Sharpshooter Grace looks forward after South African success

Sharpshooter Grace looks forward after South African success

25 April 2012 - by Joanne Fleming

A TEENAGE target rifle shooter from Strangford is now an international medal winner approaching the top of her game.

Grace Coburn (19) came top of the under 19 Great Britain team, which recently travelled to Bloemfontein, Capetown for the South African Open.

Taking away six medals, and having won several sections of the competition outright, Grace is currently considering whether to pursue participation in the 2014 Commonwealth Games or consider an offer from the Irish national team.

“I was the fourth lady overall, top in the under 19 Great British team and second in the under 19 category overall,” said Grace of last month’s South African tour.

The former Down High student, currently undertaking a Sports Studies course at South Eastern Regional College, has represented the Army Cadet force over the last three years, with tours to Canada and the Channel Islands.

“In Canada I was being pipped at the post but this time in the events I was beating everyone else,” she said.

“The next stage is to shoot for an international team, so you have Ireland and Great Britain.”

With the interest passed down from her grandfather and father, Grace has been shooting for the past six years, and with some of her competitors in their fifties and sixties, the Strangford teenager appears to have a bright future ahead.

Grace has several part-time jobs to help fund her passion, and despite the prohibitive cost competing, she said South Africa was far from glamorous experience.

“There was quite literally a wooden hut with a metal roof, and ants,” she said of their accommodation. “It was their official army base camp. It was dire, and there were power cuts.

“Most people have a job, or a part time job, to fund them and help pay for tours such as this. A barrel rifle costs between £7,000 and £9,000, and aside from everything you need for that there’s ear defenders, solvent brushes and shooting jackets.

“My dad bought me a big shooting jacket a while ago hoping I would grow into it, but I don’t think I will now, so I will have to get one of those.

“It’s just a pity it’s not football I got into.”

Accommodation aside, Grace said she loved her South African adventure which afforded a little time, when not competing, to see some of her surroundings.

“I got to see lions and zebras and the rehabilitation centres for animals in the wild,” she said. “My family and friends were delighted with how I did and I want to thank everyone who supported me, the sponsors and the individual sponsors. I would also like to thank my coaches Hazel McIntosh and Trevor Steel.”

Grace has extended thanks to 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, the Mary Peters Trust, Asda, Oliver Hamilton Plant Hire Contracts and RFCA.