A Penrith 19-year-old has spoken of his passion for competitive shooting — and recalled his immense pride and disbelief at being crowned a world junior champion.
Robert Ramsay first attended shoots with his dad, Andy. At the age of 11, Robert began shooting Action Air — in which airsoft guns are used to hit targets instead of real firearms. This helped him become familiar and comfortable with the practical shooting discipline in which he has since excelled.
In practical shooting — which has grown in popularity during recent years — competitors use firearms to shoot at targets. They accumulate points by engaging all targets, as quickly as possible, on courses known as “stages”, usually by moving and shooting from different positions.
“This involves a lot of quick movement and thought in planning, with lots of different possibilities in the way the stage is shot,” Robert told the Herald. “I remember the first time I shot practical shotgun was at a small competition in Scotland.
“I would have been about 15 and the youngest there by far. But seeing the ways other people shot, and how fast they shot, amazed me and I wanted to get to that level eventually.”
Competitors adhere to strict safety rules in practical shooting, which is governed by the International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC). They use different types of gun with Robert’s chosen one being semi-automatic.
“You can start shooting from pretty much any age. Action Air is the easiest way to get into practical shooting. It is fairly accessible and very fun. It involves shooting gas-operated BB pistols at targets, and is timed,” he said.
“Shooting — especially practical — is not very well known about in the North. We normally compete with the same people. I would love to see practical shooting grow, which is starting to happen by trying to get Olympic recognition.
“Generally, there is little difference in shooters’ ability with age. A lot of extremely good and fast shooters are over the age of 50. In my experience, shooting ability comes with experience and consistency through practice, rather than physical fitness, although fitness does help a lot.”
Robert’s hard work and commitment paid off when he won a junior (under-21) title at the 2023 Scottish Masters and secured his Team GB place at the world championships in Thailand that same year.
He said: “The world shoot is the biggest competition for practical shooting. It is spread across five days where you shoot six stages a day, and beforehand you look at all of the stages. I had all my plans written out on a printout of every stage. I talked to other shooters in my category from Team GB, who were all supportive of me, and we all worked together to come up with stage plans.”
Robert, then 17, took time off sixth form studies at Penrith’s Ullswater Community College to compete and also sampled local food and culture while in Thailand.
At a stunning world shoot opening ceremony, as the youngest Team GB competitor, Robert was given the honour of carrying the union flag.
And during intense competition which took place in searing daily 35-degree temperatures, Robert performed brilliantly and showed laser focus by passing up a chance to check on rivals’ progress before learning he had won the junior world title.
“I couldn’t contain myself. I hadn’t expected to win, even though I wanted to,” he recalled. “I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself by thinking about it. There was then a wait of a day until the award ceremony. There has been no feeling like standing on the podium in front of the best shooters from all across the world. I was in disbelief. Generously, the flag that I held on the podium was given to me. It is now pinned on a wall in my room.
“The world shoot has the best shooters from many countries, so the competition is very tough with some professional shooters, who were great to watch.”
In the aftermath, Robert was approached by Sterling Sporting, sponsors of some of the UK’s best shooters in the UK, and received their backing. “I have had training support and I am surrounded by some very good shooters, which is greatly increasing my standard of shooting,” he said. He attended many main UK matches, and competed in Italy during 2024.
Robert thanked his dad and all those who helped him train for the world shoot and have provided valuable support along the way.
He is currently studying chemical engineering at Newcastle University. “I’m stepping back a bit for the next few years in terms of competitive international competitions while I study at university,” explained Robert. “But I will still be competing locally and supporting the sport; and competing at big UK matches such as the Scottish Masters and Home Countries.
“I plan to return to the world stage eventually, when I have time to prepare to shoot to the true best of my ability.”
