This past week I spent time at a school sporting event in my district. There were proud parents and family members on hand to cheer on the student-athletes.

School officials were present to watch the competition and represent the school. A number of residents from the community also turned out to offer their steadfast support.

Pictured: NY Senator James L. Seward poses with the Gilbertsville Mount Upton Clay Raiders. (Submitted photo)

The student-athletes themselves were an impressive group. It was clear that they have put in hours of practice and worked hard to develop their skills.

I perceived a strong camaraderie between team members and coaches alike.

While some of the athletes performed better than others, no one team member was more valuable than another and it was clear that there were no superstar attitudes.

During the spring sports season in New York State, our high schools are competing in a number of terrific sports – baseball, softball, lacrosse, golf, tennis, and track and field.

This competition was none of those. The event I took in was clay trap shooting and the team from Gilbertsville Mount-Upton Central School is known as the Clay Raiders.

The Clay Raiders are one of 83 teams competing as part of the New York State High School Clay Target League. This is Gilbertsville Mount-Upton’s first year of competition, but after meeting with the students and others involved, I am certain it is not their last.

While the team is affiliated with the school, it is really the brainchild of the Gilbertsville Rod and Gun Club. Club members researched the possibility of starting a team, presented the idea to the school’s board of education and, after receiving school approval, set to work on turning their idea into a reality.

Competitions take place at the Gilbertsville Rod and Gun Club and the team is supported financially by local businesses and other organizations.

Team members undergo rigorous safety training before they ever set foot on the range to take part in competition.

According to the New York State High School Clay Target League website: “All student athletes are required to complete and submit certificates for either one of two League-approved firearm safety certification programs – a state-approved hunter education certificate or the League’s SAFE Certification.

Teams should verify the firearm safety training certification requirements with the shooting range where they will be conducting League events. Student athletes cannot shoot at an event on a team at any time without a League-approved firearm safety certificate.”

As I watched the competition, it was extremely clear that safety comes first. Each student-athlete showed tremendous respect and the club members and others on hand were also vigilant of safety rules.

The Gilbertsville Mount-Upton squad is comprised of eleven student athletes. The team is co-ed and both boys and girls were showing off their marksmanship skills on the night I attended.
Speaking with members of the rod and gun club who organized the team, I was impressed to learn of their main goals. Safety and fun are the priorities along with teaching the young men and women about sportsmanship and respect for the outdoors. Winning was not even discussed.

One other clay target team in my senate district, at McGraw High School, is also competing for the first time this spring. The team started in similar fashion with the help of local sportsmen, and I look forward to visiting with them and observing their progress in a few weeks.

At a time when Second Amendment rights and sporting traditions are not priorities for many Albany politicians, I am proud to represent individuals who understand their importance and want to see them carry on.

I would invite any of my legislative colleagues to watch a competition and talk to the students and coaches involved – perhaps they would gain a new perspective on firearm use.

For anyone interested in starting a team of their own, the New York State High School Clay Target League website has all the details at www.nyclaytarget.com.