supervision of trained coaches.
Places must be booked in advance and anyone wishing to register for the event can contact either BASC NI on 028 92 605050 or Countryside Alliance Ireland on 028 92 639911.
Picture shows left to right: BASC NI director Tommy Mayne and Jo-Anne Dobson MLA.