Junior Shooting Sports Program
The James LeBlanc American Legion Post 230 Sports Committee announced that the Post will sponsor the Spring Lake Beavers Air Rifle Team so they can affiliate with The American Legion Junior Shooting Sports Program (JSSP). Established in 1990, The American Legion JSSP celebrates its 26th anniversary this year. Shooting sports are a National Collegiate Athletic Association and Olympic sport for which there are collegiate scholarship and national and international competition opportunities.
Young shooting enthusiasts residing within Cumberland and Harnett County area may now take advantage of an organized shooting sports program through the JSSP. The JSSP is open to young men and women through the age of 18. JSSP athletes will become members of the Spring Lake Beavers Air Rifle Team, who meet and practice Tuesday & Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings at the Post located on 1654 Veterans DR, Spring Lake, NC. The program utilizes .177 caliber air rifles in the Sporter air rifle category.
The curriculum includes gun safety, specifically the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes for safe handling, and use of firearms. The young athletes also learn basic marksmanship skills and participate in club activities in a wholesome environment. As JSSP members, they will train to compete in The American Legion Junior Position Air Rifle Tournament, which is an annual tournament that begins with postal matches to determine state and regional champions. The next stage is a Qualification Round (also a postal match) to determine shooters who will earn expense paid trips to compete in the State and National Championship. The National Championship is a shoulder-to-shoulder match held during the summer, and is conducted at the U.S. Olympic Training Center/USA Shooting Range Facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This is the same facility that our Olympic shooters train and practice on.
Anyone interested in joining should contact JSSP Coach Bob Richardson at (207) 357-3502 or Springlakebeavers@gmail.com