Grace targets gold medal at 2014 Games

Grace targets gold medal at 2014 Games

25 January 2012 - by JOANNE FLEMING

A STRANGFORD teenager is hoping she can make it all the way to the Commonwealth Games with local support.

Grace Coburn has been selected on to the 2014 Commonwealth Games target rifle shooting panel from which competitors will be selected to represent Northern Ireland.

Already a target rifle shooter at national level, she has represented the Army Cadet Force over the last three years with tours to Canada and the Channel Islands.

Now 18, the former Down High student has to leave the Army Cadet Force but has every hope of success competing at adult level. Having just returned from selection trials in England, Grace is now part of the Great Britain Under 19 target rifle team’s tour to South Africa in March.

Currently undertaking a Sports Studies course at East Down Institute, Grace explained how the love of the shooting sustains her commitment to this expensive and demanding sport.

“I have been doing this for about six years now,” she said. “My grandfather and dad always shot. It was something I was good at.

“I came to it through the Army Cadet Force and though I am leaving now I hope to give something back and be an instructor.”

Acknowledging it is a male dominated sport, she continued: “I am very practical. It is about teaching the body to stay completely calm and block out all psychological factors and block the adrenaline.”

Making the grade for the Under 19 Great Britain team is Grace’s career highlight so far along with coming third in the recent Irish Open at such a young age.

“Some of my competitors are in their fifties and sixties,” she said. “You can carry on doing this into your eighties.”

And while keen to keep progressing, Grace explains that the cost of competing in the sport can be prohibitive.

“I recently purchased a new hand built full bore rifle, which nearly exceeded £4,000 and then there is the cost of the ammunition and the kit,” she said.

“The Under 19 Great Britain tour to South Africa will cost £2,500 and as well as studying I have part-time jobs in the Cuan and Heatons and part-time cleaning jobs.”

Having already arranged waitressing work for when she is out in Bloemfontein, Capetown, Grace added: “It will not be luxurious.”

Representing Northern Ireland in the Commonwealth Games in 2014 is, however, her main focus. She is one of 10 on the panel, from which a final pair will be selected.

And while hopeful of success, Grace acknowledged she has many years ahead of her in a sport which already gives her so much back.

“It gives me confidence,” she said. “It is something individual to me that nobody can take away.”

In other duties she is looking forward to accompanying the Lord Lieutenant for County Down, David Lindsay, as his cadet in forthcoming events such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Grace has extended thanks to the following who have so far supported her: BOC Gases, The Cuan, Down District Council, Milligan Oil, McElholm Optometrists, Finnebrogue Venison, Army Cadet Force, David Lindsay, Mary Peters Trust.

Anyone who thinks they can help Grace with future sponsorship is asked to contact her on 4488 1420.