Club receives Idaho Friends of the NRA grant
(Courtesy photo) The Sandpoint Jr. Rifle Club recently received a grant from the Friends of the NRA to purchase new equipment. Pictured in the back row is the presenter, Steve Vreeland, NRA Idaho senior field representative. In the front row holding the check include Michael Myers and Otto Largen. Those in the front row include coach Ron Shadel, Elizabeth Geisinger, Chloe Rothenberger, Nolan Foster, and coach Mike Kauffman.
Nolan Foster
The Sandpoint Jr. Rifle Club has received a $5,561.08 grant from Idaho Friends of the NRA to update the club’s shooting equipment and purchase ammunition.
The grant was presented at the Sandpoint NRA banquet on March 18 in Ponderay. The club has collectively received over $26,000.
The NRA also honored two of the group’s outstanding coaches with an award for “above and beyond coaching.” Recognized were Ron Shadel and John Holbert.
“Coaches Ron and John have been greatly influential in teaching me how to be competitive in shooting sports,” said Nolan Foster, a member of the 2017 Sandpoint Jr Olympic Rifle Team.
“Along with the NRA’s program of fostering Jr. Olympic Rifle, I’ve learned a great deal about safety, accuracy, success and team work from both Coach Ron and Coach John. They really do go above and beyond, treating everyone just like family.”
The Sandpoint Jr. Rifle Club meets weekly on Monday evenings at the Leo Hadley Range in Sandpoint. It is open to anyone 11 and over. Coaches teach three position (prone, kneeling, and standing) Olympic style shooting with .22 rifles.
The season operates from October to May. Shooters compete in Spokane, Bonners Ferry, and Sandpoint with opportunities in Montana.