Isle of Man Target Shooting Federation (IoMTSF), the Governing Body for the sport of shooting on the Isle of Man, has had great success at National and International level over the years. Recently, Joshua Holden, was selected to represent GB in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup in May, following progress through British Shooting’s Talent Pathway. We caught up with some of the IoMTSF representatives and Joshua to find out a bit more about IoMTSF’s performance pathways and future plans.
Tell us a bit more about the current performance pathways and opportunities for junior shooters on the Island.
Junior shooters on the Isle of Man begin their journey at local clubs, learning and testing their skills in league and postal matches. Early off-island experience comes at regional and national opens like the British, Scottish, and Welsh Championships, while the annual NSRA Junior International offers a key stepping stone — a four-day event where the Isle of Man junior team competes against squads from as far afield as South Africa. As performance improves, athletes can represent the Isle of Man at multi-sport events, including the International Island Games and the Commonwealth Games (both proud hunting grounds for Manx shooters’ medal success). For those aiming higher, British Shooting’s Performance Pathway offers a route to elite development. With commitment, Manx juniors can climb from grassroots to world-class levels.
What is the British Shooting Pathway?
British Shooting's Performance Pathway is a structured system designed to identify, develop, and support talented pistol and rifle shooters, with the ultimate goal of producing world-class athletes capable of competing and winning at major international competitions, including the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The pathway consists of 4 performance tiers, starting out at the Development Academy level for athletes early in their shooting careers but showing potential to progress to higher levels, up to the World Class tier for athletes at or nearing a performance level capable of winning medals at major internationals such as the Olympics and World Championships.
ISSF Junior World Cup
How did you get selected to represent Great Britain and what was the experience like?
After every domestic competition (such as the British Championships) my scores are uploaded to the British Rankings. These rankings alongside other criteria such as developmental potential and suitability for team events are used by British Shooting to select athletes to represent Great Britain at the Junior World Cup.
The event was an amazing experience. Competing for GB for the first time filled me with pride, and travelling to Germany with the team made it even more special. It was a fantastic learning opportunity — competing at that level gave me a real insight into the intensity of international sport and what it takes to perform among the best. Being around such experienced athletes and coaches was invaluable, and I came away with plenty to reflect on. I’ve already begun refining my approach, particularly in adapting to the differences between domestic and international competition. I’m looking forward to putting these adjustments into practice and seeing how they shape my performances ahead.
What are your plans for the future?
With medical school and elite sport to balance, I'm optimising my training schedule (focused weekday sessions paired with more intensive weekend work) to keep progressing competitively. My roadmap includes targeted European competitions and another Junior World Cup, building methodically toward my transition to senior level in 2027 — all while ensuring my medical studies remain on track.
What advice would you give to someone interested in getting involved in shooting?
My first piece of advice would be - reach out! Contact your local shooting club, introduce yourself, and let them know about your interest in the sport. The shooting community is full of supportive people who are always happy to help — especially when it comes to welcoming new faces, particularly juniors (under-22s).
Peveril Rifle Club
Tell us a little bit more about the recent facility development at Peveril Rifle Club.
Having secured a lottery grant and with the assistance of Isle of Man Sport we have been able to finally add enough to our fund to cover the building of a new club house. This was extended to add a covered firing point to allow for all weather practice on our 25m range for competitors. We’re the only facility on Island that can specifically cater for all types of pistol target sports from Olympic disciplines to International Shooting Sport Federation competitions, putting Peveril on a global platform for members to practice.
What are the long term plans for the Peveril Rifle Club facility and how will this benefit shooting on the Island?
We’re in the process of getting the range and clubhouse ready for accreditation as an NRA Centre of Excellence. This will position the Isle of Man at the forefront of pistol disciplines in the British Isles, thanks to its excellent training facilities and coaching programs.
Where can I find out more information about shooting or get involved?
More information can be found on our website, including contacts for all disciplines of shooting! Or you can contact the IoMTSF Chair or Secretary by email:
Harry Creevy, Chair of the IoMTSF said:
"Congratulations to Joshua on earning his first GB cap (representing Great Britain) at the ISSF Junior World Cup in Germany. The experience gained from competing in his first major international event will surely fuel his determination to improve — not just for national competitions but also for future GB selections. The modernisation of the Isle of Man’s shooting ranges continues, with Peveril undergoing a major overhaul of its 25m range, including a complete rebuild of the clubhouse and facilities. Since establishing itself at Slieau Lhost 25 years ago, the club has come a long way from its humble beginnings and its dedicated members deserve great credit. We hope the National Rifle Association (NRA) will grant Peveril prestigious ‘Centre of Excellence’ status, recognising its high standards in training and facilities. We’d also like to thank IOM Sport for their continued support, including with our athletes' competition travel and local development initiatives, which help us to nurture talent and grow our sport."
Isle of Man Sport, through the Support for Sport funding programme, have provided over £3,500 towards junior shooters attending British Shooting Performance Pathway training in the UK in the last 3 years, in addition to a further £8,000 since 2021/22 for travel to targeted national and international competitions.