The ESSU is the Governing Body for Small-bore and Airgun shooting in England.

There are currently approximately 350 members, covering all the disciplines of small-bore rifle, small-bore pistol, air rifle and air pistol shooting. The main purpose of the ESSU is to select the small-bore teams to compete in the Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships held every two years and in the Commonwealth Games held every four years.

In February each year for over 25 years the ESSU has sent airweapons teams to The Netherlands to compete in InterShoot , one of the largest airgun championships in the world. This is held at the beginning of February each year in Den Haag. In addition, the ESSU selects the English teams and officials that compete in the NSRA Home Countries International Matches at Bisley and Scotland. From time to time the ESSU selects representative teams to take part in matches against the Combined Services and the Army/Police UK Teams. (All team members and officials must be members of the ESSU).

A copy of the ESSU Selection Procedure can be obtained from the Hon. Secretary Frank Balcombe (see Contact Us) or can be downloaded from the Membership section.

Our biggest event each year is the ESSU Open Meeting & Confined English Shooting Championships for Rifle, Pistol and Airgun held at Bisley during the May Bank Holiday weekend. The ESSU also runs postal competitions in the Spring and Autumn of each year, for prone rifle and air pistol. Members receive details of these with our quarterly Newsletters.

We hope that this will give you an idea of what the ESSU is all about and that you will wish to join us! For a copy of the Membership Application - please see the Membership section.