Ian Ashworth

Ian first shot on his 11th birthday when his father bought him an air rifle. From there he progressed to Lee Enfield No 8s in the Cadets at 13 and then small-bore at his father’s club. He was asked to join a regional training squad and later the National U21 small-bore rifle squad. Highlights included being selected as reserve for an U21 tour to Norway. University then came and Ian stopped shooting when 19 – something he now regrets.

He re-entered the sport by chance some 26 years later in 2011 when his company asked for shooters in an inter-factory TR competition. Ian had a decent shoot, thought “This is fun” and instantly became a committed fullbore shooter. Ian did the NRA tour to the Channel Islands in 2014 (initially as reserve then as a shooter) which fuelled his thirst for a full blown tour. Ian was also reserve in 2015 (sounds familiar) for England’s National Team. His aim is to achieve what eluded him at small-bore and wear the GB flash, and he sees selection as reserve (there’s a theme here) as a stepping stone to this goal.

Ian enjoys fighting for use of the bathroom with his wife Sarah and two young daughters. Ian plays in a local squash league but is usually – you’ve guessed it – reserve!