14,708 ATHLETES REGISTERED AS USA CLAY TARGET LEAGUE BREAKS FALL PARTICIPATION RECORD.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept 19th, 2023
Eagan, Minnesota – The season is underway for 14,708 student athletes participating in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this fall. Those athletes are competing on 873 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide. An increase of nearly 1,500 student athletes and more than 100 teams compared to 2022’s fall participation.
“Athletes and parents want safe, school-based, non-traditional outdoor activities in which to participate. The League’s school-approved programs provide a sense of team, belonging, and camaraderie without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports.” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL.
“Every year 95% of non-graduating students return to participate in the League’s programs, and over 12,000 new athletes joined the League this year through their school’s teams. In the League there are no benchwarmers – everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”
About the USA Clay Target League
With over 47,000 participating athletes in the 2022-23 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
The League the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America. Every team must have school approval to participate. Most participating schools have lettering programs as well as yearbook inclusion for the teams. In addition, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the League and post-secondary institutions each year.
The League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to schools nationwide: it’s fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team, and it’s an ‘adaptive’ sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.
The League’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order.
The League is the safest sport in school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Each athlete must complete firearm safety certification before participation.