Athletics: Deiniolen teenager's Olympic dream

Aug 14 2008 By Alex Hickey

A TRIGGER-HAPPY teenager has fired his way into the Wales clay shooting squad and now has one eye on Olympic glory.

Deiniolen boy Stephen Lee Jones has been selected for the national side after coming out tops in the junior section after a gruelling series of qualifiers.

The 16-year-old took part in eight rounds held in venues across the country to realise his dream of wearing the red shooting jacket.

The former Ysgol Brynrefail pupil’s achievement is all the more remarkable because he only took up the sport after a chance to shoot at the Anglesey Show in 2003 – and as he is only able to attend his nearest gun club, in Glan Conwy, at weekends.

Normally to have any hope of getting in to the squad, shooters have to be out on the gun range seven days a week.

Stephen said he was delighted to have made the cut and is looking forward to his first international tournament, to be held in London, at the end of this month.

"It was very hard to get into the squad as we had eight qualifiers and I had to beat five other juniors to make it," he added.

When the Herald spoke to him last week he was not wallowing in glory, despite his achievement.

The prospect of representing his country for the first time was not causing him any sleepless nights either.

In fact he had no idea who would be taking part in the event.

"I don’t really know who will be there I just go and shoot," he added.

For the record all the home nations would be taking part.

His refreshingly innocent attitude comes from a deep love of the sport.

"I have always wanted to shoot. I started off with air rifles and when I was 11 dad took me to the Anglesey show. When I saw the clay pigeon stand, I asked him if I could have a go he said yes and I shot 10 out of 10. The man at the stand said I could make money out of the sport so after that my dad bought me a shotgun licence."

Five years on and he has realised two dreams – to shoot and shoot for Wales – he is now turning his mind to the next one.

"I want to take part in the (London 2012) Olympics," he said.

If determination was the sole qualification then he could book his train ticket now.

However dad, John Wyn Jones, although fully supportive of Stephen, acknowledges the difficulty of reaching that goal.

"To reach Olympic standard he really needs to be shooting every day, and as the nearest club is in Glan Conwy, that is pretty difficult at the minute," he said.

John, who works seven days a week to help fund his son’s travel, equipment and accommodation costs, during the season, would also like to see the sport get more funding locally.

"It is a very expensive hobby and costs thousands of pounds a year, in travel costs alone. It would be good if he could get funding locally but all he is entitled to for reaching the Wales squad is about £100 from Gwynedd Council."

But despite that he remained enormously proud of his son’s achievement so far, and cautiously optimistic about his future prospects.

Any individual or organisation interested in sponsoring Stephen could contact John on 07748 438 849.