Based in Norfolk, Pellpax is a nationally recognised company, led by a strong ethos of giving something back to the community. Sponsorship of twenty-year-old Amy Brown, an exceptionally talented Olympic skeet shooter from Newcastle upon Tyne, is one way in which Pellpax helps to nurture the future of British shooting sports.
Darren Kirk, Pellpax Managing Director, explains: “Occasionally you stumble across someone with an exceptional talent or skill. Left un-nurtured, that talent may blossom, or it may not get the chance to grow to its full potential. Sometimes all it needs is some help – a little push, or encouragement. We feel that, in some small way, we can help those who have the potential to be the stars of the future.”
The first step on Amy’s shooting career ladder was success at the Target Tokyo trials, after being scouted by an APSI (Association of Professional Shooting Instructors) coach during the summer of 2015. Since then, she has competed in national competitions all over the UK, and in international events in Holland, Serbia, Málaga, the UK, and Malta. Amy’s performance at the 2017 International Malta Grand Prix was testament to her enormous capacity for focus and perseverance; knocked back by illness, she won bronze, just days after being discharged from hospital.
Amy says, “Winning a bronze medal at the International Malta Grand Prix last year was my proudest moment to date. I came back after illness and persevered through the entire competition. I came third in my first ever senior competition.”
Amy is a student at The University of Northumbria. Juggling higher education with a sporting career isn’t easy, but Amy’s tutors have always been sympathetic to her athletic commitments, and this support from Northumbria University has been extended to a Performance Athlete Scholarship. Her daily routine involves a tight schedule of lectures and seminars, fitness training with the university sports team, and shooting practice with her coach, Iain McGregor, one of the most highly qualified and experienced shotgun coaches in the UK.
Amy talks about the logistics of balancing study and training: “I take my work with me and complete assignments whilst I’m away training. The university are extremely understanding with this, and we work together to fit my academic studies in with my training.”
But intense training comes with financial cost.
“Pellpax have made all the difference,” says Amy. “I use approximately 1200 cartridges per month, and they’re expensive, so the harder I train, the higher the cost.”
Pellpax supplies Amy with Hull Pro One cartridges, which deliver such high performance that they have been selected by the World Class Performance Programme as the Olympic training load.
Pellpax contributes to Amy’s travel costs, too. “There are plenty of competitions I couldn’t have attended without their help.”
During training and competitions, Amy wears Pellpax clothing, and gives a glowing review of the warm sweatshirts and joggers that she has been enjoying during this winter’s low temperatures.
“There’s a strict training regime at the university, which has continued throughout the cold weather and heavy snow. My warm Pellpax clothing has been wonderful!”
Training to be a world champion, as well as studying for a university degree, might be enough on most people’s plate – but Amy is an exceptional lady. Together with her younger sister, Erin, she co-ordinates a ladies’ and girls’ shooting club. Proceeds from monthly meetings are donated to charities such as Bloodwise, an organisation striving to defeat all 137 types of blood cancer, and the Great North Air Ambulance.
This year, Pellpax’s Golden Girl will be shooting at international competitions in Malta, Italy, and Spain. And after that?
There is no hesitation from Amy: “I want to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. That’s my dream.” Then she adds, “I’m enjoying the journey towards it. I’m training hard and meeting so many people. It’s a really nice experience.”
… And Pellpax will be with her all the way.
If you are interested in providing further sponsorship for Amy, please contact Amy at [email protected].
