Chair’s Update – March 2026

It is great to see the new UKPSA competition season up and running with two very successful level 2 matches kicking off the year, both hosted by Sterling Sport Club. It was great to see Hannah Mawdsley picking up a medal at the Thaw mini rifle match, and very fitting as she did it on International Womans Day. And the Ready Steady Go Shotgun match saw some of the best GB shooters start their bid for British champion. Congratulations and well done to Sterling for hosting two great events.

The Charity Board have continued to develop the UKPSA policies and modernise our business processes including the introduction and adoption of a Risk Register for the charity. I would particularly like to thank our Treasurer, Gareth Cooper, for all his work to bring this together. 

In recent meetings we have also approved a new club affiliation policy with an emphasis on supporting clubs to develop IPSC shooting. For the first time we have also enabled the affiliation of clubs outside Great Britain (if approved by their IPSC region) to help members access IPSC disciplines whch we cannot shoot in Great Britain like Handgun, Rifle and Pistol Caliber Carbine. With our new policy in place we approved the affiliations of three clubs in Great Britain, Centaur Sporting Club, specialist Action Air club, The Depot in Glasgow, and Maidstone Pistol Club. The Board also supported the affiliation of our first Out of Region club appointed under the new policy, the Ulster Rifle Association.

Also at the March meeting the Board for the first time approved an operational budget for the year ahead. This projects a £124,000 investment in the sport for 2026, providing your membership services, shooting and legal insurance and supporting a significantly increased competition calendar. 

The Board also approved Sunday 21^st June 2026, as the date for the Annual General Meeting and the election of members to any Board positions. In 2026 two roles will be elected for three years, the Chair and a Lay Member.  The AGM will be held virtually to allow the maximum number of members to attend. More information will be provided by the General Secretary, Jayne Lawley-Morris, and any members who are interested on serving on the Board are more than welcome to contact either Jayne or myself to find out more about what commitment is involved.

We are currently evaluating the trial advice and advocacy service provided by Firearms Licencing to the UKPSA. Eight of our members have already used their services to help with challenges with police services related to their firearms licences. Whilst these represent a relatively small number of UKPSA members, the very positive feedback suggests the support from Firearm Licencing has made a real difference.

Finally, I would like to pay a personal tribute to Andy Duffy, a stalwart of our sport and true character who recently passed away. I first met Andy in the 1980’s where we enjoyed many a day on the range, and many nights in the pub. Andy played a leading role in delivering our sport and in helping others get involved. As a match official, trainer and acknowledged technical expert, Andy made a major contribution, and he will be greatly missed by me and his many friends. Our deepest condolences to Vanessa and their family.

Take care and stay safe.

Martyn Spence

Chair, UKPSA Board