Rob Jameson is living proof that there is a sport waiting to be discovered by almost everyone and his own particular involvement comes as a member of the Modern Print Inclusive Target Shooting Club which was until recently domiciled in Pennar but now is ensconced at the Kilgetty Community Centre. 

Rob explains his disability . . .

Since he started out Rob has been shooting an NPR 400 air rifle that is manufactured in the UK and is identical to the one used by competitors in the Olympic Games, the only difference being the fact that Rob has tunnel vision (or ‘Retinitis Pigmentosa’ as it is medically known) and so has to use an acoustic sight so that he uses distinct sounds on the sight to home in on the target

“I have trouble distinguishing between blues and blacks, my vision is blurred and I have to wear dark glasses after being been registered as suffering with severely impaired vision in 2013.

. . . And the help on offer from Ron & Co

“There is a very significant cost to the equipment since the rifle costs in the region of £1,500 and the sights are even more costly at around £1,800 because of the high-tech specifications needed, plus the head phones and power pack. 

“But luckily the equipment is provided by Ron Hovell and Co at the club, after they have received total support from Angela Miles, the Disability Officer at Sport Pembrokeshire, and Alan Jones, who runs the Community Chest scheme for Sport Pembrokeshire and has been a terrific help with his advice and support.

Starting out almost by accident

"I first went along to the target shooting club with my group of friends in the Blind Club and both Lawrie Brown and I really enjoyed the experience although it took a little getting used to because of the noise levels when the sights take me close to the targets - and decided to join them.

"With my tunnel vision I thought that sport was out for me but I've had every encouragement from Ron, his wife Kay, Phil Jackson and the rest - and it is amazing how things work out because when I started out I was really pleased if I had two or three shots on target but now I am disappointed if they don't all go in, and with most of them being in the inner rings!

Keen to help others take part, with or without his disability

"I am keen to let others with a sight disability know what is on offer for them in our target shooting club and last year, when the Disability Sport Open Day was held at Haverfordwest Leisure Centre I was pleased to go along and speak to anyone who paid a visit about what was on offer.

“It really was a great day out and it was terrific to have so many people come along and ask questions – and it was a great pleasure to know that in some ways I might have helped someone with any disability take their first tentative steps towards being involved in sport, especially in our target shooting club.

"The same event is going to be held again soon and I'll be delighted to be there all day in the hope that others can gain as much satisfaction and enjoyment as I have had!"

Success as reward for total dedication

It is good to report that Rob's dedication to his sport has resulted in his winning two gold medals at national level in competitions held under the auspices of the National Rifle Shooting Association, as well as others in competitions organised by West Kent target Shooting Club and national Institute for the Blind.

Competitors shoot 100 pellets, with two shots on each target, and these 50 cards are then sent off by Ron Hovell to the competitions' officer so that they can be judged against opponents from other clubs all over the UK.

"I started out in Division 11 and won that to claim my first gold medal and as I result I was promoted straight to Division Four for last season - but had to miss a few events because of family circumstances and found myself in Division Five recently, where I picked up my second gold award."

Rob also enjoys bowls

Outside of his target shooting, Rob has also played indoor bowls with other characters suffering with sight problems like Jack Lloyd and Maddie Roberts, who have been British Bowls champions but because of problems in travelling to Milford Haven he has since taken up short mat bowls and been made very welcome at the club in Foundry House in his home town now of Pembroke.

“I have been made very welcome in both sections of bowls and recently attended the annual dinner at the Nant y Ffin Hotel in Llandissilio.”

Looks forward to training sessions

Back on the target shooting front, training sessions at the club's Kilgetty headquarters are on Tuesday afternoons and there is also second session during the evening if there is ever a clash of things to do, so it works well for Rob and others who wish to be involved in using the acoustic sight system to overcome their sight disability.

“We are all competitive by instinct now but we all get on really well together and provide as much encouragement for colleagues as we can, which makes for great afternoons out – and there is always an element of fun despite the fact that we all take our competitive shooting really seriously!”

High praise from leading light Mr Hovell

When we asked club chairman Ron Hovell, himself a current national champion, about Rob he told us,
"Rob exceeds all our expectations of him because he shows real dedication and has been rewarded with success - and he was brilliant in chatting to people on the Open Day last year and we are delighted he is going to join us again for this year's event because he is a natural communicator.

“He has overcome any hurdles in his way to be successful in his chosen sport and is very reliable - we can totally depend on him!"

High praise from someone who is the life-blood of the Modern Print Inclusive Target Shooting Club and a gold winner himself on several occasions as a founder member – and the life-blood of the club. 

We can pay Rob Jameson no higher tribute - and long may he continue to be a beacon for others with a disability to follow in his footsteps!