Grace is hoping to target more medals in coat of many colours

Grace is hoping to target more medals in coat of many colours

6 February 2013 - by BY JOANNE FLEMING

STRANGFORD sharpshooter Grace Coburn is pushing new boundaries in her sport.

Aged only 19, she is already an international medal winner in target rifle shooting and has just been selected as an Ireland team member for the South African Open Championships in March.

Competing in the full bore target rifle class, Grace has also been selected for the Great Britain NRA Tour, and will be competing in the Jersey Open in May.

“2013 is the biggest year to date in terms of what is happening for me,” said Grace. “I had not expected to get into the GB squad, for instance. It is usually very hard so for them to say about joining is great.”

Grace also hopes to compete at Commonwealth Games level, and while this is unlikely for 2014, she hopes she has many games ahead of her.

The South Eastern Regional College student is already beating established competitors in their 50s and 60s, and at last year’s European Long Range Championship with Ireland got the top score within the whole competition, while Ireland as a team came second overall.

Grace currently shoots 7.62 full bore calibre, for which there is currently not a class in the Olympic Games. However, there is for 22. rifles, which do not shoot as far, and she says she may build on her experience in this field in the future.

For the moment she is busy completing her sports studies course and balancing part-time cleaning jobs and waitressing at the Cuan with her extensive training.

Grace took up shooting as a hobby seven years ago as a junior Army Cadet, but being one of the country’s top markswomen comes at a cost — with ammunition, equipment and competition travel and accommodation costs to be paid, she is always looking for sponsorship help.

“I had to go to Switzerland for a new shooting jacket and that cost £500,” she said.

“It’s multicoloured as I wanted something a little different. It has to be as tight as

possible to help you keep position. You have to get down, not be able to move and stay steady.

“Dad got me one a few years ago, thinking I would grow into it but I don’t think I will. I’ve been doing well enough with the other one so hopefully this will really help.

“With your right arm you have to be picking up the round, putting it into the chamber, closing the bolt and putting your finger on trigger while being relaxed and your left arm firmly stays on the ground. The elbow does not move.”

Via the Mary Peters Trust and her coach Hazel McIntosh Grace was recently named an Asda Athlete of the Year, being awarded £500 and a year of fundraising opportunities within the store.

“So far I have been facepainting, nail painting and bag packing in the Downpatrick store,” said Grace. “I would like to thank Asda and my other sponsors so far, the South Eastern Regional College, ACF, RFCA, Mary Peters Trust, Finnebrogue Venison, Seaforde Scrap Metals, and the Belfast Arms Company.”

To help Grace with sponsorship opportunities, she can be contacted on 028 44881420 or at gracecoburn19@googlemail.com