Rifle Club
Welcome to Cardiff University Rifle Club (CURC)!
About us:
Cardiff University Rifle Club welcomes shooters of all abilities: from those who have never picked up a rifle before, to international medallists! Rifle shooting is a sociable sport and a fantastic way to meet new people across Cardiff and other universities! No firearms licence, equipment, or prior experience is required - we have everything you need to get started or continue to develop in the sport! We have the facilities to coach prone and bench-rest shooting on .22 calibre rifles, and standing shooting with .177 air rifles/pistols (like Yusuf Dikec!), but mainly focus on developing prone shooting capabilties at 25yds. We can also offer assistance in finding suitable courses and events to suit your own shooting tastes. CURC is affiliated to the National Smallbore Rifle Association (NSRA), Welsh Rifle Association and the British Young Shooters' Association (BYSA).
Training:
We train .22 target rifle every Wednesday and Saturday at Penarth Rifle Club. We have an expert coaching team formed of a former Welsh National Squad coach and experienced full club members - this allows us to train everyone to a high standard! New members can expect to be coached on the different elements of shooting technique, so from setting up in a jacket and sling, to breathing technique and triggering, you will learn everything you need to shoot those 10s!!
Competitions:
CURC is one of the most successful BUCS scoring clubs in Cardiff University, winning gold in BUCS short range and 50m pairs, and bronze in long-range women's triad and teams long-range in 2022! We currently enter BUCS indoors and the Welsh Indoor Championships (.22LR at 25yds.) We also strive to enter additional competitions organised by BUCS and NSRA throughout the year, depending on member interest.
The competitions we enter are typically shot in divisions - an ideal way for anyone to shoot competitively for the first time as you will always be shooting against people of a similar level to you. With such a wide range of competitions throughout the year, everyone has the chance to represent Cardiff University, whatever your experience!
Our stand-out competition of the year is our Varsity match against Swansea Shotgun & Rifle Club. We have won this every year for the past decade, a record we're very proud of!
Socials & Trips:
CURC is a very active club and we run regular socials! Attendance is not compulsory but is highly encouraged as it's a great way to get to know fellow members and is always a lot of fun. Alongside this, the club organises special events to coincide with the end of each semester, such as our Christmas Dinner, and our Summer black-tie dinner.
As a club we recognise that some members don't drink - that's why we run regular non-alcoholic social events, which are just as fun! Previous socials include mini-golf, bowling, ice-skating, and laser-quest.
Without a doubt one of the highlights of the year; in the spring semester we travel to the National Shooting Centre in Bisley, Surrey for a wonderful weekend of rifle club fun. Members have the chance to shoot a range of full-bore rifles, including AR-15s, historic Lee Enfields, and some of CURC's own target rifles at distances from 100 to 700 yards! With places always selling out fast, this is a great chance to get to know other members and try something new!
Recent Achievements:
Athletic Union Awards
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2023/24: CURC member shortlisted for Most Improved Sportsman of the year.
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2020/21: CURC is named Club of the Year; 2020/21 President receives Covid Hero Award.
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2018/19: 2019/20 President receives AU President's Award for Outstanding Achievement.
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2017/18: 2 Members win Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year, respectively.
Welsh Rifle Varsity
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Champions 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 (2020 and 2021 events cancelled), 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025.
BUCS Indoors Competition
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2022/23: 4th in men's individual, 5th in men's team event, 8th in mixed individual.
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2021/22: 1st in team event, 3rd in men's individual, 4th in women's individual.
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2020/21: 1st in team event, 1st in women's individual, 1st in novice event, 2nd in men's individual, 3rd in men's individual.
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2019/20: 3rd in team event.
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2018/19: 3rd in team event, 3rd in men's individual.
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2017/18/: 4th in team event, 1st in men's individual, 2nd in women's individual.
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2016/17: 4th in team event.
BUCS Outdoors Competition
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2021/22: 1st in 50m pairs, 3rd in woman's triad, 3rd in teams of four, 4th in teams of eight, 1st and 3rd in individuals.
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2018/19: 1st in women's triad, 2nd in quartet, 4th in team of eight, 4th in pairs.
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2017/18: 1st in quartet, 1st in men's individual, 2nd in pairs.
BUCS Full-bore Competition
Welsh 25yd Championships
- 2024/25: 1st in Tyro class, 3rd in University class
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2023/24: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in University class
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2022/23: 1st and 2nd in University class, 1st place in team class, 2nd in A class, 3rd in B class, 2nd in C class, 3rd in Tyro class.
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2021/22: Student Champion, 1st in B class, 2nd and 4th in Tryo class, 3rd in women's, 4th in teams.
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2019/20: University Champions (team), 2nd & 3rd in Tyro class, 2nd in womens, 1st in A-class, 1st in C class and 1st in B class.
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2018/19: Student Champion, Ladies Champion, University Champions (team), 2nd and 3rd in individual championship, 1st and 2nd in Tyro (beginners) class.
Merchandise:
We are currently sponsored by Macron who supply a range of items from clothing to kit bags - our page can be found Here.
Membership:
Membership is £45 for the year or £30 for a semester - significantly cheaper than most rifle clubs! After this, the only additional costs are for .22LR ammunition and for trips - both of which are further subsidised by the club!
Membership refunds are only available to those who have not made any use of their membership (e.g. have not attended a single session).
All other refunds are considered at the discretion of the committee.
Contact us:
We recommend you join our Facebook group for all the latest updates regarding training, socials, competitions, and trips. Otherwise, you can contact our club email - rifle@cardiff.ac.uk
See you on the range!
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