COWRA PISTOL CLUB SCORES FUNDING FOR RANGE EXPANSION

Cowra Pistol Club will undertake significant facility upgrades after securing funding through the NSW Government’s Safe Shooting Program.

The club has been awarded $43,559 to support its ongoing building program, which includes replacing existing 50-metre shooting bays, constructing new 25-metre bays, and developing dedicated air shooting bays.

Member for Cootamundra, Steph Cooke, said the funding would help ensure the club can continue to provide safe, modern and accessible facilities for local shooters.

“This investment will allow Cowra Pistol Club to continue improving its facilities and support the growing number of people in the region who participate in shooting sports,” Ms Cooke said.

Air shooting is an Olympic discipline, and the addition of specialised bays will create new opportunities for local athletes of all ages and abilities to train and compete at a higher level.

Cowra Pistol Club president Graham Athorpe said the grant would play a crucial role in helping the club meet rising demand and improve accessibility.

“We have a growing membership, and the grant will allow us to continue to grow,” Mr Athorpe said.

“We are an all‑abilities club, accessible to all people, and we want to make the club even better and make the whole range available to everyone.”

Ms Cooke said the Safe Shooting Program was designed to strengthen community sporting infrastructure while ensuring facilities remain safe and inclusive.

“Our local sporting clubs are run by passionate volunteers, and this funding recognises the important role they play in providing opportunities for people to have fun, develop their skills and connect with their community,” Ms Cooke said.

The NSW Government’s Safe Shooting Program provides grants of up to $80,000 to enhance sport shooting facilities across the state and support safe, inclusive and accessible environments for participants and spectators alike.