There are 15,823 student-athletes participating in USA Clay Target League programs this fall, an increase of seven percent over 2023.
For the 2024 fall season, USA Clay Target League student-athletes are competing on 990 high school, college and homeschool teams nationwide, which is an increase of more than 1,000 student-athletes and 117 additional teams when compared to fall participation last year.
Since the 2022 fall season, USA Clay Target League participation has risen almost 18 percent. In 2023, there were 14,708 student-athletes that competed in the USA Clay Target League’s fall season, and during the same period in 2022 there were 13,214 student-athletes.
“There are thousands of under-served students that want a sense of team, belonging and camaraderie without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports,” USA Clay Target League President John Nelson said. “Parents want school-based outdoor activities for their students. The League’s school-approved programs provide both with safe, fun and engaging opportunities to participate.”
In addition, more than 52,000 student-athletes on 1,795 high school, college and homeschool teams competed in USA Clay Target League trap, skeet, sporting clays and five-stand leagues during the 2023-2024 school year.
Every USA Clay Target League secondary and postsecondary school team must have school approval to participate. Many of these schools have lettering programs, along with yearbook inclusion for the teams.
“This year more than 13,000 new athletes joined the League through their school’s teams,” Nelson said. “In the League there are no benchwarmers—everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches and parents that make teams flourish.”
Learn more about the USA Clay Target League at usaclaytarget.com.
