Participation in the USA Clay Target League continues to surge, according to the latest data released by the organization. Over the course of the fall 2024 season, 15,823 student-athletes competed in sanctioned trap, skeet, sporting clays and five-stand leagues around the country—a 7% increase over last year’s total.
For reference, there were 14,708 student-athletes that competed in the USA Clay Target League’s fall season in 2023.
The record-setting participation numbers reveals the growing interest in clay target competition among secondary and postsecondary students.
“Athletes and parents want safe, school-based, non-traditional outdoor activities in which to participate,” USA Clay Target League President John Nelson said about the uptick in league participation numbers this fall.
With overall participation in high school sports in the U.S. hitting an all-time high during the 2023-2024 school year, the USA Clay Target League offers an alternative to traditional pastimes like baseball, basketball and football.
In 2024, more than 13,000 new student-athletes joined the USA Clay Target League through their school teams. Plus, there were more than 1,800 registered student-athletes from 456 high schools that competed at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship held in Michigan this past July.
Before they are allowed to compete, all USA Clay Target League student-athletes are required to complete firearm safety certification.
The USA Clay Target League “is the only youth clay target shooting sports program that requires approval from the school for teams to be allowed to participate,” Nelson said to Shooting Sports USA contributor Maggie Kelch in an August 2024 interview.
Additionally, all of the USA Clay Target League’s programs are co-ed, as well as adaptive to the needs of student-athletes. Men and women compete together on the same teams, and students with physical disabilities are welcome to take part in the competitions offered by the organization.
“The USA Clay Target League’s school-approved programs provide a sense of team, belonging and camaraderie without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports,” Nelson added.
One possible explanation for the USA Clay Target League’s success, besides the shared joy of shattering clay targets, is a deep network of coaches, parents and available shooting ranges.
Another reason—the opportunity to earn college scholarship money. “Tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the League and post-secondary institutions each year,” according to a recent USA Clay Target League press release.
Perhaps that’s the reason why a whopping 92% of USA Clay Target League student-athletes consider pursuing further education after high school.
Find out more about the USA Clay Target League at usaclaytarget.com.
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