FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are shooting sports safe?
Shooting sports are proven to be one of the safest scholastic sports there are. According to American Sports Data, Inc., trap and skeet have one of the lowest occurrences of injury of any sport — 0.4 per 100 participants. Sports with higher occurrences of injuries include golf (1.0), gymnastics (2.9), baseball (5.8), basketball (7.6), ice hockey (15.9), and football (18.8).
Safety is the first and foremost rule in all shooting sports and certainly within TNSCTP. Firearms are unloaded 99 percent of the time and athletes must complete TWRA’s Hunter Safety course prior to stepping onto a TNSCTP shooting range.
What kind of financial commitment should I expect?
Financial commitment can vary depending on how much time an athlete spends on the practice range, but an average season usually costs somewhere between $500 and $1,000.
Here’s a sample budget for a TNSCTP season. (Click for a larger view.)
How much travel is involved?
Travel depends on where your team is located and where tournaments are held. The State Championships take place in Nashville around the middle of June and the National Championships are held in Sparta, Illinois, in the middle of July. There may also be some travel to competitions within your team’s region.
What kind of equipment do I need to get started?
Athletes need a shotgun (12 or 20 gauge), hearing protection, shooting glasses, a shooting vest or pouch, and a gear bag. Other items may be needed and will be determined by the coach as the season begins.
What time of year is the regular season and big events?
Most teams begin practicing in February and March depending upon the weather, but some teams practice year round. State and national tournaments are in June and July, respectively.
How do I know our coach is qualified?
All head and assistant coaches in TNSCTP must complete the NRA Level 1 Shotgun Coach course.
Will we need to purchase uniforms?
Consult with your head coach. Most teams purchase some type of uniform which often includes t-shirts, vests, and caps.
Does Tennessee SCTP offer college scholarships?
Current Tennessee SCTP athletes who are graduating high school seniors and who have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 can apply for scholarships.
Robert E. Tipton Memorial Scholarship – Application
Tennessee Scholastic Clay Target Program Scholarship – Application
Dr. John O. Gayden Memorial Scholarship – Application
RESOURCES
Insurance
TNSCTP makes available many types of insurances that are either included in registration at no cost or are optional for coaches, parents, and organizations.
All registered TNSCTP shooters and coaches are covered (at no cost) by a Accident Insurance Policy purchased by TNSCTP. This insurance:
- Provides each team a separate limit of $1,000,000 per occurrence / $2,000,000 aggregate general liability insurance coverage.
- Provides each team with a certificate of insurance.
- Provides other benefits including $1,000,000 Personal Injury/Advertising Injury, $1,000,000 Each Occurrence, $50,000 Damage to Premises Rented to You, $5,000 Medical Payments
For coaches, the National Rifle Association (NRA) also offers liability insurance coverage for firearms, coaches, and instructors. Please visit http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/instructor.asp for details.
Sportsman Agency Insurance also provides insurance on firearms and other items. This company is already established with the NGBs, and we have had nothing but good references on the cost and claims process. They are $1.25 per $100 per year vs. NRA at $1.65 per $100 per year. SAI also insures at repacement value on current production guns, no questions asked. For more, visit http://www.siai.net