Sport Wales National Centre
Earlier this month, 18-year-old Olivia Hill, who is sponsored by Pellpax, took part in the Welsh Open Airgun Championships at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.
This huge sporting facility, owned and operated by Sport Wales, was opened in 1971. The project began 10 years earlier, when the Welsh Committee of the Central Council of Physical Recreation carried out a survey of existing sporting facilities in Wales. In 1965, the Sports Council for Wales was formed, and construction of the National Sports Centre for Wales (which in 2010 became Sport Wales National Centre) began in 1969.
Medals for Olivia
Olivia performed well in the three-day event, qualifying for a place in the final on each day’s shoot.
On the second day – the Saturday – Olivia was already at the firing point when she realised that she needed to adjust her rifle’s butt-plate to suit her natural point of aim. Olivia went to her kit bag and made the necessary adjustments, returning to the range 20 minutes later. In order to complete the shoot in time, Olivia could now afford very little time between shots.
Despite having to deal with technical difficulties, Olivia qualified for the final and finished third for a bronze medal.
On the Sunday, Olivia once again qualified for the final, and won another bronze medal.
For a great finish to the weekend, Olivia and her two team-mates, Amy Lott and Michaela Green, won gold in the team event. Nicknamed “The Three Musketeers”, these ladies really are a force to be reckoned with!
Success for Olivia in 2019
It’s been a great year for Olivia. So far in 2019, this talented young shooter from Norfolk has competed in numerous national and international competitions:
- February: At the Intershoot, Holland, the GB Talent Squad Junior Ladies’ team (Olivia Hill, Emily Bale, and Phoebe Taylor) won silver in the team event.
- April: At the ESSU (English Smallbore Shooting Union) Championships at Bisley, UK, Olivia finished 2nd in the open event. As the highest-scoring junior, Olivia won the title of English Junior 10m Air Rifle Champion.
- July: The Junior World Cup in Suhl, Germany, was Olivia’s first Junior World Cup.
- August: Novi Sad Grand Prix, Serbia.
In November, Olivia will be competing in the Surrey Open at Bisley, and in the Norfolk County Championships at South Norfolk Air Rifle and Pistol Club.
Keep up to date with Olivia’s shooting career on Instagram.
Photographs courtesy of Lisa Hill and Gaynor Warren
